Accelerated Orthodontics: A Descriptive Bibliometric Analysis of the Top 50 Cited Articles from 2012 to 2023

Background and Objectives: Accelerated orthodontics represents a significant shift in dental practice aimed at reducing treatment times while maintaining optimal patient outcomes. This bibliometric analysis evaluated the research landscape of accelerated orthodontics from 2012 to 2023, focusing on publication trends, citation patterns, influential journals, leading institutions, and key contributors. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search in Scopus identified 600 relevant articles, with the top 50 most-cited papers encompassing systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and experimental studies. Key techniques, such as corticotomy and piezocision, have been frequently highlighted for their effectiveness in expediting tooth movement. Results: The analysis revealed fluctuating annual scientific outputs, with notable peaks driven by technological advancements and increased patient demand for quicker orthodontic solutions. However, the production of high-impact papers was hindered by delays in citation accumulation and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Keyword analysis identified critical themes, such as orthodontic tooth movement, malocclusion, and demographic factors, while a global collaboration map underscored extensive international research partnerships. Leading journals included the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, and prominent institutions such as the University of California at Los Angeles played significant roles in advancing the field. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of accelerated orthodontics, emphasizing the need for continued research, particularly RCTs, to further refine and validate accelerated orthodontic techniques and improve clinical outcomes.


Introduction
Accelerated orthodontics represents a paradigm shift in dental practice aimed at reducing treatment times while maintaining optimal patient outcomes [1,2].This field, which is rapidly advancing, has garnered extensive interest from researchers, healthcare professionals, and industry leaders who are looking for new ways to improve orthodontic treatment.Orthodontic treatment traditionally spans several months to years, necessitating regular clinical visits and patient compliance with treatment protocols [2][3][4].
Adult patients often hesitate to undergo orthodontic treatment because of concerns about the lengthy treatment duration, discomfort, and inconvenience associated with wearing orthodontic appliances [5].A major problem for adults undergoing orthodontic treatment is the prolonged duration of the process.Adults typically prefer shorter treatment times and often require more esthetically pleasing appliances.Recent studies have revealed an increased number of adults in the United Kingdom seeking orthodontic care [6].A notable study revealed that the primary motivation behind adults seeking orthodontic treatment is to achieve optimal dental alignment and enhance the esthetics of their smiles [7].It is worth mentioning that orthodontic treatment for adults is significantly different from that for adolescents and is influenced by both psychological factors and biological considerations [8].However, accelerated orthodontics introduces techniques aimed at expediting tooth movement and reducing the overall treatment duration.These techniques include surgical interventions such as corticotomy, piezocision, and the use of biological agents such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) [9][10][11][12].The potential benefits of accelerated orthodontics include shorter treatment times, reduced patient discomfort, and improved treatment predictability, making it an appealing option for both patients and practitioners.
Accelerated orthodontics is a treatment option that promises quicker results; however, it presents some significant drawbacks.A key concern is the increased risk of root resorption, which can compromise the long-term health and stability of the teeth [13,14].Additionally, the use of advanced methods such as corticotomies or bone remodeling devices often results in increased discomfort, pain, and potential complications.These techniques also come with a higher price tag, limiting accessibility [15][16][17].Furthermore, the long-term effectiveness and safety of accelerated orthodontics is not as well-established as traditional methods, casting doubt on the durability of rapid treatments.Finally, the specialized training and equipment required to perform this treatment restrict its availability to certain practitioners, limiting patient options [16,18].
This study was conducted to accomplish several objectives through a bibliometric analysis of the top 50 papers on accelerated orthodontics.The primary aim was to identify the key contributors and institutions driving research in this particular field.Another objective was to evaluate publication trends over time and across diverse geographic regions.In addition, the analysis aimed to identify the most influential studies and journals in the field.Finally, the study sought to uncover emerging themes and gaps in the current research.By systematically reviewing the literature, this study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of accelerated orthodontic research.The ultimate goal of this analysis was to inform clinicians, researchers, and policymakers about the current state of accelerated orthodontics and guide future research priorities and clinical advancements in the field.

Data Sources and Search Strategies
Bibliometric analysis was conducted using Scopus as the sole data source.A comprehensive search strategy was used to identify relevant articles published between 2012 and 2023.The search was conducted on 30 June 2024 and was carefully designed to encompass all relevant studies on accelerated orthodontics, ensuring a thorough and exhaustive collection of data.The search results were exported as a BibTeX file for further analysis.The resulting dataset was analyzed to extract key bibliometric indicators, including the number of publications, citation counts, and the distribution of study types among the top 50 most-cited articles.The detailed search strategy is included in Appendix A.

Inclusion Criteria
The analysis included all peer-reviewed publications related to accelerated orthodontics published between 2012 and 2023.This encompasses various study types, including original research articles, review articles, experimental studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, cross-sectional studies, and retrospective studies.Only articles available in English and indexed in Scopus were considered to ensure the consistency and reliability of the data.Duplicate records, conference abstracts, and non-peer-reviewed articles were excluded to maintain the dataset quality.This inclusive approach ensured a comprehensive overview of the significant research contributions and trends in accelerated orthodontics over a specified period.

Data Collection
To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data collection process, two independent reviewers meticulously verified the data entry, and considered a number of different data elements, including titles, keywords, publication dates, authors, linked organizations, publishing journals, the total number of citations, and the authors' national and regional locations.This rigorous verification process helped to eliminate errors and inconsistencies, ensuring the integrity of the dataset used for the bibliometric analysis.

Statistical Analysis
The analysis was conducted using R version 4.3.3 and the bibliometrix package.Additionally, "biblioshiny", a web interface for bibliometrix, was integrated into RStudio version 3.6.0,facilitating a multifaceted bibliometric analysis [19].This comprehensive analysis included several key aspects: annual scientific production, average citations per year, most relevant sources, most relevant affiliations, keyword analysis, most relevant authors, author production over time, and a countries' collaboration world map.The use of the bibliometrix package and biblioshiny interface enabled detailed and robust statistical analysis, providing valuable insights into the trends and patterns within the field of accelerated orthodontics from 2012 to 2023.

Results
A comprehensive search of studies on accelerated orthodontics yielded 846 papers.When the search was limited to publications published between 2012 and 2023, the number of studies was reduced to 600.Among the top 50 most-cited articles, 251 authors contributed to the publications with an average of 59.62 citations per document.The distribution of study types among the top 50 articles included 13 systematic reviews, 14 prospective studies, 6 randomized controlled trials, 4 experimental studies, 10 reviews, 1 case report, 1 cross-sectional study, and 1 preliminary study (Figure 1).Table 1 provides a detailed list of the top 50 cited papers, organized from the most-cited to the least-cited, with the total number of citations amounting to 2981.A table listing the top 50 most-cited original articles, excluding review articles, is included in Table S1.

Data Collection
To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data collection process, two independent reviewers meticulously verified the data entry, and considered a number of different data elements, including titles, keywords, publication dates, authors, linked organizations, publishing journals, the total number of citations, and the authors' national and regional locations.This rigorous verification process helped to eliminate errors and inconsistencies, ensuring the integrity of the dataset used for the bibliometric analysis.

Statistical Analysis
The analysis was conducted using R version 4.3.3 and the bibliometrix package.Additionally, "biblioshiny", a web interface for bibliometrix, was integrated into RStudio version 3.6.0,facilitating a multifaceted bibliometric analysis [19].This comprehensive analysis included several key aspects: annual scientific production, average citations per year, most relevant sources, most relevant affiliations, keyword analysis, most relevant authors, author production over time, and a countries' collaboration world map.The use of the bibliometrix package and biblioshiny interface enabled detailed and robust statistical analysis, providing valuable insights into the trends and patterns within the field of accelerated orthodontics from 2012 to 2023.

Results
A comprehensive search of studies on accelerated orthodontics yielded 846 papers.When the search was limited to publications published between 2012 and 2023, the number of studies was reduced to 600.Among the top 50 most-cited articles, 251 authors contributed to the publications with an average of 59.62 citations per document.The distribution of study types among the top 50 articles included 13 systematic reviews, 14 prospective studies, 6 randomized controlled trials, 4 experimental studies, 10 reviews, 1 case report, 1 cross-sectional study, and 1 preliminary study (Figure 1).Table 1 provides a detailed list of the top 50 cited papers, organized from the most-cited to the least-cited, with the total number of citations amounting to 2981.A table listing the top 50 most-cited original articles, excluding review articles, is included in Table S1.

Annual Scientific Production
The annual scientific production of articles on accelerated orthodontics among the top 50 most-cited papers from 2012 to 2023 has exhibited a fluctuating trend.Starting with two articles in 2012, the number increased to six in both 2013 and 2014.There was a slight decline to four articles in 2015, followed by a peak of ten articles in 2016.The production then fluctuated, with six articles in 2017 and seven in 2018.A notable decline occurred in 2019 with only three articles, followed by a slight increase to five articles in 2020.However, there was a significant drop to zero articles in 2021 and only one article in 2022.This trend is illustrated in Figure 2, which shows the yearly distribution of articles and their corresponding scientific production.

Annual Scientific Production
The annual scientific production of articles on accelerated orthodontics among the top 50 most-cited papers from 2012 to 2023 has exhibited a fluctuating trend.Starting with two articles in 2012, the number increased to six in both 2013 and 2014.There was a slight decline to four articles in 2015, followed by a peak of ten articles in 2016.The production then fluctuated, with six articles in 2017 and seven in 2018.A notable decline occurred in 2019 with only three articles, followed by a slight increase to five articles in 2020.However, there was a significant drop to zero articles in 2021 and only one article in 2022.This trend is illustrated in Figure 2, which shows the yearly distribution of articles and their corresponding scientific production.

Average Citation Per Year
The average number of citations per year for the top 50 most-cited articles on accelerated orthodontics from 2012 to 2023 demonstrated varying trends in scholarly impact (Figure 3).In 2012, the mean total citations per article (Mean TC per Art) was 52.5, with a mean citation per year (Mean TC per Year) of 4.04 over 13 citable years.In 2013, these values increased to 75  Clin.Pract.2024, 14, FOR PEER REVIEW 10

Average Citation Per Year
The average number of citations per year for the top 50 most-cited articles on accelerated orthodontics from 2012 to 2023 demonstrated varying trends in scholarly impact (Figure 3).In 2012, the mean total citations per article (Mean TC per Art) was 52.5, with a mean citation per year (Mean TC per Year) of 4.04 over 13 citable years.In 2013, these values increased to 75   Among the top 50 most-cited articles, the top 10 most-cited documents were particularly notable for their significant contributions to the field.Leading this group is the article by Li (2018) [20] with 229 citations and an average of 32.71 citations per year, reflecting its substantial impact.Following closely are Nimeri G (2013) [15] with 172 citations and Hernández-Alfaro F (2014) [21] with 117 citations, showcasing their critical roles in advancing research on accelerated orthodontics.The top 10 most-cited documents globally among the top 50 cited articles are shown in Figure 4.Among the top 50 most-cited articles, the top 10 most-cited documents were particularly notable for their significant contributions to the field.Leading this group is the article by Li (2018) [20] with 229 citations and an average of 32.71 citations per year, reflecting its substantial impact.Following closely are Nimeri G (2013) [15] with 172 citations and Hernández-Alfaro F (2014) [21] with 117 citations, showcasing their critical roles in advancing research on accelerated orthodontics.The top 10 most-cited documents globally among the top 50 cited articles are shown in Figure 4.

Most Relevant Sources
The most relevant sources for the articles on accelerated orthodontics from 2012 to 2023 were identified, highlighting the key journals contributing significantly to this field.Leading the list is the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, with 7 articles among the top 50 most-cited.This is followed by the Angle Orthodontist,

Most Relevant Affiliations
The most relevant affiliations contributing to research on accelerated orthodontics from 2012 to 2023 were identified, showcasing institutions that have made significant contributions to this specialized area.Topping the list is the University of California in Los Angeles, with 9 articles among the top 50 most-cited.Following closely are Sichuan University and University of Damascus Dental School, each contributing seven articles.Several institutions, including Damascus University, Hacettepe University, Islamic Azad

Most Relevant Sources
The most relevant sources for the articles on accelerated orthodontics from 2012 to 2023 were identified, highlighting the key journals contributing significantly to this field.Leading the list is the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, with 7 articles among the top 50 most-cited.This is followed by the Angle Orthodontist, contributing six articles, and Progress in Orthodontics, contributing five articles.Other

Most Relevant Sources
The most relevant sources for the articles on accelerated orthodontics from 2012 to 2023 were identified, highlighting the key journals contributing significantly to this field.Leading the list is the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, with 7 articles among the top 50 most-cited.This is followed by the Angle Orthodontist, contributing six articles, and Progress in Orthodontics

Most Relevant Affiliations
The most relevant affiliations contributing to research on accelerated orthodontics from 2012 to 2023 were identified, showcasing institutions that have made significant contributions to this specialized area.Topping the list is the University of California in Los Angeles, with 9 articles among the top 50 most-cited.Following closely are Sichuan University and University of Damascus Dental School, each contributing seven articles.Several institutions, including Damascus University, Hacettepe University, Islamic Azad

Most Relevant Affiliations
The most relevant affiliations contributing to research on accelerated orthodontics from 2012 to 2023 were identified, showcasing institutions that have made significant contributions to this specialized area.Topping the list is the University of California in Los Angeles, with 9 articles among the top 50 most-cited.Following closely are Sichuan University and University of Damascus Dental School, each contributing seven articles.Several institutions, including Damascus University, Hacettepe University, Islamic Azad University, Prince of Songkla University, Universidad de los Andes, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, and University Hospital of Liège, have contributed three articles each.These affiliations, highlighted in Figure 6, underscore their substantial role in advancing research and innovation in accelerated orthodontics and in shaping the landscape of scholarly discourse in the field.
University, Prince of Songkla University, Universidad de los Andes, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, and University Hospital of Liège, have contributed three articles each.These affiliations, highlighted in Figure 6, underscore their substantial role in advancing research and innovation in accelerated orthodontics and in shaping the landscape of scholarly discourse in the field.
Clin.Pract.2024, 14, FOR PEER REVIEW 12 University, Prince of Songkla University, Universidad de los Andes, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, and University Hospital of Liège, have contributed three articles each.These affiliations, highlighted in Figure 6, underscore their substantial role in advancing research and innovation in accelerated orthodontics and in shaping the landscape of scholarly discourse in the field.

Most Relevant Authors and Author Production over Time
The analysis of the top authors in accelerated orthodontics research from 2012 to 2023 highlights notable contributors and their production trends.Among the top 50 cited articles, Hamadah O, Kau CH, and Li Y stood out with significant contributions, each having authored multiple impactful papers.Hamadah O and Kau CH each contributed three articles, showcasing their consistent presence and impact in the field.Li Y, known for their influential work, particularly in 2018 with a highly cited article, also demonstrates a strong publication record.Author production over time reveals dynamic trends, with some authors such as Ajjaj MA, Alfawal AMH, and Charoemratrote C publishing consistently across different years, reflecting sustained research output and influence.These insights underscore the pivotal role of these authors in advancing knowledge and innovation in accelerated orthodontics.Additionally, their collaborative networks and interactions within the field are shown in Figure 9, which provides a comprehensive overview of their scholarly connections and collaborative efforts in accelerated orthodontic research.These analyses underscore the dynamic contributions of individual authors and their collaborative networks in advancing knowledge and innovation in the field.

Most Relevant Authors and Author Production over Time
The analysis of the top authors in accelerated orthodontics research from 2012 to 2023 highlights notable contributors and their production trends.Among the top 50 cited articles, Hamadah O, Kau CH, and Li Y stood out with significant contributions, each having authored multiple impactful papers.Hamadah O and Kau CH each contributed three articles, showcasing their consistent presence and impact in the field.Li Y, known for their influential work, particularly in 2018 with a highly cited article, also demonstrates a strong publication record.Author production over time reveals dynamic trends, with some authors such as Ajjaj MA, Alfawal AMH, and Charoemratrote C publishing consistently across different years, reflecting sustained research output and influence.These insights underscore the pivotal role of these authors in advancing knowledge and innovation in accelerated orthodontics.Additionally, their collaborative networks and interactions within the field are shown in Figure 9, which provides a comprehensive overview of their scholarly connections and collaborative efforts in accelerated orthodontic research.These analyses underscore the dynamic contributions of individual authors and their collaborative networks in advancing knowledge and innovation in the field.

Most Relevant Authors and Author Production over Time
The analysis of the top authors in accelerated orthodontics research from 2012 to 2023 highlights notable contributors and their production trends.Among the top 50 cited articles, Hamadah O, Kau CH, and Li Y stood out with significant contributions, each having authored multiple impactful papers.Hamadah O and Kau CH each contributed three articles, showcasing their consistent presence and impact in the field.Li Y, known for their influential work, particularly in 2018 with a highly cited article, also demonstrates a strong publication record.Author production over time reveals dynamic trends, with some authors such as Ajjaj MA, Alfawal AMH, and Charoemratrote C publishing consistently across different years, reflecting sustained research output and influence.These insights underscore the pivotal role of these authors in advancing knowledge and innovation in accelerated orthodontics.Additionally, their collaborative networks and interactions within the field are shown in Figure 9, which provides a comprehensive overview of their scholarly connections and collaborative efforts in accelerated orthodontic research.These analyses underscore the dynamic contributions of individual authors and their collaborative networks in advancing knowledge and innovation in the field.

Countries' Collaboration World Map
The collaboration network among countries in accelerated orthodontic research from 2012 to 2023 reveals a diverse and interconnected landscape.Collaborations such as US-Canada, US-Belgium, and US-Thailand demonstrate transcontinental partnerships that contribute to global research endeavors.Similarly, collaborations between Malaysia and Switzerland and Malaysia-United Kingdom highlight international cooperation bridging different continents.These collaborative efforts underscore the global nature of research in accelerated orthodontics, facilitating knowledge exchange and mutual advancement across borders.The geographical distribution and interrelations of these collaborations are visually represented in Figure 10, illustrating the interconnectedness and impact of international partnerships in shaping the field's scholarly discourse.

Countries' Collaboration World Map
The collaboration network among countries in accelerated orthodontic research from 2012 to 2023 reveals a diverse and interconnected landscape.Collaborations such as US-Canada, US-Belgium, and US-Thailand demonstrate transcontinental partnerships that contribute to global research endeavors.Similarly, collaborations between Malaysia and Switzerland and Malaysia-United Kingdom highlight international cooperation bridging different continents.These collaborative efforts underscore the global nature of research in accelerated orthodontics, facilitating knowledge exchange and mutual advancement across borders.The geographical distribution and interrelations of these collaborations are visually represented in Figure 10, illustrating the interconnectedness and impact of international partnerships in shaping the field's scholarly discourse.

Discussion
The field of accelerated orthodontics has gained considerable attention over the past decade owing to its potential to reduce treatment times and improve patient satisfaction.This bibliometric analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the research landscape of accelerated orthodontics from 2012 to 2023.It focuses on publication trends, citation patterns, influential journals, leading institutions, and key contributors.By quantifying the annual scientific output and analyzing the average citations per year, we identified the most-cited papers and categorized them by study type.The analysis highlights the top 50 papers on this topic, underscores the significant role of key journals, such as the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, and identifies leading institutions, such as the University of California at Los Angeles.Additionally, keyword analysis revealed dominant themes and focus areas, while author contributions and collaboration networks illustrated the extent of research partnerships.
A thorough search for studies on accelerated orthodontics resulted in 846 papers, which narrowed down to 600 when focusing on publications from 2012 to 2023.Among the top 50 most-cited articles, 251 authors contributed, with an average of nearly 60 citations per document.These top articles included a mix of systematic reviews, prospective studies, randomized controlled trials, experimental studies, reviews, case reports, crosssectional studies, and preliminary studies.The annual scientific production of these articles showed a fluctuating trend, peaking and declining over time.The average citations per year for these top articles varied, reflecting different levels of scholarly impact.The most relevant sources in this field were journals such as the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, followed by the Angle Orthodontist and Progress in

Discussion
The field of accelerated orthodontics has gained considerable attention over the past decade owing to its potential to reduce treatment times and improve patient satisfaction.This bibliometric analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the research landscape of accelerated orthodontics from 2012 to 2023.It focuses on publication trends, citation patterns, influential journals, leading institutions, and key contributors.By quantifying the annual scientific output and analyzing the average citations per year, we identified the mostcited papers and categorized them by study type.The analysis highlights the top 50 papers on this topic, underscores the significant role of key journals, such as the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, and identifies leading institutions, such as the University of California at Los Angeles.Additionally, keyword analysis revealed dominant themes and focus areas, while author contributions and collaboration networks illustrated the extent of research partnerships.
A thorough search for studies on accelerated orthodontics resulted in 846 papers, which narrowed down to 600 when focusing on publications from 2012 to 2023.Among the top 50 most-cited articles, 251 authors contributed, with an average of nearly 60 citations per document.These top articles included a mix of systematic reviews, prospective studies, randomized controlled trials, experimental studies, reviews, case reports, cross-sectional studies, and preliminary studies.The annual scientific production of these articles showed a fluctuating trend, peaking and declining over time.The average citations per year for these top articles varied, reflecting different levels of scholarly impact.The most relevant sources in this field were journals such as the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, followed by the Angle Orthodontist and Progress in Orthodontics.The leading institutions included the University of California at Los Angeles and Sichuan University.Keyword analysis highlighted significant themes and focal points, such as demographics, orthodontic tooth movement, and clinical procedures.Notable authors in the field included Hamadah O, Kau CH, and Li Y, each contributing multiple influential papers.The research landscape also featured extensive international collaboration, with notable partnerships between countries such as the USA and Canada, Malaysia and Switzerland, and others, underscoring the global nature of research in accelerated orthodontics.
Among the top 50 articles on accelerated orthodontics, most focused on the mechanisms underlying orthodontic procedures.Some were randomized controlled trials, whereas others were systematic reviews and meta-analyses.This diversity highlights the importance of future research, particularly emphasizing randomized controlled trials, to further advance this field.Various techniques have been employed to shorten the duration of orthodontic treatment.However, surgical interventions tend to be more clinically effective, often yielding better results in reducing the overall treatment duration [27].Kole's surgical procedure proposes that accelerated tooth movement is achieved by selectively cutting the bone, allowing the movement of "blocks of bone" [68].However, recent evidence indicates that the increased rate of tooth movement is due to localized osteoporosis as part of the healing process, known as the regional acceleratory phenomenon (RAP) [69].Various surgical techniques have been employed to leverage the RAP and accelerate tooth movement, including conventional corticotomy [70,71], piezocision-based flapless corticotomy [39,72], corticision [73], and laser-assisted flapless corticotomy [74,75].
The general pattern of the annual scientific output demonstrates a downward trend in publications on accelerated orthodontics, with a notable peak of 80 articles in 2016.This increase suggests that there is a slight interest and investment in the field, which is probably driven by technological advancements and the growing demand for quicker orthodontic solutions.However, the decline in publications after 2019 might indicate a change in research priorities, market saturation, or the influence of global events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, on research and clinical activities [76,77].The production of high-impact papers in accelerated orthodontics is limited by several factors.First, scientific papers typically require a considerable amount of time to receive citations, especially if they are not published in prestigious, high-impact journals that naturally attract more attention and citations.This time lag means that even high-quality research may not be immediately recognized or widely cited.Second, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on global research activities, including orthodontics.During the pandemic, many research projects in orthodontics were halted or delayed, owing to restrictions on in-person activities and access to laboratories and clinical settings.Additionally, the focus of many researchers and healthcare professionals has shifted towards addressing the immediate challenges posed by the pandemic, further slowing the progress of ongoing research in fields such as orthodontics.Moreover, the pandemic has disrupted the usual channels of academic communication and collaboration.Conferences and other professional gatherings where researchers typically share and discuss their findings were canceled or moved online, reducing opportunities for networking and the dissemination of new research.This disruption likely contributed to the slower pace of publication and reduced the visibility of new research during this period.A recent investigation revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a considerable influence on orthodontic clinical education in both pre-and post-doctoral orthodontic programs [78].In general, there was a noticeable decrease in patient care, which could result in the delayed treatment of patients and fewer training opportunities for learners.
The keyword analysis results revealed important themes, including "orthodontic tooth movement", "malocclusion", and "maxilla", which are central to the research focus in this field.Additionally, the presence of demographic terms such as "human", "male", and "female" highlights the diverse demographics involved in studies, which is crucial for generalizing findings across different populations.The co-occurrence network provides insights into how these themes intersect, emphasizing the need for comprehensive research frameworks and multidisciplinary approaches to address various aspects of accelerated orthodontics.The international collaboration map highlights a strong global network, with notable partnerships between countries such as the USA, Brazil, Italy, and others.These collaborations facilitate knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and diverse perspectives, thereby enhancing the quality and impact of research.The extent of the network indicates that accelerated orthodontics is a globally relevant field, with significant contributions from various regions fostering innovation and advancements.
A widely implemented intervention in accelerated orthodontics is the use of PAOO, which has been the subject of extensive research [4].Studies suggest that both PAOO and corticotomy-only groups experience a reduction in bone density [79,80].This decrease is linked to the surgical trauma that triggers localized osteoporosis.However, further research has shown a substantial increase in alveolar bone density during the followup phase.PAOO has been shown to significantly reduce treatment time compared to alternative methods [81].
Studies have established the usefulness of PAOO in hastening the process of tooth alignment and leveling [82,83].Additionally, studies have emphasized their effectiveness in accelerating the retraction of the upper anterior teeth compared to conventional orthodontic methods [49,84].This expedited retraction is attributed to the surgical procedure, which triggers the regional accelerator phenomenon (RAP).This phenomenon takes effect shortly after surgery and reaches its peak within one-two months.RAP can persist for half to two years, with its maximum observed approximately one month after surgery, followed by a gradual decline over subsequent months [85].
This bibliography represents the first significant contribution to the literature on accelerated orthodontics and offers fundamental insights into this field.It incorporates a diverse range of recent and relevant sources, providing a well-structured organization that enables seamless access to specific studies or themes.The inclusion of various viewpoints and methodologies enriches comprehension, presenting a sophisticated outlook on the subject matter.Appropriate citation ensures transparency, allowing for the further verification and exploration of the referenced research.Furthermore, this bibliometric analysis explains the top 50 articles and lays the foundation for future studies on high-impact work.However, the bibliography's reliance exclusively on the Scopus database and its restriction to the timeframe between 2012 and 2023 may introduce bias.It could potentially disregard relevant studies not indexed in Scopus or published beyond this period, limiting the completeness of coverage.Although comprehensive within its scope, the literature may not encompass all aspects of accelerated orthodontic research, particularly those from alternative databases or older studies.These factors could potentially hamper the breadth and depth of the insights offered, impacting the overall perspective on the topic.

Conclusions
In conclusion, accelerated orthodontics represents a transformative approach in dental practice, focusing on reducing treatment duration while ensuring optimal outcomes.Our bibliometric analysis, covering research from 2012 to 2023, identified key trends, influential studies, and major contributors to the field.It reveals a diverse range of studies, including systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and experimental research, highlighting the significant role of surgical techniques such as corticotomy and piezocision in expediting tooth movement.Despite the fluctuating trend in annual scientific output, with peaks in interest driven by technological advancements and patient demand for quicker solutions, the production of high-impact papers has faced challenges, particularly owing to the time required for citation accumulation and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.The keyword analysis underscores critical themes such as orthodontic tooth movement and demographic considerations, while international collaborations reflect a robust global research network.The findings of this study provide a comprehensive overview of accelerated orthodontics, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research, especially randomized controlled trials, to further advance this field.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Distribution of study types among the top 50 most-cited articles in accelerated orthodontics (2012-2023).
and 6.25, respectively, over the 12 citable years.The trend continued in 2014, with a Mean TC per Art of 73.5 and a Mean TC per year of 6.68, over 11 citable years.A decline was observed in 2015 with Mean TC per art at 48 and Mean TC per year at 4.80, over 10 citable years.However, there was a peak in 2016, with Mean TC per Art at 65.5, and Mean TC per Year at 7.28, over nine citable years.The trend dipped in 2017, with Mean TC per Art at 44.33, and Mean TC per Year at 5.54, over eight citable years.Then, 2018 saw an increase, with Mean TC per Art at 70 and Mean TC per Year at 10.00 over seven citable years, followed by 2019, with Mean TC per Art at 52.67 and Mean TC per Year at 8.78 over six citable years.In 2020, the values were 38 and 7.60, respectively, over five citable years.The year 2022 had the lowest Mean TC per art at 34, but a high Mean TC per year at 11.33, over three citable years.
and 6.25, respectively, over the 12 citable years.The trend continued in 2014, with a Mean TC per Art of 73.5 and a Mean TC per year of 6.68, over 11 citable years.A decline was observed in 2015 with Mean TC per art at 48 and Mean TC per year at 4.80, over 10 citable years.However, there was a peak in 2016, with Mean TC per Art at 65.5, and Mean TC per Year at 7.28, over nine citable years.The trend dipped in 2017, with Mean TC per Art at 44.33, and Mean TC per Year at 5.54, over eight citable years.Then, 2018 saw an increase, with Mean TC per Art at 70 and Mean TC per Year at 10.00 over seven citable years, followed by 2019, with Mean TC per Art at 52.67 and Mean TC per Year at 8.78 over six citable years.In 2020, the values were 38 and 7.60, respectively, over five citable years.The year 2022 had the lowest Mean TC per art at 34, but a high Mean TC per year at 11.33, over three citable years.
contributing six articles, and Progress in Orthodontics, contributing five articles.Other notable journals include the Journal of Dental Research and the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, each contributing three articles.Additional relevant sources with two articles each are BMC Oral Health, Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, and Journal of Periodontology.The distribution of these top 10 sources is illustrated in Figure 5, highlighting their prominence and contribution to the literature.
notable journals include the Journal of Dental Research and the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, each contributing three articles.Additional relevant sources with two articles each are BMC Oral Health, Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, and Journal of Periodontology.The distribution of these top 10 sources is illustrated in Figure 5, highlighting their prominence and contribution to the literature.
, contributing five articles.Other notable journals include the Journal of Dental Research and the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, each contributing three articles.Additional relevant sources with two articles each are BMC Oral Health, Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, and Journal of Periodontology.The distribution of these top 10 sources is illustrated in Figure 5, highlighting their prominence and contribution to the literature.

Figure 7 .
Figure 7. Co-occurrence network of keywords in accelerated orthodontics research.

Figure 7 .
Figure 7. Co-occurrence network of keywords in accelerated orthodontics research.

Figure 8 .
Figure 8. Word cloud representation of keyword frequencies in accelerated orthodontics Top 50 most-cited papers.

Figure 8 .
Figure 8. Word cloud representation of keyword frequencies in accelerated orthodontics Top 50 mostcited papers.

Figure 7 .
Figure 7. Co-occurrence network of keywords in accelerated orthodontics research.

Figure 8 .
Figure 8. Word cloud representation of keyword frequencies in accelerated orthodontics Top 50 most-cited papers.

Figure 9 .
Figure 9. Collaborative networks of authors in accelerated orthodontics research.

Figure 9 .
Figure 9. Collaborative networks of authors in accelerated orthodontics research.
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Table 1 .
List of top 50 most-cited articles in accelerated orthodontics (2012-2023), ranked by total citations.