New thematic focus is the dentistry with the research areas such as periodontal diseases, dental implants, oral pathology, and oral tissue engineering as well as oral and maxillofacial surgery.

The stomatognathic system is a functional unit characterized by several structures: skeletal components, dental arches, soft tissues, and the temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscles. These structures act in harmony to perform different functional tasks (to speak, to break food down into small pieces, and to swallow). On the other hand, the various components of the stomatognathic system influence one another. The restoration of function of the various components of the stomatognathic system is a major focus of research from different disciplines. For that reason stomatognathic diseases are treated by dentists, maxillofacial surgeons, and ear, nose, and throat specialists. Furthermore, the preservation of the masticatory muscles is nowadays also at the forefront of scientists.

The current special issue should summarize different research aspects on the highly topical field of tissue engineering and oral rehabilitation in head and neck area. The issue should present a wide range of findings from basic and clinical research with interdisciplinary contributors from clinics, specialist doctors, and biologists.

The preservation of the bone plays an important role both in dentistry and in otolaryngology. Both bone substitute materials as well as autologous bone play a role. Although these topics are explored for some time, there are always new aspects and improvements. Among other qualities of the bone, augmentation and surgical procedures play also an important role in the insertion of implants. Oral implantology is one of the fastest growing fields in oral rehabilitation. Awareness to esthetical consideration has been raised in recent years. It is no longer enough to only place the implant but also to predict successful prosthetic result and to preserve soft tissue that surrounds the implants. Furthermore, the function and composition of orofacial muscles are important for the maintenance of oral function. Patients with muscle diseases may suffer severe malocclusions, feeding difficulties, and weight loss, because of progressively impairing orofacial function. Furthermore, it is known that the loss of teeth is followed by functional loss of orofacial muscles. It is becoming evident that more data about the muscle regeneration process are needed to develop strategies for improving life quality of the patients.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Bone substitutes
• Oral implantology
• Esthetical considerations and soft tissue preservation in implant therapy
• Tissue engineering in dentistry and otolaryngology
• New technologies in oral therapy
• Orofacial muscle function
• Regeneration of orofacial peripheral nerves
• Molecular- and cellular-based techniques for tissue regeneration