Evolution of Scientific Trends in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the Last Decade

Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) has undergone rapid scientific evolution over the past decade, driven by technological innovation and growing interdisciplinary collaboration. This study presents a comprehensive scientometric and bibliometric analysis of global OMFS research output from 2015 to 2024.

A systematic search of PubMed was conducted using OMFS-specific keywords and MeSH terms. Approximately 10,000 eligible publications were identified and analyzed using Bibliometrix (R) and VOSviewer. Annual publication trends, geographic distribution, and topic-specific growth dynamics were evaluated.

Annual OMFS publication output increased from 1200 articles in 2015 to over 2200 in 2024, reflecting a compound growth rate of approximately 10% to 15% per year. The United States and China were the leading contributors, followed by Germany, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. Topic analysis revealed sustained growth in implantology and oncology, while research in artificial intelligence and digital surgery demonstrated exponential expansion, rising from <2% of total OMFS output in 2015 to ∼18% by 2024-a near 20-fold increase. Established fields including orthognathic surgery, craniomaxillofacial trauma, and temporomandibular joint disorders showed moderate but consistent growth.

OMFS research has undergone both quantitative growth and marked qualitative transformation. The rise of artificial intelligence, digital surgical workflows, and patient-reported outcome research signals a paradigm shift in the specialty. These findings provide a strategic evidence base for future research prioritization and clinical development in OMFS.