Integration of imaging modalities in digital dental workflows - possibilities, limitations, and potential future developments.

Journal: Dento maxillo facial radiology
Published Date:

Abstract

The digital workflow process follows different steps for all dental specialties. However, the main ingredient for the diagnosis, treatment planning and follow-up workflow recipes is the imaging chain. The steps in the imaging chain usually include all or at least some of the following modalities: cone-beam computed tomographic data acquisition, segmentation of the cone-beam computed tomography image, intraoral scanning, facial three-dimensional soft tissue capture and superimposition of all the images for the creation of a virtual augmented model. As a relevant clinical problem, the accumulation of error at each step of the chain might negatively influence the final outcome. For an efficient digital workflow, it is important to be aware of the existing challenges within the imaging chain. Furthermore, artificial intelligence-based strategies need to be integrated in the future to make the workflow more simplified, accurate and efficient.

Authors

  • Sohaib Shujaat
    OMFS IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging & Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
  • Michael M Bornstein
    Department of Oral Health & Medicine, University Center for Dental Medicine Basel UZB, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
  • Jeffery B Price
    Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Maryland, School of Dentistry, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
  • Reinhilde Jacobs
    OMFS IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven and Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: reinhilde.jacobs@ki.se.