Bibliometric analysis on microbial corrosion in dentistry

Abstract: Aim: The present bibliometric analysis was conducted to find the evidence regarding microbial corrosion in dentistry since corrosion by whatever means affect the intraoral performance of the metallic appliances. Materials and methods: Material and methods: Dimensions software was used to search for published literature pertaining to the keywords “microbial corrosion” AND “dentistry”. Two reviewers assessed the articles in terms of year of publication, authors, country of origin, journal of publication, and the affiliated institutions of the authors as well as their collaborations and the most cited publications. Results: The search revealed a total of 3,118 articles between the years 2000 to 2022. The number of publications was on the rising pattern with a spike between 2004-2007, again with a small spike between 2014 and 2016 and then a steep increase from 2017 onwards.  The publications were almost equally split between Engineering science and Medical Sciences. United States topped the list of countries with 378 documents with total link strength of 106224. Sao Paulo University topped the list in terms of organizations with total link strength of 12722. The journal of Anatomia Histologia Embryologia topped with 136 publications followed by Materials with 94 publications. Valentim from Brazil topped the authors with 22 publications. Conclusion: Microbial corrosion is needs equal concentration as any other forms of intraoral corrosion given that oral cavity is loaded with huge varieties of microorganisms with some of them known to cause microbial corrosion like sulfate reducing bacteria. The recent decline in research and publications in this field especially in 2022 is concerning. More studies are needed to learn more on microbial corrosion and its effects in dentistry.  Keywords: microbial corrosion, dentistry, sulfate reducing bacteria