Quantitative growth analysis of pulp necrotic tooth (post‐op) using modified region growing active contour model

Abstract

In the field of dentistry, prospective clinical study reports affirm the need for approximate growth analysis of endodontic tooth post treatment. There is no difference in the frequency, appearance or extent of root resorption in the teeth. It is necessary to elucidate the role of endodontic treatment in the root resorption. Differences between the two samples (radiographs), which are taken with specified period of intervals, in terms of the frequency of growth changes in treated teeth is needed to observe accurately. This study mainly aims at this requirement by utilising slightly modified region-based growing active contour model for quantitative growth analysis of tooth. Recall radiographs of endodontic regeneration involving immature permanent teeth with pulp necrosis have been considered as input in this research. Image enhancing techniques such as dilation and erosion of mathematical morphology are then performed sequentially to emphasise the outlying pixels. Finally, the criterions which include the root length, apical diameter and the dentinal wall thickness are calibrated and given in experimental results. The visual sample results and along with its measurements proved the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.