Vital pulp therapy: A bibliometric analysis of the 100 most-cited articles from 1966 to 2022

Vital pulp therapy (VPT) aims to preserve dental pulp after injury and has gained significant popularity due to advancements in materials and understanding of pulp biology. While bibliometric analyses are common in various fields, none have been conducted specifically for the 100 most-cited articles on VPT.

This bibliometric study analyzed the 100 most-cited VPT papers using data from Web of Science (WoS-CC), Scopus, and Google Scholar. Articles were manually reviewed to extract key bibliometric data, including titles, citation counts, citation density, authorship, country of origin, publication year, journal, study design, and VPT type.

The articles collectively received 19,782 citations, with the oldest from 1966 and the most recent from 2019, having 803 and 104 citations, respectively. Key journals included the Journal of Endodontics, International Endodontic Journal, and Dental Materials. Review articles were the predominant study design, followed by clinical, laboratory, and basic research studies. Eight of the top 20 articles focused on the properties of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Torabinejad and Parirokh were notable contributors before 2010, while Duncan, Bjørndal, and Simon were prominent after 2010. VPT research has increased significantly post-2010, with a notable shift in focus from early studies on calcium hydroxide to more recent studies on MTA's biocompatibility and its use as a pulp capping agent.

This analysis provides a comprehensive list of the top 100 cited VPT articles, offering valuable insights for researchers, students, and clinicians. The study highlights key trends and influential contributions in the field of VPT research.