Innovations in Clinical Maxillofacial Tissue Engineering and Reconstruction: Cellular Bone Matrix Allografts, Autografts, and Growth Factors

Reconstruction of craniomaxillofacial (CMF) bony defects requires individualized strategies based on defect characteristics and graft bed biology, with traditional approaches relying on autogenous non-vascularized bone grafts or vascularized free flaps that, while reliable, are associated with donor-site morbidity and operative complexity. Biologically driven reconstructive strategies, including tissue engineering, cellular bone matrix allografts (CBMs), and growth factor adjuncts, have emerged as alternatives or complements to autograft-based reconstruction. This review introduces and details these new innovations with emphasis on the current literature, thus empowering surgeons to enhance their clinical armamentarium.