THREE DIMENSIONAL IMAGING AND ANALYSIS OF A ROOT CANAL

A computer-based imaging technique for three dimensional modeling of root canal shape and accurate measuring of root canal length is provided. A direct digital radiology (DDR) system that replaces film by an electronic sensor is used to acquire radiographic images of the root canal. The DDR system allows instant radiographic imaging with significantly less patient exposure than conventional film-based radiography. Additionally, since the images are captured in digital form, a computer is used for processing. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, two digital images of the dentition from two different angles are acquired. The root canal in each image, along with the direction of projection will define a surface in 3-D space. The intersection of two surfaces will represent the root canal in 3-D. Once the 3-D shape of the root canal is reconstructed, the length of the root canal can be obtained by computing the length of the 3-D curve. The measured length will be scaled appropriately to include the pixel size and magnification due to projection. A computer program will carry out the process of detection of the root canal in each image, surface computation, length measurement, and calibration, with minimal user interaction. The computed model is rendered on a computer screen along with interactive options for viewing, rendering and superimposition on the radiographic image.