An Updated Scientometric Review of Thermographic-Infrared Changes During Surgical Osteotomy on Dental Implants: Dynamics, Emerging Patterns, and Collaboration

Aim: The application of thermographic-infrared analysis during dental implant osteotomies has gained interest due to its relevance in monitoring thermal changes that affect osseointegration and implant success. However, a comprehensive bibliometric synthesis of this niche is lacking. We aimed to perform an updated scientometric review of thermographic-infrared studies related to surgical osteotomy in dental implantology from 1991 to 2024. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted on the Scopus database using targeted title and abstract queries. A total of 71 eligible documents were analyzed using Bibliometrix to assess authorship trends, international collaboration, keyword co-occurrence, citation metrics, and thematic evolution. Results: From 1991 to 2024, 71 documents from 55 sources were published, with an annual growth rate of 3.39% and an average of 19.08 citations per document. Most authors (94.5%) published only one paper, consistent with Lotka's Law. Bradford's Law identified a core group of eight journals, with Clinical Oral Implants Research being the most productive. Italy was the forerunner in corresponding authorship, while the USA had the highest number of international collaborations. Thematic evolution showed increasing attention to terms like 'temperature,' 'implant,' 'bone drilling,' and 'osteotomy,' suggesting a shift toward clinical thermal management in implantology. Conclusion: This scientometric review identifies consistent growth and evolving themes in thermographic-infrared research during osteotomy, emphasizing the importance of an international collaboration and the need for clinical integration of thermal monitoring. Future studies should address clinical validation and standardized protocols for thermal safety in implant procedures.