Implementation of tomosynthesis in dental x-ray imaging

Abstract

Digital tomosynthesis is a method of reconstructing any number of tomographic planes, by using a set of limited angle projections, acquired as the X-ray source moves around the object. The quality of the reconstructed planes is a ected by structured artifacts, due to blur from planes other than the planeof- interest. In this project a special multiple projection algorithm along with an out-of-plane blur removal method is implemented to improve the image quality. In-silico phantom experiments was employed to evaluate the parameters that a ect the image quality in tomosynthesis. Di erent groups were created with varying arc lenghts and projection counts. A blur removal method was implemented during image reconstruction to increase image quality. Image quality was evaluated by both visual assessment and structural similarity analysis. The proposed noise removal algorithm resulted in images with less artifacts. Preliminary tests of the algorithm were also done in a physical dental phantom. The results showed that the tomosynthesis image reconstruction could be a promising and a low cost method to evaluate digital dental x-rays without excess radiation to the patient.|Keywords : Tomosynthesis, X-ray, Digital imaging, Dental imaging.