Decoding dental images: a comprehensive review of fractal analysis

Abstract Objectives New tools aid in the diagnosis of diseases and thus help in advancing patient care. “Fractal Analysis” is a versatile method of applying nontraditional mathematics to patterns that are beyond understanding with traditional Euclidean concepts. This analysis can be used on radiogra...

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Main Authors: Lisamarie Shalini Linhares Colaco, Yogesh Chhaparwal, Vathsala Patil, Komal Smriti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-08-01
Series:BDJ Open
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41405-025-00365-1
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author Lisamarie Shalini Linhares Colaco
Yogesh Chhaparwal
Vathsala Patil
Komal Smriti
author_facet Lisamarie Shalini Linhares Colaco
Yogesh Chhaparwal
Vathsala Patil
Komal Smriti
author_sort Lisamarie Shalini Linhares Colaco
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objectives New tools aid in the diagnosis of diseases and thus help in advancing patient care. “Fractal Analysis” is a versatile method of applying nontraditional mathematics to patterns that are beyond understanding with traditional Euclidean concepts. This analysis can be used on radiographic and non-radiographic images in dentistry. In this review we aim to identify the usefulness of fractal analysis in dentistry in radiographic images, its applications and future scope. Materials and Methods Articles published between 1992 and 2024 were retrieved through an electronic search of Medline via PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. The search, which was limited to articles published in English, aimed to identify relevant studies by employing the following keywords: “fractal analysis,” “dental radiographs,” “mandibular,” “panoramic radiographs,” and “radiography.” Ultimately, 76 articles that addressed the application of fractal analysis in dental radiographs were selected. Results Fractal analysis can reveal alterations in bone and in images of morphologically altered tissue, however no set values exist which could be used as a standard for diagnosing various conditions. Conclusion Fractal Analysis can potentially be used as an adjunct to diagnostic tests as it is shown to identify alterations in bony and trabeculae patterns.
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spelling doaj-art-10abe0073eb84c4ca2a6d20c6f3cffcf2025-08-24T11:47:12ZengNature Publishing GroupBDJ Open2056-807X2025-08-011111910.1038/s41405-025-00365-1Decoding dental images: a comprehensive review of fractal analysisLisamarie Shalini Linhares Colaco0Yogesh Chhaparwal1Vathsala Patil2Komal Smriti3Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher EducationDepartment of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher EducationDepartment of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher EducationDepartment of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher EducationAbstract Objectives New tools aid in the diagnosis of diseases and thus help in advancing patient care. “Fractal Analysis” is a versatile method of applying nontraditional mathematics to patterns that are beyond understanding with traditional Euclidean concepts. This analysis can be used on radiographic and non-radiographic images in dentistry. In this review we aim to identify the usefulness of fractal analysis in dentistry in radiographic images, its applications and future scope. Materials and Methods Articles published between 1992 and 2024 were retrieved through an electronic search of Medline via PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. The search, which was limited to articles published in English, aimed to identify relevant studies by employing the following keywords: “fractal analysis,” “dental radiographs,” “mandibular,” “panoramic radiographs,” and “radiography.” Ultimately, 76 articles that addressed the application of fractal analysis in dental radiographs were selected. Results Fractal analysis can reveal alterations in bone and in images of morphologically altered tissue, however no set values exist which could be used as a standard for diagnosing various conditions. Conclusion Fractal Analysis can potentially be used as an adjunct to diagnostic tests as it is shown to identify alterations in bony and trabeculae patterns.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41405-025-00365-1
spellingShingle Lisamarie Shalini Linhares Colaco
Yogesh Chhaparwal
Vathsala Patil
Komal Smriti
Decoding dental images: a comprehensive review of fractal analysis
BDJ Open
title Decoding dental images: a comprehensive review of fractal analysis
title_full Decoding dental images: a comprehensive review of fractal analysis
title_fullStr Decoding dental images: a comprehensive review of fractal analysis
title_full_unstemmed Decoding dental images: a comprehensive review of fractal analysis
title_short Decoding dental images: a comprehensive review of fractal analysis
title_sort decoding dental images a comprehensive review of fractal analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41405-025-00365-1
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