Evolution of clinical evidence in third molar surgery: Insights from a bibliometric analysis

To conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research trends, influential contributors, and evolving themes in third molar surgery over the past two decades. A bibliometric analysis was performed on clinical studies related to third molar extraction published between 2004 and 2024. Eligible English-language articles focusing on human subjects were retrieved from the Scopus database. Key indicators included publication volume, citation counts, authorship, institutional affiliation, country of origin, keywords, co-authorship and co-citation networks. Data were analyzed using the bibliometrix R package and biblioshiny interface. Annual publications rose from 11 in 2004–89 in 2024, peaking between 2019 and 2021. The most-cited paper, by Ghaeminia et al. (2009), received 187 citations. Spain and Brazil were the most productive countries, with the University of Barcelona leading institutionally. Dominant keywords included postoperative pain, swelling, trismus, dexamethasone, and ibuprofen. Thematic evolution revealed a shift from basic topics like “third molar surgery” to newer focuses such as “cone-beam computed tomography” and “bone regeneration.” The U.S. served as a central collaborator, although global cooperation remained limited in certain regions. This study demonstrates the expanding scope and diversification of third molar surgery research. The findings underscore the growing importance of advanced diagnostics, personalized treatments, and international collaboration in advancing clinical practices.