Optimization of radiation doses in panoramic X-ray examination using automated image processing

Radiological techniques based on X-rays are well established in medical diagnostics and there are known risks associated with the use of ionizing radiation like X-rays. That explains why the X-ray technology is constantly under development in the pursuit of new technologies that can contribute to reduce radiation dose to patients. Since the reduction of a radiation dose generally results in a poorer image quality, we have investigated whether the use of digital image processing can provide panoramic radiographs with enhanced image quality. An automated image processing algorithm was proposed and employed for this purpose. Panoramic X-ray examination is an important and common tool in dental radiology, used especially for children and teenagers. The technique is used to create an overview of a patient's jaw.