Efficacy of deep convolutional neural network algorithm for the identification and classification of dental implant systems, using panoramic and periapical radiographs: A pilot study

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs), a particular type of deep learning architecture, are positioned to become one of the most transformative technologies for medical applications. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of deep CNN algorithm for the identification and classification of dental implant systems. A total of 5390 panoramic and 5380 periapical radiographic images from 3 types of dental implant systems, with similar shape and internal conical connection, were randomly divided into training and validation dataset (80%) and a test dataset (20%). We performed image preprocessing and transfer learning techniques, based on fine-tuned and pre-trained deep CNN architecture (GoogLeNet Inception-v3). The test dataset was used to assess the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic curve, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), and confusion matrix compared between deep CNN and periodontal specialist. We found that the deep CNN architecture (AUC = 0.971, 95% confidence interval 0.963–0.978) and board-certified periodontist (AUC = 0.925, 95% confidence interval 0.913–0.935) showed reliable classification accuracies. This study demonstrated that deep CNN architecture is useful for the identification and classification of dental implant systems using panoramic and periapical radiographic images.