A Bibliometric Assessment of the Turkish Journal of Orthodontics after WoS Indexing

Objective: This study analyzed the publication characteristics, citation patterns, and research trends of the Turkish Journal of Orthodontics (TJO) since its Web of Science (WoS) indexing in 2017. Methods: A retrospective bibliometric analysis was conducted using data from the WoS Core Collection (2018-24) on April, 2025. Network analysis was performed using CiteSpace 6.3.R1 and VOSviewer 1.6.18. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze publication trends, authorship patterns, geographical distribution, and citation performance. Results: A total of 244 publications were analyzed, comprising 192 (78.7%) original articles, 27 (11.1%) reviews, eight (3.3%) systematic reviews, and 17 (7.0%) case reports. The journal achieved an h-index of 15, with 1408 total citations and an average of 5.77 citations per article. Türkiye contributed the most publications (58.2%), followed by India (16.8%), the USA (6.6%), and Iran (5.3%). International collaboration involved 39 countries, and the most-cited article received 32 citations. The gender distribution of authorship was closely balanced: 52.2% female and 47.8% male. 94.7% of publications were multi-authored, with an average of 3.5 authors per article. Keyword analysis revealed thematic clusters dominated by clear aligners, malocclusion, cone-beam computed tomography, and dental materials. Conclusion: TJO shows consistent growth in publication volume, expansion of international collaboration, and increases in citation impact since WoS indexing. The journal successfully captures emerging trends in clear aligners and rapid maxillary expansion while maintaining coverage of fundamental orthodontic topics. A strategic editorial evolution toward systematic reviews indicates a commitment to evidencebased practice. This bibliometric overview offers a data-driven foundation for future editorial decision-making and monitoring the journal's evolving role within orthodontic research.