Convolutional neural networks for dental image diagnostics: A scoping review

Abstract

OBJECTIVES Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are increasingly applied for medical image diagnostics. We performed a scoping review, exploring (1) use cases, (2) methodologies and (3) findings of studies applying CNN on dental image material. SOURCES Medline via PubMed, IEEE Xplore, arXiv were searched. STUDY SELECTION Full-text articles and conference-proceedings reporting CNN application on dental imagery were included. DATA Thirty-six studies, published 2015-2019, were included, mainly from four countries (South Korea, United States, Japan, China). Studies focussed on general dentistry (n = 15 studies), cariology (n = 5), endodontics (n = 2), periodontology (n = 3), orthodontics (n = 3), dental radiology (2), forensic dentistry (n = 2) and general medicine (n = 4). Most often, the detection, segmentation or classification of anatomical structures, including teeth (n = 9), jaw bone (n = 2) and skeletal landmarks (n = 4) was performed. Detection of pathologies focused on caries (n = 3). The most commonly used image type were panoramic radiographs (n = 11), followed by periapical radiographs (n = 8), Cone-Beam CT or conventional CT (n = 6). Dataset sizes varied between 10-5,166 images (mean 1,053). Most studies used medical professionals to label the images and constitute the reference test. A large range of outcome metrics was employed, hampering comparisons across studies. A comparison of the CNN performance against an independent test group of dentists was provided by seven studies; most studies found the CNN to perform similar to dentists. Applicability or impact on treatment decision was not assessed at all. CONCLUSIONS CNNs are increasingly employed for dental image diagnostics in research settings. Their usefulness, safety and generalizability should be demonstrated using more rigorous, replicable and comparable methodology. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE CNNs may be used in diagnostic-assistance systems, thereby assisting dentists in a more comprehensive, systematic and faster evaluation and documentation of dental images. CNNs may become applicable in routine care; however, prior to that, the dental community should appraise them against the rules of evidence-based practice.