Reciprocating Kinematics in Endodontics: 18 Years of Scientific Evolution and Global Research Trends

BACKGROUND: Advances in reciprocating kinematics have improved the safety and efficiency of mechanical root canal preparation in Endodontics. Despite the growth of scientific publications in recent decades, a bibliometric analysis addressing research structure, temporal evolution, and the global landscape is still lacking. AIM: To conduct a bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature on reciprocating kinematics in Endodontics, focusing on publication trends, research themes, and global scientific contributions. METHODOLOGY: The Web of Science Core Collection (WoS-CC) was searched in April 2026 without restrictions on publication year, language, or citation count. Extracted data included publication year, journal, impact factor, study design, research topic, country, institution, authorship, and keywords. Bibliometric mapping and network visualisation were performed using VOSviewer. Citation patterns and citation density, co-authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrence were analysed. Associations between citation count, publication year, and journal impact factor were assessed using Spearman's rank-order correlation. RESULTS: A total of 852 articles published between 2008 and 2026 were included, with the most cited article receiving 348 citations. The article with the highest citation density accumulated 21.11 citations per year since publication. Journal of Endodontics was the most productive journal (n = 215). Laboratory-based studies accounted for approximately 86% of the publications. The most frequently investigated topics were shaping ability and canal transportation (n = 140). Silva EJNL was the most prolific author (n = 46). Brazil ranked first in national scientific output (n = 231), while Asia was the most productive continent overall (n = 376). Spearman's analysis showed significant correlations, with citation counts strongly decreasing with publication year (ρ = -0.811), moderately increasing with impact factor (ρ = 0.551), and impact factor slightly decreasing over time (ρ = -0.315). CONCLUSIONS: Reciprocating instrumentation continues to represent an active area of research in Endodontics. The available literature is predominantly experimental, with a strong emphasis on instrument performance and procedural safety, whereas clinically oriented investigations remain comparatively limited. Although scientific output is concentrated within specific countries and research groups, this bibliometric analysis highlights sustained research interest in reciprocating NiTi systems and underscores the need for broader international collaboration and well-designed clinical studies to strengthen the clinical evidence base.