Precision and Accuracy Assessment of Cephalometric Analyses Performed by Deep Learning Artificial Intelligence with and without Human Augmentation

Abstract

The aim was to assess the precision and accuracy of cephalometric analyses performed by artificial intelligence (AI) with and without human augmentation. Four dental professionals with varying experience levels identified 31 landmarks on 30 cephalometric radiographs twice. These landmarks were re-identified by all examiners with the aid of AI. Precision and accuracy were assessed by using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and mean absolute errors (MAEs). AI revealed the highest precision, with a mean ICC of 0.97, while the dental student had the lowest (mean ICC: 0.77). The AI/human augmentation method significantly improved the precision of the orthodontist, resident, dentist, and dental student by 3.26%, 2.17%, 19.75%, and 23.38%, respectively. The orthodontist demonstrated the highest accuracy with an MAE of 1.57 mm/°. The AI/human augmentation method improved the accuracy of the orthodontist, resident, dentist, and dental student by 12.74%, 19.10%, 35.69%, and 33.96%, respectively. AI demonstrated excellent precision and good accuracy in automated cephalometric analysis. The precision and accuracy of the examiners with the aid of AI improved by 10.47% and 27.27%, respectively. The AI/human augmentation method significantly improved the precision and accuracy of less experienced dental professionals to the level of an experienced orthodontist.

Keywords

• artificial intelligence
• machine learning
• orthodontics
• radiology
• cephalometry