Mapping the global research landscape and knowledge structure of robotic-assisted dental, oral and maxillofacial surgery: a bibliometric analysis.

To systematically characterize the global research landscape, collaboration patterns, and emerging trends in robotic-assisted dental, oral and maxillofacial surgery through a bibliometric analysis of publications from 2005 to 2025. Publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Bibliometric analyses were conducted using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Carrot2 to evaluate publication trends, international collaborations, co-citation networks, keyword evolution, and emerging research hotspots. A subgroup analysis of publications published after 2020 was performed to identify recent developments in the field. A total of 1,094 publications were included. The field exhibited three developmental phases: gradual growth (2005-2013), fluctuating expansion (2014-2023), and rapid development (2024-2025). The United States, China, and Italy formed the core of the international collaboration network, while transoral robotic surgery (TORS) constituted the primary intellectual foundation of the field. Keyword and co-citation analyses revealed a clear transition from early investigations of surgical feasibility toward applications involving artificial intelligence, digital dentistry, and robotic implantology. Post-2020 analyses identified robotic implantology as a rapidly emerging research frontier, with China playing a leading role in this domain. However, collaboration networks within this emerging area remain relatively fragmented. This study maps the scientific landscape of robotic-assisted dental, oral and maxillofacial surgery, identifying three developmental phases, emerging hotspots (particularly implant robotics), and gaps in international collaboration. These findings provide a comprehensive overview of the field and offer insights into future directions for technological innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and clinical translation.