We are redefining Image Analysis research in Dentistry through open systems and sharing.

We bring together clinical researchers, computer scientists and engineers in the cores of the NA-MIC, to address the following gaps between clinical choices and effective treatments: (a) a lack of quantitative imaging biomarkers of bone structure; (b) limitations in techniques to assess treatment effects and quantify degradation or repair of bone; (c) a lack of software and training for the use in dental clinical practice management.

We work to integrate and share imaging quantitative methodology in Dentistry, supporting patient-specific decision making and assessment of the disease progression via registration of serial images. We are currently developing computational algorithms that extend the capabilities of the 3DSlicer open-source technologies. We create open-source technologies that facilitate collaboration on data, enable sharing and reuse, and perform our own cutting-edge image analysis of dental and craniofacial data sets.

Our long-term goals are to aid the decision process of treatment procedures, allow translation of basic science developments into the clinical field with efficient engineering solutions, and train both young clinical image specialists and experienced clinical researchers on the new tools and techniques.

This work was supported by the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering under Award Number R01DE024450. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health