Image Fusion With a Dental Panoramic X-ray Image and Face Image Acquired With a KINECT

The aim of this study was to make a fusion image combined with a patient's face image and three dimensional teeth and jaw-bone image reconstructed with panoramic x-ray data. To make a face image, we used a KINECT sensor that was attached to the arm of the dental panoramic x-ray system. The xray tube and detector were located opposite to each other inside the arm, and the arm rotated around the patient's head. We used depth data measured by the KINECT sensor to make a three dimensional face image of the patient. The three dimensional teeth and jaw-bone image at the standard dental arch was made with the tomosynthesis technique. The location of the standard dental arch was measured in advance with the dedicated phantom. The registration of two images was conducted with tungsten rubber markers. The experiments with a volunteer showed that the reconstructed fusion image was acceptable for clinical use.