Design and Implementation of a Knowledge Engineering-Based Dental Diagnostic Expert System (DDES)

In this paper, we propose an expert system which is based on knowledge engineering named DDES - dental diagnostic expert system. Besides, a hybrid knowledge acquisition strategy is proposed to efficiently elicit the knowledge from experienced dentists and construct the medical ontology. The system fulfills the storage of dental photos and X-ray images, typical cases, patients' information and concerned data. It enables the complex query for combined conditions and the display of requisite results by interactive interface between user and computer. For those teeth by root canal therapy, we can not only differentiate the 3D images between pre and post treatment, but also analyze force condition of every tooth. Theses query and analysis results supply dentists with diagnostic basis. The DDES uses artificial intelligence, knowledge engineering, database and computer technology and acts as a consultant role to help dentists diagnose some dental diseases. For the students of dental academy and practical dentist, the DDES is a useful learning and aided diagnosis tool.