Usefulness of fractal analysis for the diagnosis of periodontitis

Cha, Sang Yun; Han, Won Jeong; Kim, Eun Kyung

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of fractal analysis for diagnosis of periodontitis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Each 30 cases of periapical films of male mandibular molar were selected in normal group and patient group which had complete furcation involvement. They were digitized at 300 dpi, 256 gray levels and saved with gif format. Rectangular ROIs (10X20 pixel) were selected at furcation, interdental crest, and interdental middle 1/3 area. Fractal dimensions were calculated three times at each area by mass radius method and were determined using a mean of three measurements. We compared fractal dimensions at furcation and interdental crest area of normal group with those of patient group. And then we compared ratio of fractal dimensions at furcation area, interdental crest area to interdental middle 1/3 area.
RESULTS
Fractal dimension at interdental crest area of normal group was 1.979+/-0.018 and that of patient group 1.971+/-0.012 (p>0.05). Fractal dimension at furcation area of normal group was 1.986+/-0.024 and that of patient group 1.974+/-0.015 (p<0.05). The ratio of fractal dimension at interdental crest area to interdental middle 1/3 of normal group was 1.003+/-0.015 and that of patient group<0.993+/-0.018 (p<0.05). The ratio of fractal dimension at furcation area to interdental middle 1/3 of normal group was 1.006+/-0.018 and that of patient group 0.994+/-0.018 (p 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The ratio of fractal dimension at interdental crest and furcation area to interdental middle 1/3 area showed a statistically significant difference between normal and patient group. In conclusion, it is thought that fractal analysis might be useful for the diagnosis of periodontitis.