Dental Plaque Fluorescence Imaging With Tooth-Area White Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental plaque detection devices lack the ability to detect dental plaque conditions in detail.
Innovation Solution
A dental plaque detection device that obtains an RGB image from reflected light and fluorescence using irradiation light of a predetermined wavelength, performs image processing to adjust color component gains, and detects the content per unit area of fluorescent substances in dental plaque and calculus, enhancing detection accuracy and white balance adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional dental plaque detection devices are used, then basic plaque detection is possible, but detailed tooth condition detection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into multiple stages: first extracting natural tooth areas without plaque, then performing white balance adjustment on these reference areas, and finally detecting fluorescent substance content in the entire image. This segmentation allows for more precise measurement by using clean tooth areas as reference standards, thereby improving detection accuracy while preserving detailed tooth condition information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary white balance adjustment using natural tooth areas before conducting the actual plaque detection. By pre-processing the image to establish accurate color reference from plaque-free areas, the system prepares the foundation for subsequent precise fluorescent substance quantification, enabling detailed tooth condition assessment.
2Measurement precision
If image processing is performed without white balance adjustment, then processing speed is maintained, but color accuracy and plaque area distinction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts natural tooth areas without dental plaque or calculus from the image to serve as reference regions for white balance adjustment. By isolating and utilizing only the clean tooth portions as reference standards, the system achieves accurate color calibration without being influenced by plaque contamination, thereby improving color accuracy while maintaining manageable processing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If fluorescent substance detection is performed without proper image processing, then detection speed is maintained, but detection accuracy and plaque area distinction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image processing into distinct segments: first identifying and extracting natural tooth areas, then performing white balance adjustment on these extracted regions, and finally conducting fluorescent substance detection. This segmented approach ensures that each processing stage builds on accurate previous results, improving overall detection accuracy while managing processing time efficiently through targeted operations on specific image regions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device can accurately detect the content per unit area of fluorescent substances in dental plaque and calculus, improving detection accuracy and distinguishing plaque areas, thereby providing detailed tooth condition assessment.
Implementation Method 1
irradiation light of a predetermined wavelength that excites a fluorescent substance contained in the dental plaque and the dental calculus
Data Source
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AI summary
A dental plaque detection device includes: an obtainer (101) that obtains a first RGB image from reflected light and fluorescence from a tooth, dental plaque, and a dental calculus inside an oral cavity irradiated with irradiation light of a predetermined wavelength; and a detector (102) that generates a second RGB image by performing, on the first RGB image, image processing including first image processing, and detects a content per unit area of the fluorescent substance contained in the dental plaque and the dental calculus adhering to the tooth in accordance with the second RGB image. In the first image processing, a natural tooth area without dental plaque or a dental calculus is extracted from the first RGB image, and a gain for each of at least two color components among the red component, the green component, and the blue component of the first RGB image is adjusted so as to equalize the first red pixel average value of red pixel values, the first green pixel average value of green pixel values, and the first blue pixel average value of blue pixel values, the red pixel values, the green pixel values, and the blue pixel values being the pixel values of first pixels making up the natural tooth area.