Development and Validation of a Visually Explainable Deep Learning Model for Classification of C-shaped Canals of the Mandibular Second Molars in Periapical and Panoramic Dental Radiographs.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a visually explainable deep learning model for the classification of C-shaped canals of the mandibular second molars in dental radiographs.

Methods: The periapical and panoramic images of 1000 mandibular second molars were collected from 372 patients. The diagnostic performance of the deep learning system using periapical and panoramic radiographs was investigated in respect to its ability to determine whether the second mandibular molar showed a C-shaped canal configuration.