Advancing Tissue Engineering Therapies via Testing in a Clinically Relevant Craniofacial Defect Model

Abstract
Oro-antral communication (OAC) defects (unnatural openings created between the mouth and the sinus) frequently occur in dentistry and oral maxillofacial surgery as an adverse consequence of complicated extractions, malignancies, or trauma. While alternative surgical or regenerative approaches are of interest to improve functional patient outcomes, there are no widely accepted preclinical models of OAC defects to rigorously test new therapies. Therefore, we have created a new pre-clinical model of OAC which mimics the human condition with failed bone healing at 8 weeks. With this model, we are testing therapeutic delivery systems and regenerative strategies to promote bone and soft tissue regeneration in OAC defects. I will review our ongoing efforts to promote bone regeneration in this challenging craniofacial defect model.

Learning Objectives
1). Understand the current limitations for development of regenerative strategies in craniofacial defect models
2). Learn what new biomaterials are available for testing in the pre-clinical setting
3). Appreciate how focusing on clinically relevant craniofacial defect models can infuse new regenerative strategies into pre-clinical development