To identify and evaluate research articles regarding clear aligner therapy (CAT) published between 2020 and 2024 inclusive.

A systematic strategy was employed to search the Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate Analytics, Philadelphia, Pa) and the Incites Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate Analytics) databases for records regarding CAT-related articles published between 2020 and 2024 inclusive. Authorial and journal metrics and information regarding study type were documented.

A total of 975 articles satisfied inclusion criteria and were evaluated. The number of CAT-related publications more than quadrupled from 2020 (n=84) to 2024 (n=341). Articles were published in a total of 166 journals or other publication sources. The American Journal of Orthodontics (n=100; 10.3%) and the Angle Orthodontist (n=56; 5.7%) are the journals in which CAT-related research were mostly published. Both journals recorded the joint highest number of places (n=6; 20%) in the list of top 50 cited articles published within the timeframe. The mean (SD) number of authors per article was 5.3 (2.3) [Maximum 25; Minimum 1], with first authors being affiliated to a total of 52 countries. China is the country of affiliation most frequently reported by first authors (n=198; 20.3%) followed by Italy (n=161; 16.5%). Retrospective observational (n=196; 20.1%) and in vitro studies (n=190; 19.5%) were the two most common study types with 2.6% (n=25) being randomised clinical trials.

The findings will provide insight for scholars and clinicians regarding current research trends and identify research methodologies which may help determine the nature of future studies.