Craniomaxillofacial bone defects are characterized by an irregular shape, bacterial and inflammatory environment, aesthetic requirements, and the need for the functional recovery of oral–maxillofacial areas. Conventional clinical treatments are currently unable to achieve high-quality craniomaxillofacial bone regeneration. Hydrogels are a class of multifunctional platforms made of polymers cross-linked with high water content, good biocompatibility, and adjustable physicochemical properties for the intelligent delivery of goods. These characteristics make hydrogel systems a bright prospect for clinical applications in craniomaxillofacial bone. In this review, we briefly demonstrate the properties of hydrogel systems that can come into effect in the field of bone regeneration. In addition, we summarize the hydrogel systems that have been developed for craniomaxillofacial bone regeneration in recent years. Finally, we also discuss the prospects in the field of craniomaxillofacial bone tissue engineering; these discussions can serve as an inspiration for future hydrogel design.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and efficacy of a new wireframe template methodology in analyzing three-dimensional facial soft tissue asymmetry. Materials and methods: Three-dimensional facial soft tissue data were obtained for 24 patients. The wireframe template was established by identifying 34 facial landmarks and then forming a template on the face with the MeshLab 2020 software. The angle asymmetry index was automatically scored using the template. The mirroring and overlapping technique is accepted as the golden standard method to diagnose facial asymmetry by acquiring deviation values of one’s face. Consistency rates between the two methodologies were determined through a statistical comparison of the angle asymmetry index and deviation values. Results: Overall consistency rates in the labial, mandibular angle, cheek, chin, and articular regions were 87.5%, 95.8%, 87.5%, 91.7%, and 100%, respectively. Regions with consistency rates in three dimensions of more than 85% are the x-axis and the z-axis of all regions and the y-axis of the mandibular angle, chin, and articular region. Conclusions: Soft tissue facial asymmetry can be diagnosed accurately and effectively by using a three-dimensional soft tissue spatial angle wireframe template. Precise localization of asymmetry can be offered, and indiscernible tiny asymmetry can be identified.

Repeatable acquisition of smiling and rest-related facial states is essential for longitudinal three-dimensional (3D) facial imaging, yet the effect of task instructions may depend on the state and measurement. This within-participant study compared conventional (CONV) and state-specific phoneme-guided (PHON) acquisition in 162 adults. For SMILE, CONV elicited a posed smile, whereas PHON used /tʃ/ articulation followed by maintenance of the resulting perioral configuration; for the REST-related condition, CONV elicited relaxed rest, whereas PHON used sustained /m/ to define a closed-lip reference configuration rather than unconstrained physiological rest. Each protocol–state condition was recorded twice. Within-session repeatability was characterized by absolute error between repeated acquisitions, technical error of measurement, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC(2,1)], and Bland–Altman agreement. State-specific protocol differences were assessed using paired Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Holm correction. During SMILE, PHON reduced median error for the 3D Sn–Gn distance (3.79 vs. 2.36 mm), interlabial distance (3.48 vs. 1.84 mm), and sagittal lip step (1.33 vs. 0.66 mm; adjusted p < 0.001), but increased commissure-distance error (1.50 vs. 1.89 mm; adjusted p = 0.007). During the REST-related condition, no prespecified linear outcome differed after correction. Phoneme guidance changed, rather than uniformly improved, repeatability, and its effect depended on facial state and outcome.