Laser in pediatric dentistry: a bibliometric analysis

Background: Lasers enable minimally invasive treatment with reduced pain and improved cooperation in children, making them increasingly valuable in pediatric dentistry. In light of their growing relevance, understanding laser applications in this field is important. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a general overview of laser applications in pediatric dentistry via a bibliometric analysis. Methods: A search strategy was developed based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Only English-language original articles and reviews concerning laser applications in pediatric dentistry published before 2025 were included. An electronic search was conducted in the Web of Science database on 25 May 2025. Controlled vocabulary or Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms were not employed; instead, a combination of topic-specific keywords was used to guide the search process. Publications that did not align with the scope of the study were excluded, and the final dataset was analyzed using the Bibliometrix software package. Results: The analysis demonstrated a steady and continuous increase in the number of publications over time, indicating a progressive rise in scientific attention to this field. Caries Research emerged as both the most influential and the most frequently cited journal in this domain, while Richmond S and Mendes FM were identified as one of the most influential researchers. Keyword mapping revealed that areas such as primary teeth and laser fluorescence remain central research topics, whereas newer trends have increasingly focused on themes related to demineralization and endodontics. Conclusions: This study provided the first bibliometric overview of laser applications in pediatric dentistry. By identifying leading contributors, influential journals, and evolving research themes, it offers valuable insight into existing knowledge gaps and highlights potential future directions, suggesting the need for emphasizing laser applications for demineralization and endodontics in primary teeth.

Laser; Bibliometric analysis; Children

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