An etiology-stratified bibliometric analysis and narrative review of virtual surgical planning, patient-specific implants, and 3D printing in mandibular reconstruction after ameloblastoma resection (2010–2026)

Abstract

Evidence on virtual surgical planning (VSP), patient-specific implants (PSI), and three-dimensional (3D) printing in mandibular reconstruction comes largely from oncologic or mixed-etiology cohorts, although patients with ameloblastoma are younger, are not irradiated, and need long-term surveillance and dental rehabilitation. This review combined a bibliometric analysis of Scopus records (2010-2026) with an etiology-stratified narrative review. Records were coded into eight etiology categories by a language model checked against manual coding (κ = 0.78), and 78 clinical studies were classified as ameloblastoma-specific (n = 16), mixed etiology with extractable ameloblastoma data (n = 35), or mixed etiology without separate data (n = 27). Annual output rose from 49 documents in 2010 to 272 in 2025. Of 2404 digital-technology records, 5.4% were ameloblastoma-specific and 10.2% oncologic only. Ameloblastoma-specific records had a lower mean normalized citation score than oncologic records (0.52 vs 1.05; P < .001) and less often cited the core VSP accuracy literature (29.7% vs 68.5%; P < .001). Of the 78 clinical studies, 67 were at Oxford level 4 or 5; none of the 11 level 2-3 studies, all mixed-etiology cohorts, analyzed ameloblastoma separately, and only one study averaged >5 years of follow-up. Mixed cohorts suggest better condylar positioning and possibly shorter operative time, benefits that depend mainly on defect and technique, but recurrence, rehabilitation, quality of life, and cost were rarely measured. The evidence supports selective rather than routine use of digital workflows in ameloblastoma. Diagnosis-specific reporting, follow-up beyond 5 years, and a core outcome set are needed.

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