The Scientific Landscape of Resin Composite Pre-Heating Research in Restorative Dentistry: A Bibliometric Analysis (2005-2025)

Objective: This study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to map the global research output, thematic evolution, key contributors, and collaborative networks in the field of resin composite pre-heating.Materials and Methods: A search was performed in the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection in December 2025, covering the period from 2005 to 2025. Fifty documents meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed using the bibliometrix and Biblioshiny packages in RStudio. Analyses included annual production, citation metrics, author and institutional productivity, co-authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrence mapping.Results: The analyzed dataset of 50 documents (48 articles, 1 review, 1 proceeding) showed an annual growth rate of 3.53%, with publication volume peaking in 2022 (n=6). Brazil was the most frequently represented country in author affiliations (56 occurrences), followed by the USA (27) and Turkey (15). The most productive institution was the Universidade de São Paulo (14 documents). Rueggeberg FA and Daronch M emerged as pioneering authors with the highest total citations (TC) and annual citation rates (TCpY), while recent authors like Favoreto MW showed high contemporary impact. Co-authorship network analysis revealed distinct research clusters, with a major cluster centered in Brazil. Keyword analysis indicated a shift in research focus from basic parameters like "polymerization kinetics" and "degree of conversion" towards applied areas such as "fracture toughness" and "clinical performance."Conclusions: The literature on resin composite pre-heating is in a phase of dynamic growth, with a marked increase especially after 2020. The field is characterized by strong geographic concentration led by Brazil and a high rate of international collaboration (42%). The thematic evolution signals a clear transition from laboratory-based validation studies to research focused on clinical validity and the behavior of modern composite systems.