Use of fractal analysis in dental images: a systematic review

Abstract

Objectives: This study reviewed the use of fractal analysis (FA) in dental images. Methods: A search was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, LILACS, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases. The inclusion criteria were human studies in the English language, with no date restriction. Results: 78 articles were found in which FA was applied to panoramic radiographs (34), periapical radiographs (21), bitewing radiographs (4), cephalometric radiograph (1), cone beam CT (15), micro-CT (3), sialography (2), and ultrasound (2). Low bone mineral density (21) and systemic or local diseases (22) around the bone of dental implants were the main subjects of the study of FA. Various sizes and sites of the regions of interest were used to evaluate the bone structure. Different ways were used to treat the image and to calculate FA. FA of 43 articles showed significant differences in the comparison of groups, mainly between healthy and sick patients. Conclusions: FA in Dentistry has been widely applied to the study of images. Panoramic and periapical radiographs were those most frequently used. The Image J software and the box-counting method were extensively adopted in the studies reviewed herein. Further studies are encouraged to improve clarification of the parameters that directly influence FA.

Quantitative ultrasound assessment of the influence of roughness and healing time on osseointegration phenomena

“…Note that we did not consider fractal analysis for investigations of the BIC 42 because the image analysis was not precise enough. To do so, additional high-resolution imaging analyses should be performed such as micro-CT 43 or scanning electron microscopy 42 .…”

Bone Quality of the Dento-Maxillofacial Complex and Osteoporosis. Opportunistic Radiographic Interpretation

“…In this same year, Bulut et al, studied the mandibular indexes and fractal properties on the panoramic radiographs of the patients using aromatase inhibitors (AI) to determine the mandibular cortical and trabecular bone changes in females with breast cancer. Concluded that AI use affects bone quality and evaluating FD and another mandibular index in panoramic radiography and FD can be used to determine the effect of this drug on the jaw bones in the early period [31][32].…”

Ten Years of Micro-CT in Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Literature Overview

“…Experimental mechanical testing techniques, performed respecting international standards or experimental protocols, continue to contribute and to corroborate with microtomographic, histomorphometric, and numerical data [91,116]. Finally, even if the information was collected in a record that is a review study not focused on micro-CT and, as it was not discussed previously [141], it is covered in this section for underlining the role of micro-CT in relation to the numerical method fractal analysis (FA). The FA is a mathematical method by which irregular, complex, and similar forms on various scales can be evaluated.…”

“…The FA is a mathematical method by which irregular, complex, and similar forms on various scales can be evaluated. The fractal dimension (FD) is the quantitative outcome [141]. In dentistry, the FA was employed in several studies.…”