Advances in orofacial pain research: a bibliometric analysis

Abstract

Objective:

Orofacial pain has become increasingly prevalent with the advancement of society and economy. Bibliometrics, an interdisciplinary field encompassing mathematics, statistics, and information science, offers insights into the trends, research focal points, and knowledge framework of orofacial pain through quantitative analysis of relevant literature. This study aims to systematically map the evolutionary trajectory of orofacial pain research from 2000 to 2024. It will analyze publication trends, collaborative networks, and emerging hotspots to provide data-driven guidance for future research directions and resource allocation.

Methods:

This study employed bibliometric analysis to examine literature published between 2000 and 2024 using keywords such as “face pain,” “craniofacial pain,” “neuralgic facial pain,” “myofacial pain,” “oral-maxillofacial pain,” “oral and maxillofacial pain,” and “orofacial pain.” Utilizing tools like CiteSpace and VOSviewer, we conducted trend analysis on publication volume, constructed author collaboration networks, and performed keyword co-occurrence analysis.

Results:

Our analysis revealed a rising publication trend in the field, the establishment of a core group of authors, continuous expansion of collaboration networks, and current research focal points on “diagnostic criteria,” “manual therapy,” “systematic review,” “quality,” “joint disorders,” “scale,” and “care.”

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that bibliometrics offers a comprehensive and objective quantitative analysis for academic research, aiding researchers in understanding disciplinary developments, providing a scientific foundation for future research directions and resource allocation, and fostering sustainable disciplinary growth and innovation.

1 Introduction

Oral and maxillofacial pain encompasses a spectrum of discomfort in the facial and oral regions, ranging from mild to severe, impacting both the functionality of these areas and the overall well-being of individuals. This pain can arise from various sources, including local structural diseases or functional disorders within the oral cavity and jaw, such as dental caries-induced pulpitis, periodontitis-related gum pain, and temporomandibular joint disorders. Additionally, neurological issues like trigeminal neuralgia and glossopharyngeal neuralgia, as well as tumor metastasis to the oral and maxillofacial regions, can also contribute to this type of pain. The diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial pain is multifaceted, with diverse criteria (1). However, the 2020 International Classification of Orofacial Pain (ICOP), developed collaboratively by leading international professional organizations in the field, comprehensively delineates various types of oral and maxillofacial pain and offers precise diagnostic guidelines, serving as a crucial resource for clinicians (2).

Research on the etiology and treatment of oral and maxillofacial pain is a prominent area of interest among scholars (3). A landmark initiative in this field is the Orofacial Pain: Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment (OPERA) project, which was launched in 2006 to identify risk factors for painful temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Over the course of a decade, the project recruited 3,258 TMD-free adults across four U.S. sites, assessing various factors including genetic, biological, psychosocial, clinical, and health status. Key findings revealed that the development of TMD is driven by a biopsychosocial interplay: genetic predispositions (e.g., variants in pain-related genes), phenotypic traits (e.g., heightened sensitivity to experimental pain), psychosocial stressors (e.g., anxiety, somatization), and clinical factors (e.g., prior jaw injuries) collectively contribute to the risk (4). This underscores the biopsychosocial nature of orofacial pain, where biological vulnerabilities, psychological states, and social contexts dynamically interact to modulate pain perception and progression.

Studies have delved into various aspects such as the impact of estrogen on oral and maxillofacial pain (5–7), the regulatory role of the trigeminal nerve (8–10), sympathetic-parasympathetic interactions in temporomandibular arthritis (11), involvement of prefrontal cortex neurons in chronic pain (12–14), neurovascularization, signal pathways, ion channels, and receptors (15–17). Central sensitization, a key mechanism underlying chronic orofacial pain, has garnered significant attention in recent years. Studies indicate that prolonged nociceptive input induces plastic changes in the central nervous system, which in turn heightens the responsiveness of spinal and supraspinal neurons to mild stimuli. This phenomenon is associated with an increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as alterations in glutamate signaling within the trigeminal system, thereby amplifying pain persistence (18, 19).

Additionally, investigations (20–22) have explored the interplay between nerves and psychology (23–25), central sensitization, emotional regulation (26–28), and various treatment modalities including neuromodulation techniques like optogenetics and chemogenetics, molecular targeted therapies, and drugs promoting neuronal autophagy (29–31). Psycho-emotional factors play a critical role in the perception of orofacial pain (OFP) and headaches (HA). Anxiety, stress, and depression are correlated with worsened sleep quality, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness, which exacerbate pain and diminish treatment responses. Therefore, systematic evaluation of psychosocial factors is therefore critical (32).

Multifactorial analyses indicate that the pain and headaches experienced by patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) are significantly associated with sleep bruxism (SB) and comorbidities such as a history of cancer and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This underscores the necessity of addressing both systemic and lifestyle factors (33). These therapeutic approaches are often combined with physiotherapy (34–36), psychotherapy, and traditional Chinese medicine to modulate neurotransmitters and provide comprehensive care for patients with oral and maxillofacial pain (37, 38). Emerging treatments include botulinum toxin, which demonstrates promise in alleviating muscle hyperactivity and pain in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and trigeminal neuralgia through its neuromodulatory effects (39). Additionally, injectable platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF) has been shown to provide significant pain relief in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders following single articular cavity injections (40).

In the field of orofacial pain research, existing results have thoroughly explored core issues related to the comprehensive mechanisms of orofacial pain, including trigeminal nerve biology and inflammatory pain pathways. Concurrently, clinical management strategies from previous studies have enhanced our understanding of orofacial pain. However, there is a notable lack of systematic descriptions of the scientific evolution in this field. This study addresses this gap by providing a systematic, data-driven overview of the evolutionary trajectories in orofacial pain research. This critical gap hinders researchers from identifying hidden trends and cutting-edge opportunities, thereby limiting their collaborative efforts and ability to explore unknown territories. To address this, we transcend the limitations of traditional reviews and, for the first time, employ bibliometrics (using the Citespace and VOSviewer tools) to construct a multidimensional “panorama map” for the years 2000 to 2024. This map illustrates an academic star chart of author collaborations, institutional contributions, and interdisciplinary intersections. It reveals emerging hotspots, such as the significant rise of “quantitative sensory testing” and “systematic reviews,” while also emphasizing their importance in understanding the relationship between human and animal physiology. Furthermore, it highlights the active and dormant research clusters in the US, Pakistan, and Africa. The value of this multidimensional analysis lies in its actionable insights, which provide a strategic roadmap for researchers. First, it aids in identifying subfields, such as temporomandibular disorders and trigeminal neuralgia, that are over-researched, while emphasizing the need for greater focus on the mechanisms of idiopathic orofacial pain. Second, it reveals cooperation gaps, such as the limited inter-agency partnerships in China, which, if addressed, could accelerate innovation. Finally, by linking keyword co-occurrence data, such as “manual treatment” and “quality of life,” with clinical needs, we establish a strategic bridge between basic research and patient requirements, guiding resource allocation toward patient-centered priorities. Ultimately, our bibliometric study transcends mere descriptive summaries, offering actionable insights that propel the development of targeted and impactful research in the field of orofacial pain.

To address the fragmentation of oral and facial pain research, which is often simply categorized as “general pain” or “dental complications,” this study conducts a systematic bibliometric analysis of 3,372 publications from 2000 to 2024. It focuses on three core issues: (1) quantifying long-term output trends in the field and identifying inflection points driven by key events such as updates to diagnostic standards or technological advances; (2) revealing the differences and collaboration patterns among leading countries, institutions, and research networks in terms of quality (citations, methodology) and focus (basic mechanisms vs. clinical applications); and (3) identifying how emerging hotspots, such as central sensitization, psycho-emotional regulation, and novel interventions, map onto unmet clinical needs or scientific breakthroughs. By addressing these questions, this study aims to provide a comprehensive, data-driven overview of orofacial pain research and offer insights for future studies. It establishes an operational framework for prioritizing future research agendas, enhancing international collaboration, and accurately aligning with clinical needs. Utilizing mathematical and statistical methods, bibliometrics evaluates and predicts the developmental status, growth trends, and evolutionary trajectories of scientific and technological fields within the framework of literature systems. This study employs bibliometric analysis to focus specifically on the domain of oral and maxillofacial pain, systematically organizing national scientific research trends, institutional academic performance, CORE journal distribution, author contributions, and key research keywords. The objective of this study is to quantitatively assess the academic achievements of researchers and the scientific research capabilities of higher education institutions, thereby providing practical guidance for scientific research practitioners. The primary aim of this bibliometric analysis is to systematically present the overall pattern of global research on orofacial pain from 2000 to 2024. This includes an analysis of publication trends, collaboration networks among countries, institutions, and authors, as well as an examination of the evolution of research on oral and maxillofacial pain over time. Additionally, it identifies key research topics and emerging frontiers, ultimately offering data support for future research priorities, the promotion of international cooperation, and the optimization of resource allocation in this field.

2 Methods

2.1 Data sources and searches

We utilized SCI-EXPANDED, a high-quality digital bibliographic resource database from Clarivate Analytics’ Web of Science Core Database, as our primary research source. This database is widely recognized by researchers as the most suitable option for bibliometric analysis. To enhance the comprehensiveness of our search scope, we noted that while SCOPUS offers broader journal coverage, a previous study indicated a 92% overlap with WOS in the literature concerning orofacial pain. Consequently, SCOPUS did not significantly differ from WOS, with few unique records contributing new insights. Additionally, PubMed lacks comprehensive citation data and essential author/institutional metadata for collaboration networks and citation analysis, rendering it less suitable for our multidimensional bibliometric framework. Resource constraints limited our ability to conduct parallel analyses across multiple databases; therefore, we summarized and supplemented keywords based on MeSH terms and CNKI. Our search query was constructed as follows: ts = (“facial pain” or “craniofacial pain” or “neurofacial pain” or “musculofacial pain” or “oral-maxillofacial pain” or “oral and maxillofacial pain” or “orofacial pain”), targeting articles published between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2024. Recognizing that English is the dominant language of scholarly publications and that the major categories of articles are already citation-dominated, we restricted our search to articles and reviews published in English. This study adhered to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. We identified duplicates using title and DOI matching through R’s bibliometric package, ensuring the removal of duplicates to maintain unique records. For quality screening, we did not employ formal quality scores such as the CASP checklist, as bibliometric analyses often prioritize coverage breadth over the rigor of individual studies. However, we excluded multiple articles with fewer than five citations to mitigate noise from low-impact studies.

2.2 Data analysis and visualization

Two independent researchers conducted the study to ensure result reliability. Literature was retrieved in “plain text” format, and relevant information was extracted for analysis. VOSviewer and Scimago Graphic were utilized for author, country/region, and institution visualization and quantification. CiteSpace6.3R2 was employed for keyword clustering, emergent word analysis, and reference data visualization. Data extraction and compilation were done using R language, with Pajek used for auxiliary graphics conversion. WPS Office was utilized to analyze and graphically represent the number of articles published per country/region and trends in publication numbers (see Figure 1).

Figure 1

3 Results

3.1 Annual publications and trends

2,751 studies (81.7%) and 533 reviews (15.17%) were included, encompassing 86 countries/regions and 2,919 institutions. Research on oral and maxillofacial pain has shown a notable increase from 2000 to 2024, as evidenced by the growing body of literature. Figure 2 illustrates the annual publication volume during this period, segmented into four stages: a slow growth period (2000–2009), a first peak period (2009–2011), a second peak period (2019–2021), and a rapid growth period (2011–2024). Prior to 2009, the publication rate exhibited gradual growth, surpassing 28 articles. Subsequent to 2009, there was a significant acceleration in publications, with over 96 articles being published annually, culminating in a peak of 280 articles in 2023. The citations of these related works increased steadily each year, reaching a pinnacle of 11,730 in 2024. Publications showed exponential growth (y = 34.185e0.0903x, R² = 0.9638), with two critical inflection points: 2009 (first peak) and 2019 (second peak). The 2009 surge coincided with the publication of the first International RDC/TMD diagnostic criteria (41), standardizing research endpoints and facilitating cross-study comparisons. The 2019 peak aligned with increased funding for chronic pain research, most notably the US National Institutes of Health’s Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative (NIH Guide NOT-NS-19-024, 4 April 2019), and the adoption of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Citation growth (peaking at 11,730 in 2024) outpaced publication volume, suggesting improving research influence, though 15% of articles received <5 citations, indicating potential variability in quality.

Figure 2

3.2 Number of publications by country

A total of 86 countries or territories conducted and published studies, and the top 10 countries by number of publications are shown in Figure 3A. The United States led with 1,003 papers, followed by Brazil (424), China (302), Sweden (274) and Japan (244). Italy, the UK, Canada, Denmark and the Netherlands each received more than 10,000 citations, although they did not make the top five. Figure 3B shows the upward trend in the number of annual publications in the top 10 countries, especially in the United States, China and the Netherlands. Figure 3C highlights frequent exchanges and collaborations mainly involving Denmark, China, Brazil and Japan, with the United States as the central hub. Figure 3D visually represents the patterns of cooperation between countries, with color indicating different categories, circle size reflecting the number of national publications, and line thickness indicating the intensity of cooperation. It is worth noting that the United States has the most frequent cooperation with other countries, while European countries, China and Brazil have also demonstrated strong cooperation with other countries. The United States not only leads in the number of publications, with 1,003 papers, but also in the average number of citations per paper, averaging 37.7. This surpasses Brazil’s average of 23.0 and is indicative of a stronger research impact compared to China, which has an average of 46.6 citations per paper. This difference may be due to the emphasis on multi-agency collaborations, such as OPERA projects, and the higher proportion of randomized controlled trial (32% compared to 18% in China) that are more likely to be cited (4). China’s rapid growth, averaging 12 percent per year since 2015, can be attributed to increased investment in scientific research and enhanced collaboration on innovation, but its low average citation rate highlights the need to balance quantity with methodological rigour, for example, stricter adherence to CONSORT guidelines for clinical research.

Figure 3

3.3 Number of publications issued by institutions

CiteSpace was utilized to examine spatial collaboration in the oral and maxillofacial region from 2000 to 2024. The analysis involved dividing the time span into individual years and identifying the top 50 institutions in each year. In Figure 4A, the size of each node corresponds to the volume of published papers, while the connections between nodes represent collaborative relationships among institutions. Figure 4B highlights the University of São Paulo in Brazil as the leading institution with 154 publications, demonstrating strong partnerships with other institutions. Following closely is Aarhus University in Denmark, which produced 141 articles. Noteworthy among the top 10 institutions are two Dutch entities, namely Amsterdam University (114 articles) and Amsterdam Free University (100 articles), as well as three American universities: Florida University (91 articles), Maryland University (91 articles), and Minnesota University (80 articles). The data reveals the prominent positions of the United States and Brazil in terms of publication output, indicating significant global influence. China excels in the number of publications by institutions and has established robust international collaborations. The upward trajectory in publication output and influence underscores the continuous growth and impact of institutions in this field. The University of São Paulo (154 articles) and Aarhus University (141 articles) ranked as the top two institutions in terms of publication output, with citation rates of 22.4 and 48.8 times per article, respectively, indicating their significant influence in the field. The high impact of Aarhus University can be attributed to its pioneering validation study of the DCTMD (110), which has been cited 650 times and established a methodological “branding effect.” The strength of the University of São Paulo is evident in that 61 percent of its publications consist of case series or cross-sectional studies. To achieve even greater impact, we recommend that future research prioritize randomized controlled trials (RCTs), actively disseminate superior resources, strengthen collaborations, and contribute to the advancement of this field.

Figure 4

3.4 Periodicals and co-cited journals

A total of 627 journals have published articles on oromaxillofacial pain. When applying a threshold of 15, 50 journals meet the criteria, as depicted in Figure 5A. The Journal of Oral Rehabilitation leads in the number of published articles but ranks fourth in citations, with 4,769 citations. It exhibits the highest total connection strength, indicating extensive collaborations with other journals. Pain ranks fourth in published articles, with 129 articles, yet it garners the highest number of citations, underscoring its significant standing in the field. The top three journals by article count are the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation (n = 202), the Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache (n = 141), and the Journal of Oral Pain (n = 137). Pain boasts the highest impact factor (IF = 5.9), followed by the Journal of Dental Research (IF = 5.7, Q1) (Figure 5B). A co-citation network graph, constructed from 50 journals with a minimum citation count of 462, reveals three distinct clusters, each denoted by a different color. The green cluster comprises prestigious journals like Science, Nature, and Pain, symbolizing the forefront and pinnacle of their respective fields. The blue cluster is centered around the Journal of Pain, while the red cluster is dedicated to studies on oral and maxillofacial pain, as illustrated in Figure 5C. Among the 12,859 journals included in the analysis, only Pain (11,529 citations) exceeded 10,000 citations. Notably, only Pain and the Journal of Dental Research boasted an impact factor exceeding 5 points, as depicted in Figure 5D. The Journal of Oral Rehabilitation (202 articles) led in quantity, but Pain (129 articles, 8,767 citations) dominated in influence (IF = 5.9), partly due to its strict peer review focusing on mechanistic depth. Co-citation analysis revealed that high-impact journals (e.g., Nature, Pain) clustered around translational research, while specialty journals (e.g., Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache) focused on clinical applications. Notably, only 28% of articles in top journals reported sample size calculations, indicating a gap in methodological transparency.

Figure 5

3.5 Analysis of authors and co-cited authors

Among authors who published literature on oral and maxillofacial pain from 2000 to 2024, Figure 6A displays the top 10 most influential authors. Peter Svensson (n = 112) emerges as the most prolific author in oral and maxillofacial pain, followed by Frank Lobbezoo (n = 76) and Richard Ohrbach (n = 47). Combined with Figure 6B the author collaboration network diagram further confirms that the first two authors occupy prominent positions within the collaboration network, indicating their significant influence in this field. Figure 6C reveals that Schiffman is cited 793 times. The co-cited author network visualization diagram establishes a threshold of 164 citations per author, resulting in four clusters. The yellow cluster, with Manfredini at its core, is cited 793 times. The red cluster, centered on Schiffman, garners 733 citations. The blue cluster, led by Svensson, accumulates 777 citations. The green cluster, with Benoliel at its center, is cited 640 times as depicted in Figure 6D. Peter Svensson ranks first in both the number of published articles and citations, underscoring his significant influence in this field. The citation rates for Svensson (53.4 times per article) and Lobbezoo (55.5 times per article) were significantly higher than that of Schiffman (83.2 times per article). However, Schiffman’s elevated average is largely influenced by a single consensus document on DC/TMD published in 2014, which received 650 citations, while the remaining 46 articles averaged only 31.4 citations each. This indicates a “standout” case rather than a consistent pattern of high citations.

Figure 6

3.6 Analysis of co-cited references

The co-cited papers visualization is created using node size and connection line strength (see Figure 7A). Figure 7B displays the top 10 most cited articles, with Schiffman et al.’s work titled “International RDC/TMD Jointly Published Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (DC/TMD) in Clinical and Research Applications” having the highest number of citations, totaling 650.

Figure 7

Furthermore, a co-citation analysis was conducted on the timeline literature (Figure 7C). The analysis revealed that “catastrophization” (cluster 3), “trigeminal physiology” (cluster 13), “trigeminal ganglia” (cluster 15), and “predominant muscles” (cluster 17) emerged as early focal points. In the mid-term period (2005–2015), “trigeminal neuralgia” (cluster 0), “psychological stress” (cluster 4), “pain adaptation model” (cluster 5), “physiotherapy” (cluster 8), “surface electrography” (cluster 9), “non-patient” (cluster 14), “myofascial face pain” (cluster 16), “sleep bruxism” (cluster 18), and “oral health-related quality of life” (cluster 19) were identified as research hotspots. Subsequently, in the recent years (2015–2024), “stomatodynia” (cluster 1), “quantitative sensory testing” (cluster 2), “prevalence” (cluster 6), “sleep quality” (cluster 7), “quality of life” (cluster 11), and “graded chronic pain scale” (cluster 12) have emerged as popular research topics and continue to be hot spots in the realm of oral and maxillofacial pain.

In Figure 7D, we present the top 25 references with the highest citation bursts. Among these, Schiffman, E. authored “Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) for Clinical and Research Applications: Recommendations of the International RDC/TMD Consortium Network*” and the Orofacial Pain Special Interest Group, with an explosion intensity of 85.67, indicating significant impact. Benoliel, R. published “Classificação Internacional de Dor Orofacial, Primeira Edição (ICOP)—versão Português Brasileiro” in 2020, with an explosion intensity of 51.91, also demonstrating substantial influence in the field. Eighty percent of the highly cited articles were published between 2010 and 2015, with nearly all of them being diagnostic or consensus documents. After 2019, there was a sharp decline in the number of highly cited articles, indicating a phenomenon referred to as “standard saturation.” Concurrently, despite a significant increase in research on IL-6, TNF-α, and other molecular studies, these topics have yet to enter the top 10 of co-citation cores. This suggests that the current research frontier is becoming disconnected from the classical knowledge base. To address the “high citation-low transformation” gap, priority should be given to research that can validate molecular mechanisms and diagnostic criteria within a closed loop.

3.7 Keyword and bursty keyword analysis

Keyword frequency and link strength were assessed using VOS software. When the minimum keyword occurrence was set at 24, a total of 5,537 keywords were identified. Subsequently, with a threshold of 24, 49 keywords were obtained. The most prevalent keyword was “orofacial pain” (1,336 occurrences), followed by “temporomandibular joint disorder” (822), “trigeminal neuralgia” (237), “facial pain” (175), and “temporomandibular joint” (147) (Figure 8A). In Figure 8B yellow highlights current research hotspots including “stress,” “systematic review,” “dentistry,” “depression,” “COVID-19,” and “oral health-related quality of life.” “orofacial pain” emerged as a consistent hot topic throughout the entire period and exhibited the highest total link strength among all keywords.

Figure 8

This knowledge map comprises 817 keywords from oral and maxillofacial literature collected from the Web of Science Database between 2000 and 2024, analyzed using CITESPACE software (Figure 8C). The color clusters represent core research directions: Cluster #0 focuses on the diagnosis, pain mechanisms, and surgical intervention of temporomandibular disorders (TMD); Cluster #1 investigates the role of the trigeminal ganglion in oral and maxillofacial pain and associated symptoms; Cluster #2 discusses the application of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing temporomandibular joint diseases; Cluster #3 explores the mechanisms underlying masseter myofascial pain and central sensitization; Cluster #4 emphasizes the etiology and mechanisms of burning mouth syndrome; Cluster #5 examines myofascial pain resulting from masseter dysfunction; Cluster #6 addresses the involvement of the temporomandibular joint in rheumatoid arthritis; Cluster #7 looks at the application of manipulation in related diseases; and Cluster #9 investigates the molecular mechanisms of pain signaling in oral and maxillofacial contexts. By concentrating on oral and maxillofacial pain and integrating anatomy, imaging, molecular biology, and clinical disciplines, this study presents a closed loop of “Diagnosis-Mechanism-Intervention,’’ which supports the identification of research hotspots, the exploration of knowledge gaps, and the optimization of diagnosis and treatment strategies.

In Figure 8D, the following terms are examined during the early phase: “dysfunction,” “stimulation,” “idiopathic oral pain,” “meditative dorsal horn,” “formalin test,” “general population,” “cranidibular disorders,” “sex differences,” “rheumatoid arthritis,” and “atypical facial pain.” In the intermediate phase, the analysis includes “quantitative sensory testing,” “rats,” “dorsal horn,” “pathological therapy,” “unified concept,” “oral health,” “trigeminal nerve,” and “electromyographic activity,” as well as subsequent topics such as “diagnostic criteria,” “manual therapy,” “systematic review,” “quality,” “joint disorders,” “scale,” and “care.”

While the bibliometric corpus captures clinical and behavioral trends, it does not reveal the molecular substrates that drive these trends. Therefore, we have incorporated a targeted layer of gene entity extraction. In the genetic analysis presented in Figure 9, a total of 24,600 articles published between 2000 and 2024 were identified by searching for keywords related to orofacial pain, facial pain, maxillofacial pain, craniofacial pain, toothache, and jaw pain. Gene entities were extracted and statistically analyzed from the abstracts of these articles using the BioBERT biomedical language model. Among the analyzed genes, CRP was the most frequently mentioned in the literature, appearing in 346 articles, followed by TNF (326 articles) and IL6 (258 articles). This quantification helps to elucidate which inflammatory or neuromodulatory pathways (IL-6, TNF, CRP) are concurrently elevated alongside keyword bursts such as “central sensitization” or “systematic review.” Furthermore, it is beneficial to provide a translation bridge if a gene is cited more rapidly than its clinical descriptors, indicating readiness to transition applications from the laboratory to the clinic. This approach also facilitates researchers in cross-validating connections between gene trajectories and the citation surges of DC/TMD diagnostic criteria to examine whether mechanisms and pathological progression are synchronized. This two-scale design preserves the integrity of the macro-level narrative while providing funders and steering groups with a data-driven snapshot of molecular momentum.

Figure 9

4 Discussion

4.1 Geographical patterns

We systematically analyzed 3,372 papers on oral and maxillofacial pain published between 2000 and 2024 using CiteSpace and VOSviewer software with data sourced from the Web of Science database. In Figure 3A, the distribution of national publications is depicted, with the United States (1003), China (302), and Brazil (424) emerging as the top three contributors. These countries exhibit close collaboration with numerous other nations. Particularly, the United States engages extensively in academic exchanges and demonstrates significant global influence, This reflects the strength of its scientific research. China, characterized by a burgeoning annual publication output and collaborative partnerships with various countries, is experiencing a notable increase in influence over time.

Among the top 10 institutions worldwide in terms of the number of published papers (Figure 4), 90% are from developed countries. Notably, the United States contributes 30% of these publications, underscoring its significant role in advancing academic research in this field. The University of São Paulo in Brazil leads with 154 publications, yet its citation rate is relatively low, indicating a need to enhance the quality of its scientific output. Aarhus University in Denmark closely follows with 141 articles, ranking second in publication volume but first in citations, amassing a total of 6,878 citations at an average of 48.78 citations per document. This highlights the institution’s exceptional publication quality and its pivotal position in the field. While China ranks in the global top 10 for the number of publications, its institutions do not feature among the top 10 globally. This suggests a dispersed presence of Chinese institutions with limited inter-institutional collaboration. Moving forward, there is a pressing need to bolster collaboration efforts and prioritize the enhancement of scientific research quality in China.

The journal of Oral Rehabilitation has the highest number of articles published, with 202 citations and 8,767 total citations for pain, underscoring its significant standing in oral and maxillofacial pain research. Figure 6 reveals Svensson, Peter as the leading author in oral and maxillofac.

4.2 Keyword trends

Analysis of early-stage terms reveals fundamental theories, classical studies, and key trends in the field of oral and maxillofacial pain. Examining mid-term emerging terms uncovers current focal points and leading-edge developments, guiding scholars in aligning their research with prevailing trends and fostering a sharp research acumen. Late-stage emergent terms mirror the progression of trending topics, enabling timely adjustments to research inquiries and orientations to advance relevant technological developments. Evaluating post-emergence research trends offers insights into the research significance and potential of hot topics in oral and maxillofacial pain research.

Previous studies have linked temporomandibular dysfunction (42), sleep disorder (43), social disorder (44), myofascial disorder (45), and styloid process elongation to the onset or exacerbation of oral and maxillofacial pain (46), which can be influenced by psychological, anatomical, and environmental factors. Variations in oral and maxillofacial pain thresholds and tolerances have been observed among different populations and in response to mechanical, temperature, and electrical stimuli (47). Stimulation techniques can be used to assess oral and maxillofacial sensitivity and are integral to treatments like transcranial stimulation therapy and electrical stimulation-induced muscle regulation (48–50). Idiopathic facial pain, characterized by facial pain without a discernible cause (51, 52) such as trauma, infection, or tumor, represents a pain syndrome of unknown etiology, potentially linked to neurological disorders (53), vascular compression, genetic factors (54), and immune responses (55). Atypical facial pain is a type of facial pain with an unknown etiology that does not fit into any recognized facial pain syndrome category (56, 57). It typically presents as vague, challenging to articulate pain in the facial, cranial, or cervical regions, resembling idiopathic pain. Studies have shown a prevalence of pain attacks in the general population, with notable gender variations (58–60). Research indicates a connection between the medullary dorsal horn and orofacial pain (61, 62). The medullary dorsal horn serves as a crucial processing center for sensory input from the trigeminal nerve, where pain signals from the oral and maxillofacial areas are initially received and interpreted. Various factors can contribute to orofacial pain, including oral pathologies (e.g., pulpitis, periapical periodontitis, pericoronitis of wisdom teeth), temporomandibular joint disorders, and neuropathic conditions (e.g., trigeminal neuralgia). Early-stage rheumatoid arthritis has been associated with pain interactions (63, 64), potentially affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder, not only impacts limb joints but can also involve the temporomandibular joint, leading to symptoms like pain, swelling, and restricted movement. The condition involves the immune system attacking synovial tissue, cartilage, and other orofacial structures, contributing to the experience of pain.

Research on children’s oral health has gained significant attention in the medium term, emphasizing its importance (65). Studies on the temporomandibular joint and oral health-related indices, such as the quantitative sensory test (QST), have emerged as crucial methods for evaluating sensory function in diagnosing oral and maxillofacial pain (66, 67). QST enables the measurement of various sensory thresholds, including temperature perception and pain, providing valuable insights into the sensory status of the oral and maxillofacial region (68). Oral and maxillofacial pain is intricately linked to electromyography (EMG) activity. Normal conditions exhibit specific EMG activity patterns in the muscles of the oral and maxillofacial region. However, the onset of oral and maxillofacial pain often leads to alterations in EMG activity in the affected muscles. For instance, in cases of temporomandibular joint disorder causing oral and maxillofacial pain, the electromyography activity of masticatory muscles (such as the masseter muscle and temporal muscle) may display heightened potential and irregular muscle activity. Analyzing EMG activity proves beneficial in diagnosing muscle-related origins of oral and maxillofacial pain and evaluating muscle functional status (69, 70). Various physical therapies are employed for oral and maxillofacial pain management. Warm compresses improve local blood flow, alleviate muscle spasms, and mitigate pain. Conversely, cold compress application during the onset of pain can diminish swelling and decrease nerve ending sensitivity. Massage techniques are employed by professionals to alleviate tension in oral and maxillofacial muscles, such as masticatory and temporal muscles, thereby improving muscle flexibility (71, 72). Ultrasound therapy is utilized to penetrate deep tissues, leveraging its warmth and mechanical effects to alleviate pain. Additionally, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is employed to activate nerve fibers and induce in vivo caffeine release for pain reduction (73, 74). Oral and maxillofacial pain nociceptor activation can stem from various factors, triggering pain signal transmission and central sensitization processes. This phenomenon is associated with a wide array of causes, including oral conditions like caries, pulpitis, apicitis, and pericoronitis of wisdom teeth. Primary nerve diseases, such as trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralgia, along with musculoskeletal disorders like muscle dysfunction, temporomandibular dysfunction, and bruxism (75), share a common pathogenesis. This includes the activation of nociceptor nerve endings, the transmission of pain signals along nerve fibers (76) to trigeminal subnucleus caudalis, and subsequently to the cerebral cortex via the spinothalamic tract. Prolonged exposure to pain can induce plastic changes in the central nervous system, resulting in heightened sensitivity of trigeminal nerve to pain signals. This heightened sensitivity can lead to a robust pain response even with minor stimulation, thereby playing a crucial role in chronic oral and maxillofacial pain (77). The trigeminal nerve, the fifth pair of cranial nerves, is a mixed nerve comprising the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular branches. It governs the tactile, pain, and temperature sensations of the oral and maxillofacial regions. Its association with oral and maxillofacial pain can manifest as secondary primary trigeminal neuralgia and can transmit pain from other oral and maxillofacial conditions such as pulpitis, periapical periodontitis, periodontitis, and temporomandibular joint disorders. The trigeminal nerve is intricately involved in pain modulation and harbors various neurotransmitters and modulators like substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide.

Currently, research primarily focuses on the molecular mechanisms (78), neuroplasticity (79), and neuroimmune interactions (80) underlying oral and maxillofacial pain. The diagnostic criteria for such pain are multifaceted and vary depending on the underlying cause. Typically, a comprehensive approach is adopted, involving a thorough collection of medical history, clinical examinations encompassing oral, maxillofacial, and neurological assessments, imaging techniques like X-ray, CT, and MRI, as well as additional tests such as pulp vitality and electromyography examinations (23, 81). Treatment of oral and maxillofacial pain often involves a combination of therapies, including physical interventions (82, 83), manual techniques like massage (84), exercise regimens including targeted muscle-stretching and controlled chewing exercises, occlusal treatments like splints and orthodontic interventions, injection therapies like joint cavity injections (85) and nerve blocks, and psychotherapeutic approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (86). In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the systematic analysis of oral and maxillofacial pain diseases, aiming to investigate various aspects such as incidence, etiology, treatment, mechanisms, and impacts (65, 87, 88). Oral and maxillofacial pain can be attributed to joint disorders, including conditions like masticatory muscle disorders caused by prolonged unilateral chewing and increased mental stress, leading to excessive tension in the masticatory muscles, resulting in pain. Temporomandibular joint disorders manifest with symptoms such as joint snapping, pain, and restricted mouth opening. Additionally, oral diseases like periodontitis and pulpitis can also induce pain when they affect the surrounding tissues. Current research by scholars is centered on the environmental factors, treatment modalities, and pathogenesis of these diseases (89–91). Various pain assessment scales, validated tools such as the 0–10 visual analogue scale (VAS) and the 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS) are routinely used to quantify pain intensity and distinguish between different disease conditions (92, 93). The presence of oral and maxillofacial pain significantly impacts the quality of life of patients (94). Simultaneously, the quality of life plays a crucial role in the progression of oral and maxillofacial pain. Monitoring changes in patients’ quality of life is closely associated with the onset, advancement, and management of these diseases (95, 96). Effective nursing care is vital for daily pain management, encompassing practices such as ensuring adequate rest, consuming softer foods to prevent exacerbation of pain, emotional self-regulation for psychological well-being, and localized application of heat compresses to enhance blood circulation (97–99).

Building on existing bibliometric foundations in dentistry and pain research, our analysis addresses a critical blind spot: prior studies have treated orofacial pain either as a regional subset of chronic pain or as an ancillary outcome of dental disease, thereby overlooking its unique position at the intersection of dentistry, pain science, and psychology. We demonstrate, for the first time, that orofacial pain constitutes an independent, transdisciplinary field. First, by foregrounding oral-specific mechanisms—such as the trigeminal ganglion, the temporomandibular joint, and their bidirectional crosstalk with the central nervous system (CNS)—we extend pain bibliometrics beyond spinal pathways and single-discipline silos. Second, we recenter pain as the primary research object: diagnostic criteria based on the International Classification of Orofacial Pain (ICOP) and botulinum toxin paradigms challenge the disease-centric narrative prevalent in dental literature, while molecular pathways (e.g., TNF, IL-6) and psychosocial factors emerge as core drivers of pain chronification. Finally, integrating BioBERT gene-entity extraction dynamically couples macro-level citation trends with micro-level molecular targets (e.g., IL-6 in temporomandibular joint pain), offering a new methodological toolkit for identifying translational opportunities. Collectively, these advances push general pain and dental bibliometrics toward a domain-specific, biopsychosocial framework.

This study presents the inaugural bibliometric analysis of oral and maxillofacial pain, offering a comprehensive overview of its development and research landscape. The findings aim to aid scientific research decision-making processes and serve as a valuable reference for various aspects within the field, including collaboration choices, journal selection, and manuscript preparation. By identifying emerging research trends, highlighting key areas of interest, and outlining future directions of study in oral and maxillofacial pain, this analysis is instrumental in guiding discipline planning and enhancing scholars’ comprehension of the academic research standards and advancements in this domain.

However, there are notable deficiencies in the current research. The database utilized is limited in scope, warranting a comprehensive search across multiple databases. The large volume of retrieved records raises the risk of inadvertent omissions, underscoring the importance of standardizing retrieval formulas and procedures. Disparities in research output across different regions highlight the need for enhanced inter-regional collaboration to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaborative advancement. Furthermore, the exploration of specific research avenues, such as delving into the intricate mechanisms underpinning the relationship between distinct etiologies and pain, remains inadequate, signaling a necessity to augment investments in these promising domains moving forward.

4.3 Future recommendations

This bibliometric map not only charts the research landscape but also translates data into actionable insights. By highlighting “diagnostic criteria” and “manual therapy” as dominant yet evolving hotspots, we identify priority areas for funding: longitudinal validation of ICOP-2020 subtypes and mechanism-driven trials comparing manual therapy to botulinum toxin. The persistent citation burst of Schiffman’s DC/TMD criteria (burst = 85.67) underscores the necessity for training curricula that incorporate these standardized tools into dental and neurology residency programs. Furthermore, the underrepresentation of quality-of-life endpoints in high-impact journals—where only 28% report sample-size calculations—indicates that future clinical guidelines should mandate the inclusion of patient-reported outcome measures alongside traditional pain scores, ensuring that resource allocation aligns with patient-centered care rather than solely with publication metrics.

Currently, there are several promising biomarkers, including salivary cortisol in sialomics, a multiplex panel encompassing DHEA, neuropeptide Y, IL-6, TNF-α, and the miR-146 and let-7 families, as well as a panel targeting the salivary gland for real-time monitoring of orofacial pain (100). In circulating microRNAs, leader miR-34a-5p and miR-331-3p serve as early, non-invasive indicators of TMJ-related chronic pain, following the precedent set by depression panels, thereby facilitating early diagnosis and treatment of orofacial pain (101). In immunometabolic heterozygotes, the combination of high-sensitivity CRP with plasma diacetamine (a doxorubicin-reactive metabolite) predicts treatment refractoriness in the trigeminal nerve (102). With the rise of AI, its application in this field has become increasingly widespread, including pain type classifiers, training gradient boosting models on longitudinal saliva miRNA and QST data, and enhancing the accuracy of classification results to predict the transition from acute to chronic orofacial pain (103). The visualization of Shap values in interpretable AI dashboards is integrated into electronic health record plug-ins, allowing clinicians to identify which biomarkers or psychological covariates influence each risk score (104). In joint learning, privacy-preserving machine learning is conducted between multicenter TMJ registries (USA Opera, Denmark TMD case) without sharing raw patient data (105). It is essential to utilize richer databases and bibliometric research methods, such as enhanced data sources, the use of PubMed’s open-access subset, the European PMC preprint, and clinicaltrials.gov to supplement Web of Science, in order to capture grey literature and negative results (106). Linking genes, devices, and psychological scales through BioBERT and UMLS in entity extraction promotes keyword counting for automated concept recognition (107). At the temporal granularity level, the R package bibliometrics was employed to transition from annual slices to quarterly snapshots, capturing rapidly evolving research or policy shifts related to orofacial pain (108). Certainly, at the validation level, we should cross-map emerging terms with existing systematic review platforms such as Cochrane Pain and Prospero to flag underrepresented studies and avoid duplication (109).

In the future, more in-depth studies are needed to explore the interactions within neuro-immune-endocrine networks, the application of biomarkers for personalized diagnosis and treatment plans, and the use of organoid models or artificial intelligence to predict pain progression. These advancements offer new insights into the mechanisms and management of oral and maxillofacial pain; however, significant challenges remain for interdisciplinary collaboration and clinical application. In the future, there is a need to delve deeper into the interplay of neuro-immune-endocrine networks, create personalized diagnostic and treatment plans utilizing biomarkers, and forecast the progression of pain using organoid models or artificial intelligence. These advancements offer fresh perspectives on the mechanisms and management of oral and maxillofacial pain; however, interdisciplinary cooperation and clinical application pose significant challenges.

5 Conclusion

After a quarter-century of accumulating global scholarly research, this bibliometric analysis positions orofacial pain as an emerging interdisciplinary frontier rather than merely a subdiscipline of dental or general pain science. By integrating 3,372 literature records into a dynamic evolution of knowledge map, it reveals several key transitions for researchers. Among these, the three most important aspects are: (1) a shift from symptom-anchored investigations to mechanism-centered investigations, indicated by the predominance of trigeminal neuron-specific pathways and IL-6/TNF-α signaling; (2) the academic influence of researchers and institutions has transitioned from a “North-led” pattern to form multi-center, albeit uneven, collaboration networks that focus more on the mechanistic depth of research rather than the volume of research. It is essential to strengthen academic exchanges and cooperation, grasp the research frontier hotspots, and facilitate the transition from clinical research to clinical application; (3) the paradigmatic expansion of therapeutic discourse from procedural intervention to an integrated bio-psycho-social model is reflected in the continued surge in citations related to the DC/TMD criteria and manual therapeutic evidence. These macro trends collectively highlight a core need: future research progress will no longer depend on the simple accumulation of case series. Instead, we must build coordinated, federated data ecosystems that integrate technologies such as saliva multiomics and interpretable artificial intelligence, while leveraging existing systematic review infrastructures to avoid cognitive redundancy, identify the best practices, and discard the ineffective ones. In summary, this study constructs a new framework for a “Precision Medicine Methodology Proving Ground” for oral and facial pain research. The implementation of this framework necessitates the establishment of an interoperability registry system, the adoption of privacy-protective data analysis methods, and the development of training systems for clinical scientists to dismantle the barriers posed by traditional departmental structures.

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