3D-printed zirconia in dentistry: a bibliometric analysis of global research trends

Mesut Tuzlalı; Nagehan Baki; Nazik İrem Önügören; İrem Sarkaya; Esma Başak Gül Aygün

doi:10.32322/jhsm.1847310

3D-printed zirconia in dentistry: a bibliometric analysis of global research trends

Abstract

Aims: Three-dimensional (3D) printing of zirconia is an emerging domain in digital dentistry; however, its global research landscape, collaboration structure, and thematic focus have not been comprehensively mapped. The aim of this study was to characterize scientific output, collaboration patterns, citation impact, and major research themes in publications on 3D-printed zirconia in dentistry. Methods: A Web of Science Core Collection (WoS-CC) Topic Search was conducted in December 2025 using terms related to zirconia, additive manufacturing/3D printing, and dental applications. Of 584 retrieved records, 185 eligible articles on 3D-printed zirconia for dental use (2009–2025) were included. Descriptive indicators were calculated (annual production, journals, countries, institutions, authors, and citations). Co-authorship and keyword co-occurrence networks were generated with VOSviewer to visualize collaboration and identify thematic clusters. Results: Publication activity increased sharply after 2019, with 128/185 publications (69.2%) published in 2023–2025. Most documents were original research articles (n=159) or reviews (n=26); no case reports were identified in WoS-CC. The 185 articles involved 730 authors from 38 countries and were published in 48 journals. China and the United States were leading contributors. Network analyses identified three interconnected themes: digital/additive manufacturing workflows, implantprosthodontic applications, and biomechanical or accuracy-based evaluation. Evidence was predominantly in vitro and laboratory-based, with limited clinical data. Conclusion: Research on 3D-printed zirconia in dentistry is rapidly expanding but concentrated in a small set of countries, institutions, and journals. Future studies should prioritize clinical investigations and standardized reporting of printing and post-processing parameters to support translation into predictable outcomes.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None.

Ethical Statement

This study is a bibliometric analysis based exclusively on publicly available, aggregated bibliographic records retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. It did not involve human participants, animals, or identifiable personal data. Therefore, ethical approval and informed consent were not required, and no Ethics Committee application was submitted

Thanks

None.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Dental Materials

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Mesut Tuzlalı ^*
0000-0002-7602-8101
Türkiye

Nagehan Baki
0000-0002-3221-4543
Türkiye

Nazik İrem Önügören
0000-0002-5770-9163
Türkiye

İrem Sarkaya
0009-0005-0460-4834
Türkiye

Esma Başak Gül Aygün
0000-0002-9475-4035
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 12, 2026

Submission Date

December 23, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 14, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1847310

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA63CS46TR

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Tuzlalı, M., Baki, N., Önügören, N. İ., Sarkaya, İ., & Gül Aygün, E. B. (2026). 3D-printed zirconia in dentistry: a bibliometric analysis of global research trends. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 9(2), 452-461. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1847310

AMA

1.Tuzlalı M, Baki N, Önügören Nİ, Sarkaya İ, Gül Aygün EB. 3D-printed zirconia in dentistry: a bibliometric analysis of global research trends. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9(2):452-461. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1847310

Chicago

Tuzlalı, Mesut, Nagehan Baki, Nazik İrem Önügören, İrem Sarkaya, and Esma Başak Gül Aygün. 2026. “3D-Printed Zirconia in Dentistry: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 (2): 452-61. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1847310.

EndNote

Tuzlalı M, Baki N, Önügören Nİ, Sarkaya İ, Gül Aygün EB (March 1, 2026) 3D-printed zirconia in dentistry: a bibliometric analysis of global research trends. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 2 452–461.

IEEE

[1]M. Tuzlalı, N. Baki, N. İ. Önügören, İ. Sarkaya, and E. B. Gül Aygün, “3D-printed zirconia in dentistry: a bibliometric analysis of global research trends”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 452–461, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.32322/jhsm.1847310.

ISNAD

Tuzlalı, Mesut - Baki, Nagehan - Önügören, Nazik İrem - Sarkaya, İrem - Gül Aygün, Esma Başak. “3D-Printed Zirconia in Dentistry: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9/2 (March 1, 2026): 452-461. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1847310.

JAMA

1.Tuzlalı M, Baki N, Önügören Nİ, Sarkaya İ, Gül Aygün EB. 3D-printed zirconia in dentistry: a bibliometric analysis of global research trends. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9:452–461.

MLA

Tuzlalı, Mesut, et al. “3D-Printed Zirconia in Dentistry: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 9, no. 2, Mar. 2026, pp. 452-61, doi:10.32322/jhsm.1847310.

Vancouver

1.Mesut Tuzlalı, Nagehan Baki, Nazik İrem Önügören, İrem Sarkaya, Esma Başak Gül Aygün. 3D-printed zirconia in dentistry: a bibliometric analysis of global research trends. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026 Mar. 1;9(2):452-61. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1847310