Silver diamine fluoride literature in dentistry: a bibliometric analysis

Aims: Minimally invasive approaches are increasingly important in modern dentistry. Due to the challenges associated with conventional restorative treatments in pediatric patients, silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has emerged as a painless and effective alternative for arresting carious lesions. This study aimed to analyze the scientific literature and research trends on SDF using a bibliometric approach. Methods: Data were retrieved from the Scopus database on 16 February 2026, covering the period 2010-2025 within the dentistry category. A title-based search using the query TITLE (“silver diamine fluoride” OR “SDF” OR “silver diamine”), restricted to English-language publications, identified 688 articles and reviews. Data were analyzed using Bibliometrix: Biblioshiny (University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy) within the RStudio (Posit Software, PBC, Boston, USA) environment. Results: A total of 688 publications were analyzed, showing an annual growth rate of 28.36% and peaking in 2025 (n=127). The studies included 2.309 authors, with an average of 4.9 authors per paper and an international collaboration rate of 25.15%. The leading journals were Journal of Dentistry, BMC Oral Health, and International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. The most productive authors were C.H. Chu and E.C.M. Lo. The United States had the highest publication output, while Hong Kong demonstrated the strongest international collaboration. Conclusion: Research on SDF has increased significantly in recent years, highlighting its important role in minimally invasive dentistry, particularly in pediatric populations. Current trends indicate that research activity in this field will continue to grow.