Document Type : Original Article
The history of endodontics spans more than 9,000 years, from early pain relief methods to advanced microsurgical techniques (1, 2). Early evidence includes Neolithic skull trephination (1, 2), Egyptian mummified teeth (3), and a Judean skull with the earliest known root canal treatment (4). During the Middle Ages, dental disease was commonly attributed to "tooth worms," but the Renaissance marked a turning point with significant scientific advancements. The field progressed substantially after the discovery of X-rays in 1895 (5), although it faced setbacks following the focal infection
theory proposed in 1910 (6). Endodontics was later advanced by the pioneering research of Louis Grossman, widely regarded as the Father of Endodontics (7). Today, it is an evidence-based specialty focused on preserving natural dentition through the application of modern materials, imaging technologies, and minimally invasive techniques.
The continuous evolution of endodontic practice relies heavily on advancements in research, which drive innovation in instruments, materials, techniques, and treatment modalities. Understanding research trends and their implications for clinical practice provides a strategic framework for identifying knowledge gaps and shaping the future of the field. By fostering high-quality investigations and promoting collaboration, such insights can improve professional standards and support the broader contribution of endodontics to healthcare (8). Several organizational and publishing developments have influenced the evolution of endodontics as a formal discipline. Notable among these are the formation of professional associations such as the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) and the launch of dedicated journals such as the Journal of Endodontics (JOE), which contributed to the structuring of educational, research, and clinical activities in the field.
Foundation of the AAE
In 1939, Louis Grossman founded the Philadelphia Study Club to unite dentists dedicated to advancing root canal therapy, with early members including Israel Bender and Samuel Seltzer. Supported by leaders such as William Gies, founder of the International Association for Dental Research, and Pierce Anthony, editor of the Journal of the American Dental Association (ADA), Grossman pursued the idea of establishing a national organization. After collaborating with Clyde Davis, who shared a similar goal, they planned an inaugural meeting during the Chicago Dental Society Conference and initially proposed the formation of the American Root Therapy Association (9).
On February 25, 1943, nineteen dentists gathered in Chicago, Illinois, to create a dedicated platform for sharing their experiences. They unanimously agreed to name the new organization the American Association of Endodontists. Key pioneers—including Louis Grossman, Edgar Coolidge, Clyde Davis, John Hospers, Harry Johnston, and Ralph Sommer—played instrumental roles in shaping the association (9, 10). In 1944, the organization formally adopted the name American Association of Endodontists. The AAE steadily grew in membership and professional influence, eventually becoming a leading global authority in the field (10).
In 1963, the AAE achieved a significant turning point when the ADA formally recognized endodontics as the eighth dental specialty. This recognition further strengthened the AAE's role in defining standards of care and certification for endodontic professionals. The AAE's mission has evolved over the decades, but its core purpose remains consistent: “to advance the art and science of endodontics and to promote the highest standards of patient care” (10). Today, the AAE has more than 8,000 members globally and continues to be a cornerstone of the endodontic community (10, 11). Supplementary Table S1 lists all the AAE presidents throughout its history, beginning with Clyde Davis (1943–1944); the current president is Craig Noblett (2026–2027) (10).
Establishment of the JOE
In 1943, only a few publications on endodontics were available. The first book exclusively devoted to the field, A Practicable Root Canal Technique, was written by Arthur Crane of Washington, D.C., and published in 1920. Two decades later, a second major work, Root Canal Therapy, was published in the United States by Grossman. Reflecting evolving terminology, its title was later updated to Endodontic Practice (12).
Between 1946 and 1949, the AAE published a quarterly journal, the Journal of Endodontia, which marked the first attempt at a dedicated endodontic periodical (13). Following the discontinuation of the Journal of Endodontia, endodontic content transitioned to a dedicated section in Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology (commonly known as Triple O), which became the main outlet for AAE-affiliated content (10, 12). During this transitional period, many endodontists also submitted their work to broader dental journals such as the Journal of the American Dental Association and Dental Clinics of North America, reflecting the specialty’s expanding academic and clinical presence. Recognizing the need for a dedicated, peer-reviewed monthly journal, the AAE officially introduced the JOE at its 1975 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, where AAE President Alfred L. Frank humorously announced the birth of a “baby boy named JOE” (12, 13). Over time, the JOE has featured a range of formatting styles and cover designs, as illustrated in Figure 1, which includes the original Journal of Endodontia and representative covers from the JOE’s 50-year history.
Since its inception, the JOE’s editorial leadership has been shaped by six Editors-in-Chief (Figure 2):
1. Worth B. Gregory (January 1975–May 1977) – Founding Editor-in-Chief, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2. Daniel B. Green (June 1977–April 1979) – Medical College of Virginia
3. Irving J. Naidorf (May 1979–January 1985) – Columbia University
4. Steve Montgomery (February 1985–January 1988) – University of Texas Health Science Center
5. Henry J. Van Hassel (February 1988–January 2003) – Oregon Health Sciences University
6. Kenneth M. Hargreaves (February 2003–Present) – Current Editor-in-Chief, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
In recent decades, the JOE has embraced significant advancements in digital publishing. The adoption of the Editorial Manager platform has streamlined the submission and peer-review process, enhancing accessibility for authors worldwide. Currently, the JOE is classified as a Quartile 1 journal, signifying its placement in the top 25% of journals within its category based on
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Figure 1. Composite image showing a cover of the Journal of Endodontics from 1946 and nine selected JOE cover designs spanning 1975 to 2025 (tiled and reproduced with permission from Elsevier. © 1975–2025 Elsevier. License number: 1621638-1).
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key bibliometric indicators such as impact factor (IF) and citation metrics. The characteristics and metrics of the JOE are summarized in Table 1 (10, 11, 14-16).
The JOE features letters to the editor, review articles, original research (clinical and non-clinical studies), case reports, and clinical techniques. These articles cover traditional topics like conventional endodontic treatment and emerging areas like regenerative endodontics and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in endodontic diagnostics. Approximately 620 experts from around the world serve as members of the scientific advisory board, collaborating with the journal in the peer review process (10, 11).
Bibliometric perspectives
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Figure 2. Editors-in-chief of the JOE over the years, with heartfelt remembrance of those who are no longer with us |
Bibliometrics, a quantitative evaluation of scholarly publications and a critical tool for evaluating journal performance, is an effective approach for mapping the conceptual structure of a research field and quantitatively analyzing academic literature (17). It is used to examine citation patterns, authorship trends, and publication growth, providing critical insights into the impact and reach of research (18). Key bibliometric indicators such as the IF, which reflects the average number of citations received per article published in a journal over the preceding two years, and the h-index, an author-level metric assessing both productivity and citation impact, help researchers in selecting reputable journals, targeting the appropriate audience, and avoiding duplication in well-established areas. In contrast, scientometrics encompasses a broader analytical framework that extends beyond publication metrics to examine patterns of scientific collaboration, thematic evolution, and global research trends, thereby illuminating the dynamics of scientific advancement (18-20).
The origins of bibliometric and scientometric studies can be traced to the 1960s, when Derek J. de Solla Price introduced quantitative methods to study the growth and structure of science, notably through his work Little Science, Big Science (21). Building on these foundations, Eugene Garfield developed citation indices and launched the Science Citation Index (SCI) in 1964, enabling researchers to track citation patterns and identify influential studies (22). The field advanced further in the 2000s with the launch of Scopus in 2004 and the introduction of the h-index by Jorge Hirsch in
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Table 1. Characteristics and key metrics of the JOE
All citation metrics were retrieved from Web of Science (2026) and Scopus, where indicated.
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2005, a widely used metric for assessing researcher productivity and impact (18).
Bibliometric analyses in endodontics have grown significantly since the early 2000s, reflecting the field’s expanding research base and evolving methodologies. Early studies primarily explored influential articles and citation patterns in leading journals like the JOE and the International Endodontic Journal. Over time, these analyses have expanded to include emerging topics such as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and regenerative endodontics, demonstrating the dynamic nature of the field (23).
Despite its prominence, the long-term impact of the JOE remains underexplored. Previous studies have focused on narrow aspects such as topic trends or short-term citation patterns, but no comprehensive analysis has assessed the journal’s broader role in shaping research directions, fostering collaboration, or influencing the field of endodontics (23). As the JOE marks its 50th anniversary, this study presents the first part of a three-part bibliometric and scientometric analysis covering publications from 1975 to 2024, using data from the Scopus database (10, 11). The purpose of this research is to provide a historical overview and examine publication trends and citation impact.
Materials and methods
Ethical approval
This study was conducted in strict adherence to publication ethics guidelines and was formally approved as Non-Human Subject Research (NHSR) by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) / Ethics Committee of West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA (Protocol #0887).
Data collection
On December 31, 2024, a comprehensive search was conducted in Elsevier’s Scopus database using the exact source identifier for the Journal of Endodontics (Source ID: 23803; ISSN: 0099-2399) with the query: SRCTITLE ("Journal of Endodontics") AND PUBYEAR > 1974 AND PUBYEAR < 2025. This ensured the complete capture of all 609 published issues (standard and supplementary) indexed during the 50-year evaluation period. The overall methodological structure of this review was informed by the preliminary reporting guideline for bibliometric reviews of biomedical literature, which provides structured recommendations for the essential components of bibliometric reporting, including search transparency, eligibility criteria, descriptive synthesis, and schematic presentation of trends (24).
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Figure 3. Flowchart illustrating initial search and data filtration of the JOE publications
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The search output was exported as a CSV file. Key fields included in the export were authors, title, year, volume, issue, pages, keywords, cited by, affiliations, corresponding author, document type, and references, providing a comprehensive dataset for detailed examination.
Data cleaning and processing
The initial export comprised 9,630 documents, representing the full publication record available in the Scopus database for the JOE. It contained raw information that required extensive data processing to ensure accuracy, consistency, and relevance. This involved excluding non-relevant document types (e.g., editorials and insights), addressing inconsistencies in metadata (e.g., author names or affiliations), and standardizing entries for consistency across all fields, using Python for implementation. These refinements resulted in a dataset of 8,753 documents, representing only the relevant scientific articles suitable for bibliometric and scientometric evaluation. Figure 3 illustrates the data filtering process used to achieve this final refined dataset.
Since there were some discrepancies in the spelling of author names due to misspellings or changes in name preference over time, the publication count for all authors was recalculated and confirmed using the unique Scopus ID for each author. For example, Markus Haapasalo had several variations of his name, including Haapasalo, Markus (93 articles), Haapasalo, M.P.P. (one article), and Haapasalo, Markus P. (one article). Therefore, the total publication count for this author was considered 95. Additionally, to ensure consistency, the data were standardized by accounting for variations in country names, including but not limited to US (USA, United States, United States of America, U.S., or U.S.A.) or UK (United Kingdom, England, or Britain). Geographical and institutional distributions were analyzed using full co-authorship counting, with each country and institution in the author affiliation list receiving one count per article.
Bibliometric parameters
To comprehensively analyze the contributions and impact of the JOE, various bibliometric variables were evaluated. The variables analyzed in this study include publication and journal metrics, citation metrics, and authorship metrics. These variables were carefully selected to provide insights into the journal's publication trends, citation dynamics, and authorship patterns.
Statistical analysis and software overview
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Figure 4. Total articles published per year, average articles per issue, and growth trends across five decades.
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In this study, a combination of descriptive statistics and visualization techniques was employed to analyze publication metrics, citation trends, and authorship patterns in the JOE. The primary focus was on descriptive approaches to summarize and interpret data trends. This study did not involve inferential statistics (such as hypothesis testing) as the goal was exploratory; however, descriptive techniques offered valuable insights. For comparison of IF, the official Clarivate website was used to find past JOE IFs (14).
Results
Through the evaluation of articles published in the JOE, the following results were obtained:
Publication metrics
Number of publications
The JOE has consistently published 12 regular issues annually and nine supplementary issues, with a total of 609 issues. The supplementary issues highlight significant events, collaborations, and advancements in endodontics (Supplementary Table S2). A total of 9,630 documents were published, including 8,753 scientific articles, of which 582 were available through Open Access.
Publication trends
Sixty-two articles were published in 1975, and 172 articles were published in 2024, reflecting significant growth in research output over the past five decades. JOE published approximately 169.22 articles per year, with annual growth rates varying over time, reflecting periods of rapid growth and stability (Figure 4).
The journal experienced steady publication output until the early 2000s, followed by a sharp increase, peaking at over 350 articles between 2010 and 2015. This was followed by a decline after 2018, with publication output stabilizing in recent years. While the average articles per issue remained consistent, the growth rate fluctuated, with notable spikes and declines.
Document types
Over the years, the JOE has published 8,173 original research articles, 291 review articles, and 289 case reports/clinical techniques.
Geographical distribution
In terms of the global distribution of research in the field, researchers in the United States published 2,319 publications, followed by researchers from Brazil (1,134) and China (506). Other major contributors include researchers from Turkey (382), South Korea (339), Japan (331), Canada (322), Italy (297), Germany (248), and the United Kingdom (212). Researchers from India (187), Spain (180), Australia (168), and Iran (156) also made significant contributions. Other contributors included researchers from Taiwan (153), Switzerland (144), France (144), Israel (120), Saudi Arabia (107), and Greece (99).
Citation metrics
Total citations and citation trends
Over the past 50 years, articles in the JOE have received 390,265 citations (mean = 44.59 citations per article; median = 26 citations per article).
The citation analysis of the JOE demonstrates the steady and significant growth in scholarly influence. In the initial decade (1975–1984), the journal garnered 10,485 citations, reflecting its early establishment and initial recognition within the field. Citation counts increased substantially in the following decades, reaching 33,618 citations in the 1980s (1985-1994) and 59,111 in the 1990s (1995-2004). The most significant surge occurred in the 21st century, with citations increasing to 130,331 in the 2000s (2005-2014) and peaking at 144,857 in the 2010s (2015-2024).
h-index, g-index, and i10-index
Although the most recent Journal Citation Reports from Web of Science indicate an h-index of 171 (14), our analysis using Scopus data shows a higher h-index of 204, meaning that 204 articles published in the journal have each received at least 204 citations.
The g-index was calculated as 293, indicating that the top 293 articles collectively received at least 293² = 85,849 citations.
The i10-index was calculated as 6,927, indicating that 6,927 articles published in the journal have received at least 10 citations each.
Most-cited articles
Top 100 most-cited articles
Table 2 shows the 100 most-cited articles published by the JOE. Citations for these articles range from 1,337 to 263. The senior authors of the three most-cited articles (Matthias Zehnder, Ulf Sjögren, and Mahmoud Torabinejad) can be regarded as highly influential figures in endodontics.
Top authors with the highest number of articles among the most-cited articles
Based on the analysis of authorship data from the list of 100 most-cited articles, Mahmoud Torabinejad stands out as the most prolific contributor among these articles. As the first author, Torabinejad appeared on 11 publications, more than any other first author on the list. Other notable first authors include Domenico Ricucci and Franklin Tay, each with three first-author publications.
When the analysis is expanded to include all authorship positions, Torabinejad's contributions increase to 15 publications, further underscoring his critical role in the field. He is followed by Thomas Pitt Ford, with 8 contributions, while Kenneth Hargreaves contributed 6 articles.
Distribution of contributions among the 100 most-cited articles by country and university
Supplementary Table S3 presents the distribution of research contributions among the 100 most-cited articles by country. Researchers from the United States accounted for the largest number of contributions (62 articles), followed by researchers from Brazil with 11 contributions.
In terms of institutional affiliations, Loma Linda University ranked first with 15 contributions, followed by the University of Texas Health Science Center with 14. The United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospitals, University of London, United Kingdom, contributed eight articles, whereas Estácio de Sá University, Brazil, contributed six. Institutions with four articles each included the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, the University of Southern California, the University of Zürich (Switzerland), and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Those contributing three articles each were the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Iran), Texas A&M University, Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, the University of Pennsylvania, Catholic University of Sacred Heart (Italy), the University of Minnesota, and the University of British Columbia (Canada).
Distribution of most-cited articles in each decade
By decade, the distribution of the most-cited articles was as follows: 1975–1984 (6 articles), 1985–1994 (14 articles), 1995–2004 (27 articles), 2005–2014 (51 articles), and 2015–2024 (2 articles).
Journal metrics and citation age patterns
Peak citation age
The peak citation age for the JOE was 14 years, indicating that articles receive the highest number of citations approximately 14 years after publication. However, this metric reflects a cross-sectional snapshot influenced by historical publication volume and cumulative exposure time rather than an absolute post-publication citation rate curve.
Table 2. The 100 most-cited articles published in the JOE
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Rank |
First Author |
Article Title |
Year |
Cited by |
|
1 |
Zehnder, Matthias |
Root Canal Irrigants |
2006 |
1,337 |
|
2 |
Sjögren, Ulf |
Factors affecting the long-term results of endodontic treatment |
1990 |
1,192 |
|
3 |
Torabinejad, Mahmoud |
Physical and chemical properties of a new root-end filling material |
1995 |
1,020 |
|
4 |
Peters, Ove A. |
Current challenges and concepts in the preparation of root canal systems: A review |
2004 |
987 |
|
5 |
Parirokh, Masoud |
Mineral Trioxide Aggregate: A Comprehensive Literature Review-Part III: Clinical Applications, Drawbacks, and Mechanism of Action |
2010 |
958 |
|
6 |
Sonoyama, Wataru |
Characterization of the Apical Papilla and Its Residing Stem Cells from Human Immature Permanent Teeth: A Pilot Study |
2008 |
940 |
|
7 |
Torabinejad, Mahmoud |
Clinical applications of mineral trioxide aggregate |
1999 |
878 |
|
8 |
Parirokh, Masoud |
Mineral Trioxide Aggregate: A Comprehensive Literature Review-Part I: Chemical, Physical, and Antibacterial Properties |
2010 |
863 |
|
9 |
Stuart, Charles H. |
Enterococcus faecalis: Its role in root canal treatment failure and current concepts in retreatment |
2006 |
844 |
|
10 |
Walia, Harmeet |
An initial investigation of the bending and torsional properties of nitinol root canal files |
1988 |
777 |
|
11 |
Pruett, John P. |
Cyclic fatigue testing of nickel-titanium endodontic instruments. |
1997 |
751 |
|
12 |
Torabinejad, Mahmoud |
Sealing ability of a mineral trioxide aggregate when used as a root end filling material |
1993 |
742 |
|
13 |
Banchs, Francisco |
Revascularization of immature permanent teeth with apical periodontitis: New treatment protocol? |
2004 |
727 |
|
14 |
Siqueira Jr., José F. |
Clinical Implications and Microbiology of Bacterial Persistence after Treatment Procedures |
2008 |
715 |
|
15 |
Schwartz, Richard S. |
Post placement and restoration of endodontically treated teeth: A literature review |
2004 |
708 |
|
16 |
Murray, Peter E. |
Regenerative Endodontics: A Review of Current Status and a Call for Action |
2007 |
679 |
|
17 |
Torabinejad, Mahmoud |
Mineral Trioxide Aggregate: A Comprehensive Literature Review-Part II: Leakage and Biocompatibility Investigations |
2010 |
669 |
|
18 |
Lee, Seung-Jong |
Sealing ability of a mineral trioxide aggregate for repair of lateral root perforations |
1993 |
621 |
|
19 |
Sattapan, Boonrat |
Defects in rotary nickel-titanium files after clinical use. |
2000 |
620 |
|
20 |
Huang, George T.-J. |
The Hidden Treasure in Apical Papilla: The Potential Role in Pulp/Dentin Regeneration and BioRoot Engineering |
2008 |
598 |
|
21 |
Sarkar, Nikhil K. |
Physicochemical basis of the biologic properties of mineral trioxide aggregate |
2005 |
596 |
|
22 |
Kim, Syngcuk |
Modern Endodontic Surgery Concepts and Practice: A Review |
2006 |
549 |
|
23 |
Reeh, Ernest S. |
Reduction in tooth stiffness as a result of endodontic and restorative procedures |
1989 |
536 |
|
24 |
McComb, Dorothy |
A preliminary scanning electron microscopic study of root canals after endodontic procedures |
1975 |
535 |
|
25 |
Cordeiro, Mabel M. |
Dental Pulp Tissue Engineering with Stem Cells from Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth |
2008 |
526 |
|
26 |
Gu, Li-sha |
Review of Contemporary Irrigant Agitation Techniques and Devices |
2009 |
524 |
|
27 |
Ricucci, Domenico |
Biofilms and apical periodontitis: Study of prevalence and association with clinical and histopathologic findings |
2010 |
503 |
|
28 |
Nair, P.N. Ramachandran |
Intraradicular bacteria and fungi in root-filled, asymptomatic human teeth with therapy-resistant periapical lesions: A long-term light and electron microscopic follow-up study |
1990 |
500 |
|
29 |
Ather, Amber |
Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19): Implications for Clinical Dental Care |
2020 |
484 |
|
30 |
Rôças, Isabela N. |
Association of Enterococcus faecalis with different forms of periradicular diseases |
2004 |
472 |
|
31 |
Torabinejad, Mahmoud |
A new solution for the removal of the smear layer |
2003 |
460 |
|
32 |
Sert, Semih |
Evaluation of the root canal configurations of the mandibular and maxillary permanent teeth by gender in the Turkish population |
2004 |
459 |
|
33 |
Estrela, Carlos |
Accuracy of Cone Beam Computed Tomography and Panoramic and Periapical Radiography for Detection of Apical Periodontitis |
2008 |
450 |
|
34 |
Torabinejad, Mahmoud |
In vitro bacterial penetration of coronally unsealed endodontically treated teeth |
1990 |
443 |
|
35 |
Cotton, Taylor P. |
Endodontic Applications of Cone-Beam Volumetric Tomography |
2007 |
425 |
|
36 |
Tronstad, Leif |
pH changes in dental tissues after root canal filling with calcium hydroxide |
1981 |
413 |
|
37 |
Parashos, Peter |
Rotary NiTi Instrument Fracture and its Consequences |
2006 |
411 |
|
38 |
Craig Baumgartner, J. |
A scanning electron microscopic evaluation of four root canal irrigation regimens |
1987 |
399 |
|
39 |
Yamada, Russell S. |
A scanning electron microscopic comparison of a high volume final flush with several irrigating solutions: Part 3 |
1983 |
393 |
|
40 |
Roane, James B. |
The "balanced force" concept for instrumentation of curved canals |
1985 |
392 |
|
41 |
Bose, Raison |
A Retrospective Evaluation of Radiographic Outcomes in Immature Teeth With Necrotic Root Canal Systems Treated With Regenerative Endodontic Procedures |
2009 |
389 |
|
42 |
Shipper, Guy |
An evaluation of microbial leakage in roots filled with a thermoplastic synthetic polymer-based root canal filling material (Resilon) |
2004 |
386 |
|
43 |
Çalt, Semra |
Time-dependent effects of EDTA on dentin structures |
2002 |
384 |
|
44 |
Gambill James M. |
Comparison of nickel-titanium and stainless steel hand-file instrumentation using computed tomography |
1996 |
381 |
|
45 |
Kerekes, Kasmer |
Long-term results of endodontic treatment performed with a standardized technique |
1979 |
379 |
|
46 |
Glosson, Charles R. |
A comparison of root canal preparations using Ni-Ti hand, Ni-Ti engine-driven, and K-Flex endodontic instruments |
1995 |
374 |
|
47 |
Lovelace, Tyler W. |
Evaluation of the delivery of mesenchymal stem cells into the root canal space of necrotic immature teeth after clinical regenerative endodontic procedure |
2011 |
367 |
|
48 |
Shen, Ya |
Current challenges and concepts of the thermomechanical treatment of nickel-titanium instruments |
2013 |
365 |
|
49 |
Weine, Franklin S. |
The effect of preparation procedures on original canal shape and on apical foramen shape |
1975 |
364 |
|
50 |
Ruparel, Nikita B. |
Direct effect of intracanal medicaments on survival of stem cells of the apical papilla |
2012 |
363 |
|
51 |
Nowicka, Alicja |
Response of human dental pulp capped with biodentine and mineral trioxide aggregate |
2013 |
362 |
|
52 |
Shuping, George B. |
Reduction of intracanal bacteria using nickel-titanium rotary instrumentation and various medications |
2000 |
360 |
|
53 |
Salehrabi, Robert |
Endodontic treatment outcomes in a large patient population in the USA: An epidemiological study |
2004 |
359 |
|
54 |
Tay, Franklin R. |
Geometric factors affecting dentin bonding in root canals: A theoretical modeling approach |
2005 |
359 |
|
55 |
Torabinejad, Mahmoud |
Investigation of mineral trioxide aggregate for root-end filling in dogs |
1995 |
351 |
|
56 |
Torabinejad, Mahmoud |
Histologic assessment of mineral trioxide aggregate as a root-end filling in monkeys |
1997 |
348 |
|
57 |
Cvek, Miomir |
A clinical report on partial pulpotomy and capping with calcium hydroxide in permanent incisors with complicated crown fracture |
1978 |
342 |
|
58 |
Tang, Weirong |
Identifying and Reducing Risks for Potential Fractures in Endodontically Treated Teeth |
2010 |
341 |
|
59 |
Siqueira Jr., José F. |
Chemomechanical reduction of the bacterial population in the root canal after instrumentation and irrigation with 1%, 2.5%, and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite |
2000 |
340 |
|
60 |
Wang, Xiaojing |
Histologic Characterization of Regenerated Tissues in Canal Space after the Revitalization/Revascularization Procedure of Immature Dog Teeth with Apical Periodontitis |
2010 |
335 |
|
61 |
Jeeruphan, Thanawan |
Mahidol study 1: Comparison of radiographic and survival outcomes of immature teeth treated with either regenerative endodontic or apexification methods: A retrospective study |
2012 |
334 |
|
62 |
Zhou, Hui-Min |
Physical properties of 5 root canal sealers |
2013 |
328 |
|
63 |
Peters, Ove A. |
Changes in root canal geometry after preparation assessed by high-resolution computed tomography |
2001 |
326 |
|
64 |
Nakashima, Misako |
The application of tissue engineering to regeneration of pulp and dentin in endodontics |
2005 |
323 |
|
65 |
Tay, Franklin R. |
Monoblocks in Root Canals: A Hypothetical or a Tangible Goal |
2007 |
321 |
|
66 |
Ricucci, Domenico |
Correlation between clinical and histologic pulp diagnoses |
2014 |
320 |
|
67 |
Sundqvist, Göran |
Ecology of the root canal flora |
1992 |
320 |
|
68 |
Koh, Eng Tiong |
Cellular response to mineral trioxide aggregate |
1998 |
312 |
|
69 |
Torabinejad, Mahmoud |
Bacterial leakage of mineral trioxide aggregate as a root-end filling material |
1995 |
311 |
|
70 |
Sedgley, Christine M. |
Are endodontically treated teeth more brittle? |
1992 |
311 |
|
71 |
Torabinejad, Mahmoud |
Dye leakage of four root end filling materials: Effects of blood contamination |
1994 |
310 |
|
72 |
Islam, Intekhab |
Comparison of the physical and mechanical properties of MTA and Portland cement |
2006 |
306 |
|
73 |
Aguilar, Panuroot |
Vital pulp therapy in vital permanent teeth with cariously exposed pulp: A systematic review |
2011 |
301 |
|
74 |
Wu, Daming |
Evaluation of the antibacterial efficacy of silver nanoparticles against Enterococcus faecalis biofilm |
2014 |
294 |
|
75 |
Reyes-Carmona |
Biomineralization Ability and Interaction of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and White Portland Cement With Dentin in a Phosphate-containing Fluid |
2009 |
293 |
|
76 |
Bürklein, Sebastian |
Apically extruded debris with reciprocating single-file and full-sequence rotary instrumentation systems |
2012 |
292 |
|
77 |
Torabinejad, Mahmoud |
Outcomes of Nonsurgical Retreatment and Endodontic Surgery: A Systematic Review |
2009 |
290 |
|
78 |
Hülsmann, Michael |
Root canal cleanliness after preparation with different endodontic handpieces and hand instruments: A comparative SEM investigation |
1997 |
290 |
|
79 |
Pak, Jaclyn G. |
Pain prevalence and severity before, during, and after root canal treatment: A systematic review |
2011 |
288 |
|
80 |
Myers, Garry L. |
A comparison of weights of debris extruded apically by conventional filing and canal master techniques |
1991 |
288 |
|
81 |
Plotino, Gianluca |
A Review of Cyclic Fatigue Testing of Nickel-Titanium Rotary Instruments |
2009 |
287 |
|
82 |
Trevino, Ernesto G. |
Effect of irrigants on the survival of human stem cells of the apical papilla in a platelet-rich plasma scaffold in human root tips |
2011 |
285 |
|
83 |
Tay, Franklin R. |
Effect of Vapor Lock on Root Canal Debridement by Using a Side-vented Needle for Positive-pressure Irrigant Delivery |
2010 |
284 |
|
84 |
Jeansonne, Michael J. |
A comparison of 2.0% chlorhexidine gluconate and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite as antimicrobial endodontic irrigants |
1994 |
283 |
|
85 |
Cleghorn, Blaine M. |
Root and Root Canal Morphology of the Human Permanent Maxillary First Molar: A Literature Review |
2006 |
283 |
|
86 |
Çalişkan, Mehmet Kemal |
Root canal morphology of human permanent teeth in a Turkish population |
1995 |
282 |
|
87 |
Petrino, Joseph A. |
Challenges in Regenerative Endodontics: A Case Series |
2010 |
282 |
|
88 |
Fridland, Marcela |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) solubility and porosity with different water-to-powder ratios |
2003 |
281 |
|
89 |
Gambarini, Gianluca |
Fatigue Resistance of Engine-driven Rotary Nickel-Titanium Instruments Produced by New Manufacturing Methods |
2008 |
280 |
|
90 |
Distel, John W. |
Biofilm formation in medicated root canals |
2002 |
280 |
|
91 |
Kogan, Paul |
The Effects of Various Additives on Setting Properties of MTA |
2006 |
279 |
|
92 |
Plotino, Gianluca |
Ultrasonics in Endodontics: A Review of the Literature |
2007 |
278 |
|
93 |
Kim, Jong-Hyun |
Tooth discoloration of immature permanent incisor associated with triple antibiotic therapy: A case report |
2010 |
278 |
|
94 |
Matherne, Ryan P. |
Use of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography to Identify Root Canal Systems In Vitro |
2008 |
275 |
|
95 |
PradeepKumar, Angambakkam Rajasekharan |
Diagnosis of Vertical Root Fractures by Cone-beam Computed Tomography in Root-filled Teeth with Confirmation by Direct Visualization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis |
2021 |
273 |
|
96 |
Ricucci, Domenico |
Histologic Investigation of Root Canal-treated Teeth with Apical Periodontitis: A Retrospective Study from Twenty-four Patients |
2009 |
272 |
|
97 |
Zhang, Hui |
Antibacterial Activity of Endodontic Sealers by Modified Direct Contact Test Against Enterococcus faecalis |
2009 |
268 |
|
98 |
Estrela, Carlos |
A New Periapical Index Based on Cone Beam Computed Tomography |
2008 |
266 |
|
99 |
Rotstein, Ilan |
Histochemical analysis of dental hard tissues following bleaching |
1996 |
265 |
|
100 |
Low, Kenneth M.T. |
Comparison of Periapical Radiography and Limited Cone-Beam Tomography in Posterior Maxillary Teeth Referred for Apical Surgery |
2008 |
263 |
To determine this metric, citation age was calculated as the difference between the evaluation year (2024) and the publication year of each article. Total citations were then aggregated for each citation age, and the age with the highest cumulative citations was identified. The citation distribution revealed that articles published 14 years ago received the most citations, making 14 years the peak citation age for the JOE.
IF over time
The JOE’s IF, which measures the average number of citations received by recent articles published in the journal, has shown fluctuations over the years, with a general upward trend from 2018 to 2021, peaking at 4.422 in 2021. However, the IF declined to 4.2 in 2022 and further to 3.5 in 2023, before increasing to 3.9 in 2025. Supplementary Figure S1 shows the available data for the JOE's IF from 1997 to 2023, as released by Clarivate (14).
Authorship metrics
Of the 8,753 scientific articles, 2,092 (23.9%) involved international co-authorship, with affiliations from two or more countries.
The analysis revealed a total of 759 single-authored articles (8.7%), while the number of multi-authored articles was 7,994 (91.3%) of all publications. Initially, single-authored articles dominated, reflecting earlier norms of independent research.
The list of authors with the highest citation counts is shown in Table 3. According to this analysis, the three most-cited authors over the years were Mahmoud Torabinejad with 14,794 citations, José F. Siqueira Jr. with 11,755 citations, and David H. Pashley with 7,930 citations.
Table 3. Top 100 contributing authors ranked by citation count and publication volume
|
Author |
Number of total citations |
Rank according to the total citations |
Number of publications |
Rank according to the number of publications |
|
Torabinejad, Mahmoud |
14,794 |
1 |
115 |
2 |
|
Siqueira, José F. |
11,755 |
2 |
162 |
1 |
|
Pashley, David H. |
7,930 |
3 |
107 |
3 |
|
Haapasalo, Markus |
7,477 |
4 |
95 |
5 |
|
Tay, Franklin |
6,768 |
5 |
87 |
8 |
|
Rôças, Isabela N. |
6,764 |
6 |
94 |
6 |
|
Shen, Ya |
6,188 |
7 |
88 |
7 |
|
Pitt Ford, Thomas |
5,494 |
8 |
23 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Baumgartner, J. Craig |
5,455 |
9 |
84 |
9 |
|
Trope, Martin |
5,431 |
10 |
50 |
29 |
|
Messer, Harold H. |
5,276 |
11 |
45 |
32 |
|
Hargreaves, Kenneth M. |
4,915 |
12 |
47 |
30 |
|
Friedman, Shimon |
4,650 |
13 |
78 |
11 |
|
Peters, Ove A. |
4,238 |
14 |
56 |
22 |
|
Reader, Al |
4,027 |
15 |
97 |
4 |
|
Diogenes, Anibal |
3,828 |
16 |
43 |
38 |
|
Plotino, Gianluca |
3,743 |
17 |
38 |
47 |
|
Weller, Roger N. |
3,715 |
18 |
59 |
19 |
|
Ricucci, Domenico |
3,704 |
19 |
41 |
40 |
|
Wesselink, Paul R. |
3,570 |
20 |
40 |
43 |
|
Kishen, Anil |
3,528 |
21 |
79 |
10 |
|
Beck, Mike |
3,526 |
22 |
77 |
12 |
|
Huang, George T.-J. |
3,463 |
23 |
26 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Zehnder, Matthias |
3,379 |
24 |
32 |
69 |
|
Loushine, Robert J. |
3,328 |
25 |
54 |
25 |
|
Grande, Nicola M. |
3,266 |
26 |
29 |
82 |
|
Parirokh, Masoud |
3,228 |
27 |
17 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Gomes, Brenda P.F.A. |
3,141 |
28 |
66 |
14 |
|
De-Deus, Gustavo |
3,009 |
29 |
56 |
23 |
|
Lee, Seung-Jong |
2,955 |
30 |
30 |
78 |
|
Cheung, Gary Shun Pan |
2,938 |
31 |
45 |
33 |
|
Nusstein, John |
2,935 |
32 |
73 |
13 |
|
Kim, Syngcuk |
2,911 |
33 |
31 |
74 |
|
Teixeira, Fabricio B. |
2,890 |
34 |
25 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Lin, Louis M. |
2,832 |
35 |
41 |
41 |
|
Duarte, Marco Antonio Hungaro |
2,803 |
36 |
61 |
16 |
|
Shabahang, Shahrokh |
2,785 |
37 |
26 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Gutmann, James L. |
2,750 |
38 |
60 |
18 |
|
Ørstavik, Dag |
2,697 |
39 |
21 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Sousa-Neto, Manoel Damião de |
2,616 |
40 |
61 |
17 |
|
Sundqvist, Göran |
2,560 |
41 |
9 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Gambarini, Gianluca |
2,520 |
42 |
33 |
62 |
|
Silva, Emmanuel J.N.L. |
2,482 |
43 |
58 |
21 |
|
Walton, Richard E. |
2,413 |
44 |
54 |
26 |
|
Shi, Songtao |
2,406 |
45 |
7 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Kim, Hyeon-Cheol |
2,393 |
46 |
62 |
15 |
|
Versiani, Marco A. |
2,369 |
47 |
52 |
28 |
|
Bramante, Clovis Monteiro |
2,368 |
48 |
40 |
44 |
|
Schäfer, Edgar |
2,337 |
49 |
40 |
45 |
|
Hong, Chan-Ui |
2,290 |
50 |
9 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Ferraz, Caio Cezar Randi |
2,272 |
51 |
34 |
59 |
|
Paqué, Frank |
2,222 |
52 |
25 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Schwartz, Scott A. |
2,195 |
53 |
18 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Kim, Euiseong |
2,192 |
54 |
55 |
24 |
|
Kettering, James D. |
2,187 |
55 |
18 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Ling, Junqi |
2,180 |
56 |
32 |
70 |
|
Hartwell, Gary R. |
2,170 |
57 |
53 |
27 |
|
Spangberg, Larz S.W. |
2,148 |
58 |
45 |
34 |
|
Tanomaru-Filho, Mário |
2,120 |
59 |
35 |
52 |
|
Sjögren, Ulf |
2,109 |
60 |
6 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Wu, Min-Kai |
2,091 |
61 |
23 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Alves, Flávio R.F. |
2,047 |
62 |
44 |
37 |
|
Parashos, Peter |
1,953 |
63 |
22 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Rotstein, Ilan |
1,931 |
64 |
35 |
53 |
|
Estrela, Carlos |
1,926 |
65 |
45 |
35 |
|
Schindler, William G. |
1,913 |
66 |
33 |
63 |
|
Ferrari, Marco |
1,884 |
67 |
29 |
83 |
|
Jung, Il-Young |
1,863 |
68 |
28 |
89 |
|
Berutti, Elio |
1,848 |
69 |
26 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
da Silva, Léa Assed Bezerra |
1,843 |
70 |
35 |
54 |
|
Fouad, Ashraf F. |
1,830 |
71 |
46 |
31 |
|
Luca, Testarelli |
1,815 |
72 |
19 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
He, Jianing |
1,813 |
73 |
34 |
60 |
|
Setzer, Frank C. |
1,783 |
74 |
35 |
55 |
|
Sedgley, Christine |
1,780 |
75 |
28 |
90 |
|
Shemesh, Hagay |
1,777 |
76 |
25 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Eleazer, Paul D. |
1,760 |
77 |
42 |
39 |
|
Zaia, Alexandre Augusto |
1,742 |
78 |
29 |
84 |
|
Zhou, Xuedong |
1,728 |
79 |
38 |
48 |
|
Tronstad, Leif |
1,709 |
80 |
17 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Kum, Kee-Yeon |
1,695 |
81 |
41 |
42 |
|
Peng, Bin |
1,693 |
82 |
33 |
64 |
|
Wang, Zhejun |
1,670 |
83 |
26 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Glickman, Gerald N. |
1,663 |
84 |
35 |
56 |
|
Peters, Donald D. |
1,658 |
85 |
28 |
91 |
|
von Arx, Thomas |
1,639 |
86 |
29 |
85 |
|
Palamara, Joseph E.A. |
1,635 |
87 |
11 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Sonoyama, Wataru |
1,627 |
88 |
3 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Brantley, William A. |
1,608 |
89 |
19 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Karabucak, Bekir |
1,602 |
90 |
33 |
65 |
|
Kulild, James C. |
1,596 |
91 |
45 |
36 |
|
Fan, Bing |
1,591 |
92 |
20 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Camilleri, Josette |
1,589 |
93 |
26 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Basrani, Bettina |
1,582 |
94 |
30 |
79 |
|
McClanahan, Scott B. |
1,576 |
95 |
36 |
50 |
|
Zhou, Huimin |
1,571 |
96 |
13 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Marshall, J. Gordon |
1,561 |
97 |
30 |
80 |
|
Bowles, Walter |
1,557 |
98 |
29 |
86 |
|
Beeson, Thomas J. |
1,556 |
99 |
11 |
Not in the first 100 |
|
Wang, Song-Lin |
1,547 |
100 |
3 |
Not in the first 100 |
The list of the most productive authors is also shown in Table 3. Over the past 50 years, a total of 16,185 authors have contributed to publications in the JOE. Notably, only three authors have published more than 100 articles, and 29 authors have published at least 50 publications. A total of 548 authors have contributed to 10 or more publications, while 11,147 authors have only one publication. According to this analysis, the three most productive authors were the same as above but in a different order: Siqueira Jr. with 162 articles, Torabinejad with 115 articles, and Pashley with 107 articles.
Since Table 3 is arranged based on citation counts, some authors with numerous publications but relatively fewer citations may not appear in the table. Therefore, their contributions are also highlighted below by listing their names and the number of articles: Melissa Drum (59 articles), Frederico C. Martinho (40 articles), Anita Aminoshariae (37 articles), Dingming Huang (36 articles), Hakan Arslan and Takashi Okiji (each with 35 articles), Ali Nosrat (34 articles), Kamran Safavi, Chengfei Zhang, and Patricia A. Tordik (each with 33 articles), Ronald Ordinola-Zapata, Amir Azarpazhooh, and Hideaki Suda (each with 32 articles), Kyung-San Min, WooCheol Lee, and Andre K. Mickel (each with 31 articles), Timothy Svec (30 articles), Samuel Seltzer and James D. Johnson (each with 29 articles), Frederick R. Liewehr, Carlos Eduardo da Silveira Bueno, Seung-Ho Baek, Fernando Durán-Sindreu, Hiroshi Nakamura, Jung-Hong Ha, and Sara Fowler (each with 28 articles), and James H. Simon and Timothy Kirkpatrick (each with 27 articles).
Discussion
As the JOE marks its 50th anniversary, this bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive assessment of its publication trends, scholarly influence, and evolving research priorities over time. By examining patterns in article output, citation dynamics, and authorship characteristics, this study offers insights into the journal’s development over time and its role in shaping contemporary endodontic discourse. The findings not only highlight the JOE’s historical contributions to the specialty but also identify strategic areas that may inform future editorial priorities and scientific research.
Journal growth and editorial trajectory
The JOE has experienced consistent and substantial growth over its five-decade history. A nearly threefold increase in the number of published articles, combined with the regular release of 12 issues annually, supplemented occasionally with special issues, reflects the journal’s expanding role in disseminating endodontic research and its ability to respond to evolving scientific needs. These findings align with previous analyses, such as that by Ordinola-Zapata et al. (23), and support the continued role of the JOE as a platform for clinical and academic discourse in endodontics. This increase in output has also been accompanied by notable growth in scholarly influence, as evidenced by various citation metrics.
Citation trajectory and academic influence
A marked rise in citation counts, especially from the early 2000s onward, signals a growing level of scholarly engagement with JOE publications. The journal’s h-index of 204 and g-index of 293 reflect both the quantity and citation impact of its most cited works. These metrics may reflect the impact of editorial strategies that prioritize highly cited formats such as systematic reviews, clinical guidelines, and comprehensive narrative syntheses.
Characteristics of highly cited publications
An analysis of the 100 most-cited articles provides deeper insight into the types of studies that achieve enduring influence. These articles span the journal’s full timeline, from its early years (25, 26) to as recently as 2021 (27), indicating that both foundational and contemporary research have received substantial attention. Foundational topics such as root canal microbiology and instrumentation remain impactful, while emerging areas, such as regenerative endodontics (13 articles), cone-beam computed tomography (eight articles), and even a 2020 publication on COVID-19-related materials (28), demonstrate that timeliness and novelty enhance visibility.
Review articles constitute a substantial proportion of highly cited publications, with 17 narrative reviews and four systematic reviews represented. This highlights their role in synthesizing knowledge and guiding further inquiry. Innovation is also a prominent theme; four of the most-cited articles focus on new materials, techniques, or devices (29-32). Notably, high-impact articles include not only broad-scope reviews and trials but also localized studies (33, 34), a case report (35), and a case series (36), underscoring that rigorous methodology can yield significant academic influence regardless of study type or scope.
Temporal distribution of high-impact work
While older publications have had more time to accrue citations, a decade-based analysis reveals informative patterns. The majority of highly cited articles (51%) were published between 2005 and 2014, a period marked by rapid technological advances, greater global collaboration, and expanded indexing. The journal’s earlier years (1975–1984) account for only 6% of top-cited publications, consistent with its foundational phase. Indeed, the relative scarcity of top-cited articles published between 2015 and 2024 (2%) represents an expected citation lag, the time required for modern literature to be discovered, applied, and cited, rather than an indicator of lower scientific caliber.
Clinically significant contributions
Among the most-cited articles, three stand out for their enduring clinical relevance: Zehnder’s 2006 review on root canal irrigants (37) has received 1,337 citations and remains central to disinfection protocols; Sjögren et al.’s 1990 study (38), cited 1,192 times, provides a seminal framework for long-term outcomes; and Torabinejad et al.’s 1995 article (31), with 1,020 citations, introduced MTA, a material that has transformed endodontic therapy. These articles illustrate how clinical utility, conceptual innovation, and methodological clarity drive citation longevity.
Authorship trends and contributor influence
Authorship patterns further reflect the increasing complexity of endodontic research. The overwhelming majority of JOE articles (91.3%) are multi-authored, and nearly one-quarter (23.9%) involve international collaboration. Influential contributors such as Torabinejad, Siqueira Jr., and Pashley demonstrate how sustained research in specialized domains such as biomaterials, microbiology, and dentin biology can yield high-impact work. Their prominence is also evident in professional recognition and academic leadership.
Some authors have received substantial numbers of citations despite relatively modest publication counts. For instance, Thomas Pitt Ford ranks 134th by publication volume but 8th in citations, while Wataru Sonoyama ranks 1,905th in output yet 88th in citations. These examples validate the use of the h-index (18), which accounts for both production output and citation impact to provide a more balanced assessment of scholarly influence.
Thematic shifts and emerging priorities
The themes represented among the most-cited articles reflect several evolving research priorities within the field. MTA-related research dominates (18 articles), reaffirming its pivotal clinical role. Meanwhile, increased attention to regenerative endodontics and CBCT reflects a shift toward biologically based therapies and precision diagnostics. In contrast, the reduced presence of instrumentation studies and case reports among top-cited works suggests a broader pivot toward outcomes-driven and evidence-based research models.
Comparative positioning among endodontic journals
To contextualize the JOE’s performance, a comparative analysis of peer-reviewed endodontic journals reveals key insights (Table 4). Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Dental Traumatology were included due to their former titles, which historically incorporated the terms endodontics/endodontology.
The International Endodontic Journal, launched in 1967, leads the field with a 2023 IF of 4.2 and shares structural similarities with the JOE, including monthly publication and a hybrid access model. Regionally focused, fully open-access journals such as the Iranian Endodontic Journal, Saudi Endodontic Journal, and European Endodontic Journal enhance research visibility in developing academic markets.
Methodological framework and future directions
To maintain a balanced distribution of content across part one, part two, and part three of this series, detailed methodological procedures—such as the rationale for selecting Scopus as the primary database, the use of CSV file formatting, the implementation of VOSviewer™ for visualization, and document exclusion criteria—have been described in part two. These methodological choices were made to ensure the reliability, reproducibility, and analytical depth of the study.
This bibliometric analysis underscores the value of such approaches in uncovering long-term patterns in publication volume, citation dynamics, and authorship evolution. Future research may expand on these findings through comparative analyses with other dental and medical journals to assess interdisciplinary dynamics. Additionally, the integration of altmetrics and machine learning may improve real-time monitoring of research topics and assessment of broader societal impact. Longitudinal studies examining editorial policies and their influence on research quality could also offer strategic insights for journal improvement and governance.
These findings lay the foundation for the scientometric analysis in part two, which examines co-authorship networks, keyword clusters, and emerging research trends through advanced content-mapping techniques. Together, the bibliometric and scientometric analyses provide a comprehensive view of the journal’s structural and intellectual evolution, and highlight its contributions to the development of the field over the past five decades.
Table 4. Overview of peer-reviewed endodontic journals, ordered by establishment year
|
Journal Title |
Publisher/Founder |
Frequency of Publication |
Language |
Open Access Model |
2025 IF* |
Establishment Year |
|
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology |
Elsevier |
Monthly |
English |
Hybrid |
2.4 |
1948** |
|
International Endodontic Journal |
Wiley |
Monthly |
English |
Hybrid |
6.4 |
1967** |
|
Australian Endodontic Journal |
Wiley |
Quarterly |
English |
Hybrid |
1.7 |
1974 |
|
Journal of Endodontics |
Elsevier |
Monthly |
English, with bilingual title & abstract in 1985 |
Hybrid |
3.9 |
1975 |
|
Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics |
Korean Academy of Conservative Dentistry |
Quarterly |
English, with some historical use of Korean |
Fully Open Access |
1.5 |
1975** |
|
Endodoncia
|
Spanish Association of Endodontics |
Quarterly |
Spanish and English |
Not Open Access |
- |
1983 |
|
Dental Traumatology |
Wiley |
Quarterly |
English |
Hybrid |
4.8 |
1985** |
|
Giornale Italiano di Endodonzia |
Italian Society of Endodontics |
Quarterly |
English, with some historical use of Italian |
Fully Open Access |
0.7 |
1987 |
|
Endodontie |
Quintessence Publishing |
Quarterly |
German |
Not Open Access |
- |
1993 |
|
Thai Endodontic Journal (ENDOSARN) |
Thai Endodontic Association |
Biannually |
Thai and English |
Fully Open Access |
- |
1995** |
|
Journal of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics |
Wolters Kluwer – Medknow |
Monthly |
English |
Fully Open Access |
- |
1998** |
|
Endodontic Topics |
Wiley |
Biannually |
English |
Hybrid |
- |
2002 (Ceased in 2016) |
|
Iranian Endodontic Journal |
Iranian Center for Endodontic Research |
Quarterly |
English |
Fully Open Access |
- |
2006 |
|
Endodontic Society of the Philippines Journal |
Endodontic Society of the Philippines |
Annually |
English |
Fully Open Access |
- |
2007 |
|
Endodontija Today |
LLC "Endo Press" |
Quarterly |
Russian and English |
Fully Open Access |
- |
2010 |
|
Saudi Endodontic Journal |
Saudi Endodontic Society |
Quarterly |
English |
Fully Open Access |
- |
2011 |
|
European Endodontic Journal |
European Endodontic Society |
Quarterly |
English |
Fully Open Access |
2.0 |
2016 |
|
Turkish Endodontic Journal |
Turkish Endodontic Society |
Quarterly |
English |
Fully Open Access |
- |
2016 |
|
IP Indian Journal of Conservative and Endodontics |
Khyati Education and Research Foundation |
Quarterly |
English |
Fully Open Access |
- |
2016 |
|
Journal of Operative Dentistry & Endodontics |
JAYPEE |
Biannually |
English |
Fully Open Access |
- |
2016 |
* According to the 2026 Web of Science Journal Citation Reports.
** Journals that have undergone name changes over time.
Conclusions
Over the past five decades, the JOE has published 8,753 scientific articles and received 390,265 citations, reflecting its extensive publication output and scholarly impact. This bibliometric analysis identified steady growth in publication volume, with a peak during the 2010–2015 period and sustained citation activity into the 2020s. The journal’s h-index (204) and g-index (293) provide quantitative measures of its citation performance. Highly cited topics—such as root canal disinfection, regenerative endodontics, and biomaterials—reflect changes in clinical and research priorities over time. Contributions from the United States, Brazil, and China were most frequent, indicating a broad international authorship base. These findings provide a historical and quantitative framework for understanding the journal’s publication and citation trends and serve as a foundation for the scientometric and editorial analyses presented in parts two and three.
Acknowledgements
This article is the first part of a three-article series derived from the thesis of Hamid Jafarzadeh Bakooei, submitted to the School of Dentistry at West Virginia University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Endodontics specialty program and the degree of Master of Science in Endodontics.
The authors sincerely appreciate the faculty, staff, and colleagues of the West Virginia University School of Dentistry and the Advanced Education Program in Endodontics who contributed to and supported the completion of this thesis and the research presented in this article.
The thesis will be archived under embargo in the West Virginia University institutional repository and the ProQuest database, in accordance with the prior publication policies of the Journal of Endodontics.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Author contributions
H.J.B. conceptualized and designed the study. H.J.B., M.A.B., and R.C.W. contributed to the methodology. H.J.B. contributed to software and data curation. H.J.B. and R.C.W. performed the formal analysis and investigation. H.J.B. contributed to the original draft preparation. S.O.D., M.A.B., S.B.W., and R.C.W. contributed to the review and editing of the manuscript. S.O.D. supervised the study. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.
This study was conducted in strict adherence to publication ethics guidelines and was formally approved as Non-Human Subject Research (NHSR) by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) / Ethics Committee of West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA (Certificate #0887).
Funding
This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Supplementary Table S1. Past presidents of the AAE
|
President Name |
Year |
President Name |
Year |
|
W. Clyde Davis |
1943-1944 |
Herbert Schilder |
1985-1986 |
|
Ralph F. Sommer |
1944-1945 |
Michael A. Heuer |
1986-1987 |
|
Robert G. Kesel |
1945-1946 |
Charles J. Cunningham |
1987-1988 |
|
E.G. Van Valey |
1946-1947 |
Joseph D. Maggio |
1988-1989 |
|
Maynard K. Hine |
1947-1948 |
Gerald C. Dietz Sr. |
1989-1990 |
|
Louis I. Grossman |
1948-1949 |
James C. McGraw |
1990-1991 |
|
Elmer A. Jasper |
1949-1950 |
Joseph I. Tenca |
1991-1992 |
|
Raymond L. Girardot |
1950-1951 |
Stuart B. Fountain |
1992-1993 |
|
George C. Sharp |
1951-1952 |
Eric J. Hovland |
1993-1994 |
|
F. Darl Ostrander |
1952-1953 |
Richard C. Burns |
1994-1995 |
|
Laurence A. Lucas |
1953-1954 |
Philip W. Cohen |
1995-1996 |
|
N. Weir Burkman |
1954-1955 |
Jerome V. Pisano |
1996-1997 |
|
Harry J. Healey |
1955-1956 |
Denis E. Simon III |
1997-1998 |
|
John R. Pear |
1956-1957 |
Carl W. Newton |
1998-1999 |
|
George C. Hare |
1957-1958 |
Harmon R. Katz |
1999-2000 |
|
George G. Stewart |
1958-1959 |
James L. Gutmann |
2000-2001 |
|
J. Henry Kaiser |
1959-1960 |
Jeffrey W. Hutter |
2001-2002 |
|
Paul P. Sherwood |
1960-1961 |
Samuel O. Dorn |
2002-2003 |
|
Glenn R. Brooks |
1961-1962 |
Mahmoud Torabinejad |
2003-2004 |
|
Vincent B. Milas |
1962-1963 |
Sandra Madison |
2004-2005 |
|
James H. Sherard Jr. |
1963-1964 |
Marc Balson |
2005-2006 |
|
Jacob B. Freedland |
1964-1965 |
John S. Olmsted |
2006-2007 |
|
Henry S. Schmidt |
1965-1966 |
Shepard S. Goldstein |
2007-2008 |
|
John I. Ingle |
1966-1967 |
Louis E. Rossman |
2008-2009 |
|
Edwin C. Van Valey |
1967-1968 |
Gerald N. Glickman |
2009-2010 |
|
Samuel S. Patterson |
1968-1969 |
Clara M. Spatafore |
2010-2011 |
|
Warren J. Hedman |
1969-1970 |
William T. Johnson |
2011-2012 |
|
John F. Bucher |
1970-1971 |
James C. Kulild |
2012-2013 |
|
Dudley H. Glick |
1971-1972 |
Gary R. Hartwell |
2013-2014 |
|
I.B. Bender |
1972-1973 |
Robert S. Roda |
2014-2015 |
|
Charles A. Scott Jr. |
1973-1974 |
Terryl A. Propper |
2015-2016 |
|
Alfred L. Frank |
1974-1975 |
Linda G. Levin |
2016-2017 |
|
Robert A. Uchin |
1975-1976 |
Garry L. Myers |
2017-2018 |
|
Frank B. Trice |
1976-1977 |
Patrick E. Taylor |
2018-2019 |
|
George A. Zurkow |
1977-1978 |
Keith V. Krell |
2019-2020 |
|
Harry Blechman |
1978-1979 |
Alan H. Gluskin |
2020-2021 |
|
Paul E. Zeigler |
1979-1980 |
Alan S. Law |
2021-2022 |
|
Edward M. Osetek |
1980-1981 |
Stefan I. Zweig |
2022-2023 |
|
Henry J. van Hassel |
1981-1982 |
Craig S. Hirschberg |
2023-2024 |
|
Noah Chivian |
1982-1983 |
Natasha M. Flake |
2024-2025 |
|
Stephen F. Schwartz |
1984-1985 |
Steven J. Katz |
2025-2026 |
Supplementary Table S2. List of the JOE supplementary issues published over the past 50 years
|
Title of the Supplementary Issue |
Publication Year |
|
An annotated glossary of terms used in endodontics |
1981 |
|
In memory of Dr. Louis I. Grossman |
1982 |
|
Proceedings of the Joint Symposium Sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the AAE, Chicago, Illinois |
2008 |
|
Endodontic Study Guide |
|
|
Proceedings of a Joint Symposium of the AAE and the AAPD, Scottsdale, Arizona |
2013 |
|
Presentations from the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Pulp Biology and Regeneration Group Satellite Meeting, San Francisco, California |
2014 |
|
Proceedings of the Pulp Biology and Regeneration Group Satellite Meeting: Dental Regenerative Medicine and Functional Dental Longevity |
2017 |
|
Papers from the 2018 Meeting of the World Congress on Dental Traumatology, San Diego, California |
2019 |
|
Pulp Biology and Regeneration Group Satellite Meeting: Bridging Basic and Translational Research in Pulp Biology: Developing Technologies for Regenerating Vital Dental Tissues, Portland, Oregon |
2020 |
Supplementary Table S3. Country-level contributions to the 100 most-cited articles in the JOE
|
Country |
Count |
|
United States |
62 |
|
Brazil |
11 |
|
United Kingdom and China |
Each 9 |
|
Canada, Iran, and South Korea |
Each 7 |
|
Sweden |
6 |
|
Switzerland |
5 |
|
Australia and Japan |
Each 4 |
|
Italy and Norway |
Each 3 |
|
Turkey, Thailand, Singapore, and Germany |
Each 2 |
|
Netherlands, India, Argentina, Denmark, Belgium, Israel, Poland, and Hong Kong |
Each 1 |
Supplementary Figure S1. Displaying the changes in the JOE’s IF from 1997 to 2023.
