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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
A Finite Element Approach for Locating the Center of Resistance of Maxillary Teeth
Published on: April 8, 2020
Development and verification of a convolutional neural network-based model for automatic mandibular canal
Xiao Pan1,2, Chengtao Wang1, Xuhui Luo1
1Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Institute of Stomatology, Nanjing University, Zhong Yang Road 30, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, China.
Objectives:
Development and verification of a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based deep learning (DL) model for mandibular canal (MC) localization on multicenter cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.
Methods:
In this study, a total 1056 CBCT scans in multiple centers were collected. Of these, 836 CBCT scans of one manufacturer were used for development of CNN model (training set: validation set: internal testing set = 640:360:36) and an external testing dataset of 220 CBCT scans from other four manufacturers were tested. The convolution module was built using a stack of Conv + InstanceNorm + LeakyReLU. Average symmetric surface distance (ASSD) and symmetric mean curve distance (SMCD) were used for quantitative evaluation of this model for both internal testing data and partial external testing data. Visual scoring (1-5 points) were performed to evaluate the accuracy and generalizability of MC localization for all external testing data. The differences of ASSD, SMCD and visual scores among the four manufacturers were compared for external testing dataset. The time of manual and automatic MC localization were recorded.
Results:
For the internal testing dataset, the average ASSD and SMCD was 0.486 mm and 0.298 mm respectively. For the external testing dataset, 86.8% CBCT scans' visual scores ≥ 4 points; the average ASSD and SMCD of 40 CBCT scans with visual scores ≥ 4 points were 0.438 mm and 0.185 mm respectively; there were significant differences among the four manufacturers for ASSD, SMCD and visual scores (p < 0.05). And the time for bilateral automatic MC localization was 8.52s (± 0.97s).
Conclusions:
In this study, a CNN model was developed for automatic MC localization, and external testing of large sample on multicenter CBCT images showed its excellent clinical application potential.
