Myofunctional therapy: a bibliometric study of the most cited 50 articles

Abstract Aim The objective of this bibliometric analysis was to provide an overview of the current literature status of myofunctional therapy and to assist practitioners and researchers to make clinically relevant decisions and to foster collaborations by mapping out bibliographic information. Methods A literature search was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection through the electronic library of Ege University by applying the query “(TS = (myofunctional therapy OR dental myofunctional therapy OR myofunctional treatment OR myofunctional appliance)).” The 50 most-cited articles were analysed in September 2024 using VOSviewer software to assess parameters associated with authorship, the country of origin, academic institutions, and keywords, so that the interrelationships could be mapped. Results The 50 most-cited articles, authored by a total of 227 researchers, were published between 1998 and 2022, and attracted a cumulative total of 2483 citations. According to the Web of Science (WoS) categories, most of the publications were classified under Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine , followed by Clinical Neurology . The United States was the country with the highest number of citations, while Stanford University emerged as the institution with the greatest number of frequently cited works. Conclusion This bibliometric analysis highlights the increasing research interest in myofunctional therapy and its role in addressing a malocclusion, obstructive sleep apnoea, and other orofacial conditions. While international collaboration is growing, limited cross-specialty integration remains, emphasising the need for more interdisciplinary studies and randomised controlled trials to strengthen evidence-based practices.