Orthodontic Treatment Simulation Using Image Processing Techniques
Orthodontic Treatment Simulation Using Image Processing Techniques
Orthodontic Treatment Simulation Using Image Processing Techniques
ABSTRACT: Orthodontics deals with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites). The processes
involved in orthodontic treatment can be automated to reduce a lot of human effort. However this benefit comes at a
significant cost. In such a scenario, a goal is to see if we could try and provide the core function of the orthodontic
treatment, i.e. Cephalometric Analysis, in a more economical alternative.
This paper proposes an interactive tool that works on dental X-ray images and allows the user to plot certain
structural landmarks of the head known as reference points onto the X-ray. These points can then be used to plot planes
which facilitate certain linear and angular measurements. These measurements can be observed and analyzed to give a
diagnosis of any deformity in the patient’s occlusion. Using image processing techniques, a user can conveniently
perform Cephalometric Analysis in an orderly, sequential manner.
I. INTRODUCTION
Most orthodontists work on a trial and error basis, estimating an “ideal” loading condition that can lead to a precise
and aimed tooth movement. Hence the actual outcome in practice is not guaranteed. Therefore, the orthodontist and
patient have a strong need for a method which enables them to visualize, using realistic pictures of the expected teeth
positioning to circumvent unexpectedly situations that eventually may occur in practice.
The main goal of the application is to perform the process of Cephalometric Analysis effectively. Cephalometric
Analysis is the first and most important step in the orthodontic treatment. This activity alone takes anywhere between
three to four hours to complete when done manually in the traditional way (i.e. using a tracing paper) and can be a
tiresome. The economic advantage of tool will allow newly established orthodontic ventures to acquire and use it,
thereby reducing a lot of human effort.
Also, dentistry students specializing in the field of orthodontics will be able to exploit the functionalities of this
application to experiment and learn the procedure for diagnosis of patient’s deformity and generation of a treatment plan.
Thus it could be an effective learning aid. Again, the economical advantage of system will enable institutions to provide
the application to their students as part of the educational infrastructure without creating an overhead in its expenditure.
Orthodontics is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites), which may be a result of
tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both[3]. Orthodontic treatment can focus on dental displacement
only, or can deal with the control and modification of facial growth. Orthodontic treatment is generally carried out for
purely aesthetic reasons with regard to improve the general appearance of patients' teeth. For an Orthodontic treatment,
the dentist must first perform diagnosis and generate a treatment plan.
In this respect, automatic cephalometric analysis is one of the main goals, to be reached in orthodontics in the near
future. Accordingly, several efforts have been made to automate assessment of cephalometric analysis.
Cephalometric analysis of lateral radiography of the head is an important tool in orthodontics. Manually locating
specific landmarks is a tedious, time consuming and error prone task. It consists of placing a sheet of acetate over the
cephalometric radiograph, tracing salient features, identifying landmarks, and measuring distances and angles between
landmark locations.
A computer-aided approach is proposed here. This approach aims at automating the procedure mentioned above. A X-
ray film is digitized. The system allows the orthodontics to plot landmarks directly on the screen and provide the
measurements. An application provides the user with the functionality to:
1. Load the image
2. Provide basic enhancement
3. Perform reference point (landmark) identification
4. Perform reference plane identification
5. Perform cephalometric analysis (measurements)
6. Store the results in an excel sheet
In this work, the process of cephalometric analysis is semi-automated, wherein landmarks needed for detecting
skeletal abnormalities are marked on the screen by the user and measurements are obtained.
Cephalometrics makes use of certain landmarks or points on the skull, which are used for quantitative analysis and
measurements (Fig 1). These landmarks represent actual anatomic structures of the skull and are obtained secondarily
from anatomic structures in a cephalogram. The landmarks should also permit valid quantitative measurements of lines
and angles projected from them.
V. SIMULATION RESULTS
The above table displays the stored values for the patient’s dental analysis. The labeled point A shows the angle SNA
value in degrees for a patient. Similarly all values are stored in the spreadsheet file and easy to retrieve.
VI. CONCLUSION
In this work, the process of landmark identification is semi-automated. The cephalometric measurements are
dependent on the specificity of this process. Hence the performance efficiency of this model is based on the expertise of
the user in identifying the landmarks.
REFERENCES
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