Current State, Pioneering Studies and Future Trends in Orthodontic bonding: A Bibliometric Analysis

Objectives: Orthodontic bonding plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment. This study aims to perform a bibliometric analysis of research in this field, identifying key contributors, influential studies, and emerging trends.

Materials and methods: A systematic search was conducted in the Web of Science (WoS) database for articles published between 1981 and 2023 using specific orthodontic bonding-related keywords. From 1,856 articles retrieved, 1,497 met the inclusion criteria. Bibliometric analyses were performed using VOSviewer software, focusing on coauthorship, co-occurrence, and citation patterns. The analysis evaluated the productivity of authors, institutions, countries, and journals and mapped frequently used keywords.

Results: The USA emerged as the leading country in publications and citations, followed by Turkey and Brazil. The University of Iowa was identified as the most productive institution. Samir E. Bishara was the most prolific and cited author. The study revealed a growing focus on topics such as shear bond strength, self-etch primers, and antimicrobial adhesives. The American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics was the most influential journal, with the highest number of key publications.

Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis provides valuable insights into the orthodontic bonding literature, highlighting significant contributions and trends. Although limited to WoS and English-language publications, the study offers a comprehensive perspective on the field's development and suggests potential areas for future research.