A novel image processing technique for 3D volumetric analysis of severely resorbed alveolar sockets with CBCT
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Published on: August 5, 2021
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.
