Clinical Studies on Topical Anesthesia in Dentistry: A Bibliometric Analysis

Topical anesthesia is widely used in dentistry. However, its clinical effectiveness remains controversial. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of the most cited clinical dentistry articles on topical anesthesia, identifying the most studied drugs, research trends, leading authors, geographic distribution, funding sources, and study characteristics. A structured search was conducted in the Web of Science using defined descriptors and Boolean operators, with citation comparisons in Scopus and Google Scholar. The search, conducted without language or publication year restrictions, extended until October 2023. Out of 4892 articles, the 30 most cited were selected, collectively accumulating 953 citations between 1992 and 2017. Most highly cited and funded studies originated from the United States. Journals focusing on periodontics, general dentistry, and oral surgery published the majority of these articles, with lidocaine being the most studied anesthetic. Despite their widespread use, topical anesthetics have garnered relatively few citations. Our findings suggest a research preference for studies with immediate clinical impact over those focusing on pain management, particularly in the field of topical dental anesthesia. This highlights the need for further research and progress in this important field.