Twenty-five Years of Nickel–Titanium Instrument Research in Endodontics: a Bibliometric Analysis of the 150 Most-cited Articles

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to identify the 150 most-cited articles related to nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments and to evaluate the influence of authors, institutions, and countries in shaping research trends in this field. Material and Methods A comprehensive search was conducted through the Web of Science Core Collection. Data extracted from each article included title, total citations, publication year, study design, country of origin, co-authorship patterns, and bibliographic coupling. VOSviewer software was applied to visualize collaboration networks and keyword relationships. Results The selected articles accumulated a total of 19.790 citations, with individual citation counts ranging from 68 to 637. A significant proportion (n = 92) achieved over 100 citations. The year 2012 yielded the highest number of highly cited publications (n = 13). The United States, Italy, and Brazil were leading contributors to the literature. The University of Zurich and Sapienza University of Rome produced the most frequently cited works. Most studies were laboratory-based (n = 133), with common keywords including “nickel-titanium”, “cyclic fatigue”, and “nickel-titanium instruments”. Conclusion This bibliometric analysis highlights major contributions and evolving trends in NiTi instrument research within endodontics. The high citation impact reflects the critical role of NiTi innovations in advancing endodontic practice and sustaining strong academic interest.

Keywords

• bibliometric analysis
• citations
• cyclic fatigue
• dental technology
• nickel titanium instruments
• root canal instruments

Endodonti'de Nikel-Titanyum Enstrüman Araştırmalarının Yirmi Beş Yılı: En Çok Atıf alan 150 Makalenin Bibliyometrik Analizi

Öz

Amaç Bu çalışmanın amacı, nikel-titanyum (NiTi) enstrümanlarıyla ilgili en çok atıf alan 150 makaleyi belirlemek ve bu alandaki araştırma eğilimlerinin şekillenmesinde yazarlar, kurumlar ve ülkelerin etkisini değerlendirmektir. Gereç ve Yöntemler Web of Science Core Collection veritabanında kapsamlı bir arama yapılmıştır. Her makaleden elde edilen veriler arasında başlık, toplam atıf sayısı, yayın yılı, çalışma tasarımı, kaynak ülke, ortak yazarlık örüntüleri ve bibliyografik eşleşme analizleri yer almıştır. İş birliği ağlarını ve anahtar kelime ilişkilerini görselleştirmek amacıyla VOSviewer yazılımı kullanılmıştır. Bulgular Seçilen makaleler toplam 19.790 atıf almıştır ve bireysel atıf sayıları 68 ile 637 arasında değişmiştir. Önemli bir kısmı (n = 92) 100’ün üzerinde atıf almıştır. En fazla atıf alan makalenin yayımlandığı yıl 2012’dir (n = 13). Literatüre en fazla katkı sağlayan ülkeler Amerika Birleşik Devletleri, İtalya ve Brezilya olmuştur. En çok atıf alan çalışmaları üreten kurumlar arasında Zürih Üniversitesi ve Roma Sapienza Üniversitesi öne çıkmıştır. Çalışmaların büyük çoğunluğu laboratuvar temellidir (n = 133) ve yaygın kullanılan anahtar kelimeler arasında “nickel-titanium”, “cyclic fatigue”, ve “nickel-titanium instruments” yer almaktadır. Sonuç Bu bibliyometrik analiz, endodontide NiTi enstrüman araştırmalarındaki önemli katkıları ve gelişen eğilimleri ortaya koymaktadır. Yüksek atıf etkisi, NiTi yeniliklerinin endodontik uygulamayı geliştirmedeki kritik rolünü ve alana yönelik akademik ilgiyi sürdürdüğünü göstermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• atıflar
• bibliyometrik analiz
• dental teknoloji
• döngüsel yorgunluk
• kök kanal enstrümanları
• nikel titanyum enstrümanları

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