Current bibliometric analyses of the evolving trends in research scope category across different time periods using the H-classics method in implantology are considerably limited. The purpose of this study was to identify the classic articles in implantology to analyse bibliometric characteristics and associated factors in implantology for the past four decades. H-Classics in implantology were identified within four time periods between 1977 and 2016, based on the h-index from the Scopus database. For each article, the principal bibliometric parameters of authorship, geographic origin, country origin, and institute origin, collaboration, centralisation, article type, scope of study and other associated factors were analysed in four time periods. A significant increase in mean numbers of authors per H-Classics was found across time. Both Europe and North America were the most productive region/country and steadily dominated this field in each time period. Collaborations of author, internationally and inter-institutionally had significantly increased across time. A significant decentralisation in authorships, institutes and journals was noted in past four decades. The journal of Clinical Oral Implant Researches has raised its importance for almost 30 years (1987-2016). Research on Complications, peri-implant infection/pathology/therapy had been increasing in production throughout each period. This is the first study to evaluate research trends in implantology in the past 40 years using the H-classics method, which through analysing via principle bibliometric characteristics reflected a historical perspective on evolutionary mainstream in the field. Prominence of research regarding complications may forecast innovative advancements in future.

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Background/purpose Inadequacy to locate the second mesiobuccal canal (MB2) canal leads to the highest probability of endodontic failure in permanent maxillary first molars (PMFMs) and still remains a constant challenge for many clinicians. The aim of this study was to characterize the geometrical features between MB2 and other orifices of examined PMFMs using cone-beam computed tomography images. Materials and methods A total of 108 teeth qualified in the cone-beam computed tomography image archives were enrolled in the present study. The intersecting point (T) was determined as the perpendicular line (h, altitude of triangle) projected from the vertex of the MB2 canal orifice to mesiobuccal canal orifice-palatal canal orifice line (MB1-P). We measured the geometric features of PMFMs with the MB2 canal, including the interorifice distances, area, altitude, and the ratio between the canal orifices. Results The average interorifice distance was found to be 1.91 ± 0.59 mm for MB1-MB2, 5.73 ± 0.66 mm for MB1-P, and 4.11 ± 0.79 mm for MB2-P, with significant gender difference for MB1-MB2 distance. For the MB1-T distance, a significant difference was found between genders (P = 0.02), with males averaging 1.78 ± 0.07 mm, and females 1.48 ± 0.11 mm. For the MB1-P distance, the majorities of both genders were found in the 20–40% cut-off. A portion of the males exhibited a tendency towards the 40–80% cut-off, while females shifted in the reverse direction towards the 0–20% cut-off. Conclusion In clinical scenarios, these anatomical characteristics of the root canals system could be beneficial to locating the MB2 canal.

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Background: Citation analysis can provide a historical perspective in the advancement of research, evolution, and areas of research. Taiwan exhibits rigorous academic and scientific activities in dentistry; however, based on its empirical contribution in research, there is no report in the literature analyzing the top-cited articles published by authors affiliated with Taiwan institutes. The purpose of this study was to analyze the citation characteristics of the top 100 most-cited articles published in dentistry with author(s) affiliated with Taiwan institutes. Methods: The Scopus database was used to search the qualified articles with authors from Taiwan published in journals. The bibliometric parameters, including year of publication, study design, research fields, citation half-life, self-citation, institute of origin, and international collaboration were analyzed. Multivariable linear regression in generalized linear model was used to find associate factors related to trends of citation counts. Results: The top 100 most-cited articles were determined by analyzing 7667 articles from the Scopus database. The steadily increasing trends were observed in the number and percentage of articles of author(s) affiliated with Taiwan institutes to the world. The most common study design was the in vitro research (55 %). The majority citation half-life is 3-5 and 6-8 years, and self-citation counts were between one to five times (n = 26). The percentage of international collaboration of these most-cited articles was 32%, and the main collaboration country was the United States. By using multivariable linear regression in the generalized linear model, the associated factors, study design, and self-citation were significantly associated with the escalating trends of citation counts. Conclusion: This is the first study that provides valuable information in the dentistry regarding the academic activity, and empirical contribution of author(s) affiliated with Taiwan institutes in the world. The trends of citation characteristics were significantly correlated with study design and self-citation of these articles.