Abstract
This study aims to introduce a new algorithm developed using retrospective cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data to obtain a standard dental and mandibular arch shape automatically for an optimal panoramic focal trough. A custom-made program was developed to analyze each arch shape of randomly collected 30 CBCT images. First, volumetric data of the mandible were binarized and projected in the axial direction to obtain 2-dimensional arch images. Second, 30 patients’ mandibular arches were superimposed on the center of the bilateral distal contact points of the mandibular canines to generate an average arch shape. Third, the center and boundary of a panoramic focal trough were obtained using smoothing splines. As a result, the minimum thickness and transition of the focal trough could be obtained. If this new algorithm is applied to big data of retrospective CBCT images, standard focal troughs could be established by race, sex, and age group, which would improve the image quality of dental panoramic radiography.
Highlights
Panoramic radiography is a widely used imaging modality in the routine dental examination
As many dentists still rely on panoramic radiography for implant planning, the possibility of misjudging the horizontal and vertical length of the bone or nerve structures might increase the risks associated with implant surgery[13]
The purpose of this study is to introduce a new and convenient algorithm for obtaining an average dental and mandibular arch shape using retrospective cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data, which can be used in a big data study to establish standard focal troughs for panoramic radiography
Summary
Panoramic radiography is a widely used imaging modality in the routine dental examination. Since the head and neck area contains complex and important structures and panoramic radiography is used as the first diagnostic tool to screen diseases, it is important to obtain adequate image quality[1,2]. It is necessary to obtain the average arch shapes of each race, sex, and age group and to integrate that information with the standard focal trough acquired using commercial panoramic radiography equipment in order to obtain reliable image quality. A previous study compared the average arch shapes of 3 ethnic groups using 2-dimenstional (2D) submentovertex radiography[15] Their method took time and effort because it required manual drawing of the center of the mandible and determination of about 50 points. The purpose of this study is to introduce a new and convenient algorithm for obtaining an average dental and mandibular arch shape using retrospective CBCT data, which can be used in a big data study to establish standard focal troughs for panoramic radiography
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