Edge detection in digital panoramic dental radiograph using improved morphological gradient and MATLAB

Biomedical imaging plays an imperative role in the detection process that in turn aids specialists in making an accurate diagnosis. Panoramic dental radiograph is widely used by dentists as it facilitates wider diagnosis of the j aw, teeth and soft tissue. Panoramic image requires an image processing that could generate sharper and clearer images or could improve the quality of information contained in the image. This will facilitate a better visual interpretation of it. Edge detection is the fundamental step required in many image processing applications for obtaining information from the image segmentation, feature extraction etc. However, conventional edge detection operators are not always suitable to work with different types of images due to differences in the nature of image and the variation of problems in the image. This study focus on automating edge detection of panoramic dental radiographs using Multiple Morphological Gradient Method and making use of MATLAB for implementing algorithms developed. Datasets of digital panoramic dental radiograph in JPEG format are used for edge detection of the region of interest. The results show successful implementation of methodology developed.