EXTENDING 2D MANDIBULAR RADIOGRAPHS INTO 3D, BASED ON THE X-RAY PHYSICS OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS

摘要

A new method is presented for "extending" 2D radiographs into the third dimension. Pixel grey values, reflecting X-ray intensity losses, are converted into average attenuation coefficients, and the latter are related to vascular porosities in cortical and trabecular bone. These conversions contain information on cortical and overall mandibular thicknesses, pixel-specific bounds for which can be finally assessed from the pixel brightness. Computed thickness profiles allow for localizing potential abnormalities in the mandible, as incentive for further, targeted examination.