Quantitative measurement and potential diagnosis of dental caries based on fusion modeling of IOS and CBCT images

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a quantitative measurement and potential diagnosis of dental caries methodology based on fusion modeling of intraoral scanner (IOS) and cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT).Materials and methods: Sixty extracted human permanent mandibular molar teeth were collected from Tianjin Stomatological Hospital. Two independent caries detection methods were used as index tests: assessment using fusion modeling of IOS and CBCT, visual-tactile examination with periapical radiographic assessment using international caries detection and assessment system (ICDAS) criteria. Histological assessment was used as the reference test. One-way ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis.Results: The teeth samples presented various caries stages among each groups. Fusion modeling of IOS and CBCT gave an accuracy of 96.7% while visual-tactile examination with periapical radiographic assessment reached 83.3% and 81.7%, respectively. Most index tests showed significant correlation with histological assessments. IOS-CBCT fusion group resulted in the highest reliability, and the highest sum of sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) (sum SE-SP: 1.60–1.84). Conclusions: The measurement and diagnosis of dental caries methodology based on fusion modeling of IOS and CBCT images was noninvasive and sensitive. The findings reported here shed new light on dental caries detection, classification, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Clinical relevance: This dental caries measurement and diagnosis method offered a foundation for risk assessment and surveillance, disease prevention and health promotion of dental caries. It could be helpful in supporting the continuing development of caries lesion classification and disease management systems, and facilitating communication between practitioners, patients, researchers and policymakers.