The integration of image processing in novel systems bids fair to significantly improve the endodontic practice in the near future. Also, the attempt to automatically locate and classify the root canals may result in significantly decreased chair time for both the patient and the practitioner. We focus on the shapes of human root canals and their automatic classification, methods for automatic processing, and center line identification of tooth root canal as defined previously. We introduce some micro-computed tomography image analysis methods possible for clinical implementation of cone beam computed tomography image analysis in endodontics and limitations of novel techniques. In this chapter, we present our results of segmentation and root canal identification of cone beam computed tomography images.
Part of the book: Computer Vision in Dentistry