The Influence of a Deep Learning Tool on the Performance of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologists in the Detection of Apical Radiolucencies.

Title: The Influence of a Deep Learning Tool on the Performance of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologists in the Detection of Apical Radiolucencies.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of a deep learning model on oral radiologists' ability to detect periapical radiolucencies on periapical radiographs. The secondary objective was to conduct a regression analysis to evaluate the effects of years of experience, time to diagnose, and specialty.

Evaluation of deep learning for detecting intraosseous jaw lesions in cone beam computed tomography volumes.

Objective: The study aim was to develop and assess the performance of a deep learning (DL) algorithm in the detection of radiolucent intraosseous jaw lesions in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) volumes.

Study Design: A total of 290 CBCT volumes from more than 12 different scanners were acquired. Fields of view ranged from 6 × 6 × 6 cm to 18 × 18 × 16 cm.

Radiation doses in extraoral bitewing radiography compared with intraoral bitewing and panoramic radiography.

Objectives: We compared the effective dose (E) and thyroid equivalent dose of 2 extraoral bitewing (EOBW) units and compared E with their respective panoramic (PAN) modes and with intraoral bitewing radiography (IOBW).

Study Design: Child and adult anthropomorphic phantoms with dosimeters were used to evaluate Orthophos SL, Rayscan α+, and 1 intraoral unit using rectangular and circular collimation. Extraoral bitewing thyroid equivalent dose was assessed without and with thyroid shielding.

The effect of a deep-learning tool on dentists' performances in detecting apical radiolucencies on periapical radiographs.

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of a deep-learning (DL) tool in assisting dentists in detecting apical radiolucencies on periapical radiographs.

Methods: Sixty-eight intraoral periapical radiographs with CBCT-proven presence or absence of apical radiolucencies were selected to serve as the testing subset. Eight readers examined the subset, denoted the positions of apical radiolucencies, and used a 5-point confidence scale to score each radiolucency.

Extraoral bite-wing radiographs: A universally accepted paradox.

Background: The development of specialized panoramic radiograph machine software has spawned the introduction of an innovative and promising dental radiographic examination type: extraoral bite-wings. But does this unconventional type of imaging belong in the bite-wing family? Is there any relationship at all to the conventional bite-wing radiograph?

Objectives: The purpose of this article is not to make a case for the diagnostic effectiveness of one system over the other; this is best left to further clinical evaluation. Instead, the authors intend to provide an outline of a few key and distinguishing elements of the intraoral bite-wing radiographic examination followed by those of the extraoral panoramic substitute and draw attention to the importance of reimagining the increasingly universal naming convention of this novel radiographic examination, the paradoxical "extraoral bite-wing radiograph", based on the fundamental principles of each of these imaging systems.

Dental microfracture detection using wavelet features and machine learning.

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.

Bitewing radiography dosimetry of a stationary intraoral tomosynthesis imaging system.

Objectives: This study assessed effective doses (E) from conventional and stationary intraoral tomosynthesis (s-IOT) radiography for posterior bitewing (PBW) examinations and evaluated the effect of sensor attenuation.

Study Design: An adult human tissue-equivalent phantom and optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters were used. Series of 4 PBW radiographs were acquired with circular and rectangular collimation.

The role of stationary intraoral tomosynthesis in reducing proximal overlap in bitewing radiography.

Objectives: This study examined the utility of stationary intraoral tomosynthesis (s-IOT) in opening proximal contacts in bitewing radiography.

Methods: 11 DENTSPLY Rinn Dental X-ray Teaching and Training Replica mannequins (Model #546002, Elgin, Ill) were imaged with a prototype s-IOT device (Surround Medical Systems, Morrisville, NC) and standard bitewing (SBW) technique. Premolar and molar bitewings were acquired with each system.

Comparing the diagnostic efficacy of intraoral radiography and cone beam computed tomography volume registration in the detection of mandibular alveolar bone defects.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to (1) compare bone loss detection accuracy with intraoral radiography and registered cone beam computed tomography (CBCT); (2) assess repeatability with both modalities; (3) determine factors affecting defect detection; and (4) determine the effect of buccolingual bone thickness on defect detection.

Study Design: Six observers viewed intraoral radiographs and CBCT scans before and after the defect to determine defect presence and extent. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC), sensitivity, specificity, logistic regression, odds ratio, intraclass correlation coefficient, and weighted kappa were used.

Characterization and preliminary imaging evaluation of a clinical prototype stationary intraoral tomosynthesis system.

Purpose: Technological advancements in dental radiography have improved oral care on many fronts, yet diagnostic efficacy for some of the most common oral conditions, such as caries, dental cracks and fractures, and periodontal disease, remains relatively low. Driven by the clinical need for a better diagnostic yield for these and other dental conditions, we initiated the development of a stationary intraoral tomosynthesis (s-IOT) imaging system using carbon nanotube (CNT) x-ray source array technology. Here, we report the system characterization and preliminary imaging evaluation of a clinical prototype s-IOT system approved for human use.

Digital Radiographic Image Processing and Analysis.

This article describes digital radiographic imaging and analysis from the basics of image capture to examples of some of the most advanced digital technologies currently available. The principles underlying the imaging technologies are described to provide a better understanding of their strengths and limitations.

Automatic quantification framework to detect cracks in teeth.

Studies show that cracked teeth are the third most common cause for tooth loss in industrialized countries. If detected early and accurately, patients can retain their teeth for a longer time. Most cracks are not detected early because of the discontinuous symptoms and lack of good diagnostic tools.

The effect of image enhancements and dual observers on proximal caries detection.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine if the use of certain image enhancements and dual observers had an effect on the detection of caries, dentin extension, and cavitation.

Study Design: Seven observers viewed unenhanced and enhanced images taken on photostimulable phosphor plates (PSP) and Schick 33 sensors and were asked to determine whether proximal caries lesions, dentin extension, and cavitation were present. Pairs of observers also evaluated the unenhanced PSP images and recorded their confidence.

Cone-beam Computed Tomography Uses in Clinical Endodontics: Observer Variability in Detecting Periapical Lesions.

Introduction: The accurate interpretation of a cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) volume is critical in identifying the presence of disease correctly and consistently. The aim of this clinical study was to determine the effect of experience level on the detection of periapical lesions in CBCT volumes.

Methods: CBCT volumes of 22 maxillary molars were interpreted by 3 endodontic faculty, 3 endodontic residents, and 3 dental students.

Guide to Digital Radiographic Imaging.

This is a resource for clinicians who are considering purchasing a digital imaging system or those already using one who want to optimize its use. It covers selected topics in digital imaging fundamentals, detector technology, image processing and quality assurance. Through a critical appraisal of the strengths and limitations of digital imaging components, the goal of this guide is to contribute to the appropriate use of these systems to maximize the health benefit for patients.

Ex vivo evaluation of new 2D and 3D dental radiographic technology for detecting caries.

Objectives: Proximal dental caries remains a prevalent disease with only modest detection rates by current diagnostic systems. Many new systems are available without controlled validation of diagnostic efficacy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of three potentially promising new imaging systems.

Three-dimensional quantification of mandibular asymmetry through cone-beam computerized tomography.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if 3-dimensional (3D) shape analysis precisely diagnoses right and left differences in asymmetry patients.

Study Design: Cone-beam computerized tomography (CT) data were acquired before treatment from 20 patients with mandibular asymmetry. 3D shape analysis was used to localize and quantify the extent of virtually simulated asymmetry.

Health-care reform's great expectations and physician reality.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will not prove to be the reform for which physicians were long hoping. Private insurance rates will climb sharply, forcing people onto government programs; physician reimbursement will plummet; the physician shortage will worsen; rationing in the form of waiting lists is certain; health care as a whole will worsen; and once fully engaged, nationalization of health care will be irreversible.

Precision of cephalometric landmark identification: cone-beam computed tomography vs conventional cephalometric views.

Introduction: In this study, we compared the precision of landmark identification using displays of multi-planar cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) volumes and conventional lateral cephalograms (Ceph).

Methods: Twenty presurgical orthodontic patients were radiographed with conventional Ceph and CBCT techniques. Five observers plotted 24 landmarks using computer displays of multi-planer reconstruction (MPR) CBCT and Ceph views during separate sessions.