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A novel image processing technique for 3D volumetric analysis of severely resorbed alveolar sockets with CBCT
Valeria Manavella1, Federica Romano2, Federica Garrone3
1Section of Periodontology, C.I.R. Dental School, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Background:
The aim of this study was to present and validate a novel procedure for the quantitative volumetric assessment of extraction sockets that combines cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and image processing techniques.
Methods:
The CBCT dataset of 9 severely resorbed extraction sockets was analyzed by means of two image processing software, Image J and Mimics, using manual and automated segmentation techniques. They were also applied on 5-mm spherical aluminum markers of known volume and on a polyvinyl chloride model of one alveolar socket scanned with Micro-CT to test the accuracy.
Results:
Statistical differences in alveolar socket volume were found between the different methods of volumetric analysis (P<0.0001). The automated segmentation using Mimics was the most reliable and accurate method with a relative error of 1.5%, considerably smaller than the error of 7% and of 10% introduced by the manual method using Mimics and by the automated method using ImageJ.
Conclusions:
The currently proposed automated segmentation protocol for the three-dimensional rendering of alveolar sockets showed more accurate results, excellent inter-observer similarity and increased user friendliness. The clinical application of this method enables a three-dimensional evaluation of extraction socket healing after the reconstructive procedures and during the follow-up visits.
