Reconstructive surgery to restore oral and facial structures lost because of trauma, disease, or birth defects has benefited from advances in regenerative medicine and the development of new materials. However, critical issues remain in order to provide patients with successful and enduring outcomes. The face one presents to the world is composed of complex tissues, and these tissues must interface both esthetically and functionally. Scar formation is not only visually disfiguring; it also mechanically distorts the surrounding tissues, compromising the intended outcome. Trauma and disease can also affect the soft tissues underlying skin, including muscle and fat, further limiting the success of the therapy. The need to restore the oral tissues such as the mucosa and the gingiva that cover the roots of the teeth is as important as the outward visage. These tissues contribute to maintenance of oral health and nutrition, in addition to their role in the emotional health of the patient. This symposium will include discussion of scar mitigation, the problem of facial fat wasting and replacement, and tissue engineering mucosal and gingival tissues.