Novel Scanning Characterization Approaches for the Accurate Understanding and Successful Treatment of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologies

Understanding in detail the modifications that occur in biological tissues during the progression of oral and maxillofacial pathologies requires the use of complementary scanning microscopy techniques. Optical imaging modalities such as multiphoton microscopy (MPM), Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopy (CARS), Reflectance Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (RCLSM), or optical coherence tomography (OCT) can thus be of great help for improving diagnosis, as they can visualize morphological features and provide information on biochemical modifications specific to various health states. Further on, these techniques can be used in tandem with other complex imaging tools, including Micro-CT, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), or Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), to shed light over the interactions that take place between soft tissues and advanced materials that are used in various therapeutic approaches, such as micro- and nanostructured polymers, ceramics, and metallic materials. These techniques have applications in diagnostics, theranostics, restorative and regenerative medicine, prosthetics, and other relevant biomedical tasks. Furthermore, to achieve a better understanding of oral and maxillofacial pathologies, these characterization techniques can be coupled with 3D scanning (e.g., intraoral scanning) and 3D printing technologies that are widely used in the dental area, because of their immense benefits. For example, scanning physical models into digital 3D computer-aided (CAD) files to be used in designing and additive manufacturing (CAM) of various prosthetic pieces, and aiding dentists with easier treatment planning, improved communication with laboratories and reduced operative and treatment time. The purpose of this special issue is to present recent progress made in scanning-based tissue imaging, material design and synthesis, and tissue-material interactions, which are relevant with respect to the accurate understanding and successful treatment of oral and maxillofacial pathologies. A brief summary of published papers is provided below