A review paper on diagnosis of approximal and occlusal dental caries using digital processing of medical images

Abstract

Diagnosis of Approximal and Occlusal caries is a difficult process in the clinical setting, because of the edge line in the Approximal surfaces is not so clear and also the complicated setting of pits and fissures in the Occlusal surface. Detection of these two types of dental caries can be carried out using two processes (1.) Carious legion has to be identified (2.) We have to assess the depth and the percentage of its activity in the mouth. Basically, caries at first is detected through visual inspection but it is not sufficient and also it is not periodic since lots of subjective parameters are involved and also the experience of the doctor plays a key role in this process. For the same problem there can be difference in the opinion between the doctors which directly affect the treatment process. Therefore this work aims on using certain parameters included in one algorithm which will refine the image taken and process it. Comparing that image with previous image will give the reasons that why there are the differences in opinions among the doctors for the same image and hence a better treatment process could be used after solving this problem. The images used in this work are of DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standard. It is a standard set by NEMA and is used for handling, storing, printing and transmitting all types of medical images related to different types of diseases. These Images has been captured using the digital radiography technology which is widely used in clinical settings to diagnose the dental caries.