Computerised assessment-a novel approach for calculation of percentage of hypomineralized lesion on incisors and its correlation with aesthetic concern

Introduction

Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a localized, qualitative, demarcated enamel defect that affects first permanent molars (FPMs) and/or permanent incisors. The aim of present study was to introduce a novel computerised assessment process to detect and quantify the percentage opacity associated with MIH affected maxillary central incisors.

Methodology

Children (8–16 years) enrolled in the primary study having mild (white/cream or yellow/brown) MIH lesion on fully erupted maxillary permanent central incisor. 50 standardised images of MIH lesions were captured in an artificially lit room with fixed parameters and were anonymized and securely stored. Images were analysed by AI-driven computerised software and generates output classifications via a sophisticated algorithm crafted using a meticulously annotated image dataset as reference through supervised machine learning (SML). For the validation of computerised assessment of MIH lesions, the percentage of demarked opacity was calculated using ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS7.

Results

The percentage of MIH lesion was calculated through histogram plotting with the maxima ranging from 7.29 % to 71.21 % with the mean value of 34.51 %. The validation score ranged from 10.29 % to 67.27 % with the mean value of 35.32 %. The difference between the two was statistically not significant. Out of 50 patients; 11 patients had 1–30 % of surface affected with MIH and 2 had aesthetic concern; 24 had 30–60 % of surface affected and 13 had aesthetic concern; 15 had >60 % of surface affected and 12 had aesthetic concerns.

Conclusions

The proposed approach exhibit sufficient quality to be integrated into a dental software addressing practical challenges encountered in daily clinical settings.