Profile Photograph Classification Performance of Deep Learning Algorithms Trained Using Cephalometric Measurements: A Preliminary Study

Extraoral profile photographs are crucial for orthodontic diagnosis, documentation, and treatment planning. The purpose of this study was to evaluate classifications made on extraoral patient photographs by deep learning algorithms trained using grouped patient pictures based on cephalometric measurements. Cephalometric radiographs and profile photographs of 990 patients from the archives of Kocaeli University Faculty of Dentistry Department of Orthodontics were used for the study. FH-NA, FH-NPog, FMA and N-A-Pog measurements on patient cephalometric radiographs were carried out utilizing Webceph. 3 groups for every parameter were formed according to cephalometric values. Deep learning algorithms were trained using extraoral photographs of the patients which were grouped according to respective cephalometric measurements. 14 deep learning models were trained and tested for accuracy of prediction in classifying patient images. Accuracy rates of up to 96.67% for FH-NA groups, 97.33% for FH-NPog groups, 97.67% for FMA groups and 97.00% for N-A-Pog groups were obtained. This is a pioneering study where an attempt was made to classify clinical photographs using artificial intelligence architectures that were trained according to actual cephalometric values, thus eliminating or reducing the need for cephalometric X-rays in future applications for orthodontic diagnosis.