Lasers in Dentistry: A Scientometric Study From 2014-2023.

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Laser technology has become essential in modern dentistry for diagnostics and therapeutics.
• Scientific literature on laser applications in dentistry has expanded considerably.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively and qualitatively analyze the scientific production on laser applications in dentistry.
• To examine trends, key players, and research themes in laser dentistry over the past decade.

Main Methods:

• Scientometric analysis of documents from the Web of Science database up to 2023.
• Quantitative and qualitative indicators analyzed using Excel and VOSviewer software.

Main Results:

• Steady growth in publications and a steeper rise in citations over the last ten years.
• Brazil, USA, and China are top producers; Brazil leads in top institutions.
• Key research areas include low-power laser therapy, antibacterial properties, implantology, restorative treatments, caries prevention, and pulp vitality assessment.

Conclusions:

• Research output and citation trends indicate growing interest and impact of lasers in dentistry.
• Identification of leading countries, institutions, journals, and authors provides insights into the field's landscape.
• Thematic analysis highlights key research clusters, guiding future research priorities and clinical practice.