An artificial vision system for automatic diagnosis of periodontal disease

Evolution of Periodontal disease is one of the most important data for clinicians in order to achieve correct planning and treatment. Clinical measure of periodontal sulcus depth is the most important datum to know the exact state of periodontal disease. These measures have to be periodically done in order to study bone resorption evolution around teeth. Time factor of resorption indicates aggressiveness of periodontitis. Manual probes are commonly used with direct reading. Mechanical probes give automatic signal but this method uses complicated and heavy probes that are only limited for University researchers. Probe position must be the same to have right diagnosis. Digital image analysis of Periodontal probing provides practical, accurate and easy tool. Gum and plaque index could also be digitaly measured with this method.