Dental microfracture detection using wavelet features and machine learning

Jared Vicory, Ramraj Chandradevan, Pablo Hernandez-Cerdan, Wei Angel Huang, Dani Fox, Laith Abu Qdais, Matthew McCormick, Andre Mol, Rick Walter, J. S. Marron, Hassem Geha, Asma Khan, Beatriz Paniagua

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Microfractures (cracks) are the third most common cause of tooth loss in industrialized countries. If they are not detected early, they continue to progress until the tooth is lost. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been used to detect microfractures, but has had very limited success. We propose an algorithm to detect cracked teeth that pairs high resolution (hr) CBCT scans with advanced image analysis and machine learning. First, microfractures were simulated in extracted human teeth (n=22). hr-CBCT and microCT scans of the fractured and control teeth (n=14) were obtained. Wavelet pyramid construction was used to generate a phase image of the Fourier transformed scan which were fed to a U-Net deep learning architecture that localizes the orientation and extent of the crack which yields slice-wise probability maps that indicate the presence of microfractures. We then examine the ratio of high-probability voxels to total tooth volume to determine the likelihood of cracks per tooth. In microCT and hr-CBCT scans, fractured teeth have higher numbers of such voxels compared to control teeth. The proposed analytical framework provides a novel way to quantify the structural breakdown of teeth, that was not possible before. Future work will expand our machine learning framework to 3D volumes, improve our feature extraction in hr-CBCT and clinically validate this model. Early detection of microfractures will lead to more appropriate treatment and longer tooth retention.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMedical Imaging 2021
Subtitle of host publicationImage Processing
EditorsIvana Isgum, Bennett A. Landman
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510640214
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
EventMedical Imaging 2021: Image Processing - Virtual, Online, United States
Duration: Feb 15 2021Feb 19 2021

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume11596
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Conference

ConferenceMedical Imaging 2021: Image Processing
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityVirtual, Online
Period2/15/212/19/21

Keywords

  • Cracked teeth
  • Deep learning
  • Isotropic wavelets

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Biomaterials
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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