The funding sources of implantology research in the period 2008-2017: A bibliometric analysis

Background Implant dentistry is subject to major economic pressures as a result of the growth in the manufacturing and commercialization of dental implants. Purpose To examine research funding in implant dentistry by means of a bibliometric analysis of articles indexed in Web of Science (WoS) published during the period 2008-2017. Materials and Methods The search was conducted applying the truncated term "implant*" in the WoS dentistry area. Only items labeled as "article" or "review" were selected. Records were manually refined and normalized to unify terms and to remove typographical, transcription, and/or indexing errors. Results A total of 14 255 records were identified for analysis. About 5002 of the 14 255 published works received funding. Of these, 85.9% of funded research articles received at least one citation. Of the 7733 funding entities mentioned, 29.8% were government entities, 25% NGOs and Foundations, 23.7% private companies, 19.6% academic entities, and 1.9% hospitals and research centers. Clinical Oral Implants Research and the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants published the highest numbers of funded articles. Conclusions This study revealed an overall increase in the funding of research in implant dentistry in recent years. Funded articles were cited more frequently and published in journals with higher impact factors.