CephNinja: A smart app for orthodontists
As a dentist specializing in orthodontics, one thing has always bothered me; why is the dental industry so slow in incorporating the technological advancements that have been welcomed by the medical industry many years ago!
Yes, we benefit from cutting-edge technology like digital x-rays, CBCT, intra-oral imaging, and 3D printing. But when it comes to orthodontic treatment planning, it always comes down to manual cephalometric analysis and interpretation — a process that requires hours of dental professionals’ precious time — that could otherwise have been spent on taking care of their patients. So I had always wondered if it were possible to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in cephalometric and x-ray analysis.
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I searched the internet for software that provided automatic cephalometric tracing. Unfortunately, they offered limited features — still requiring manual input — or they cost a fortune and could only be afforded by a multi-specialty hospital, not a small orthodontic practice like mine. Others were only available for use on desktop systems. Today, when we control everything using smartphones, why can’t we use our phones to analyze cephalograms?
My quest for a software-based solution for cephalometric analysis culminated when I came across CephNinja — an AI- and ML-based mobile phone application that does the entire cephalometric analysis for you, from landmark identification to tracings and giving you all the necessary numbers right on your smartphone’s screen. The software allows you to choose from different cephalometric analysis types and even customize it according to your preferences. You can also add patient radiographs and photographs and edit them on the go. You can also export the analysis results in any format and share them will your co-workers or colleagues for an opinion.
Whether you’re stuck in traffic or flying to a conference, you can analyze your patient records and prepare orthodontic treatment plans in a matter of minutes. What’s best about this app is that it does not cost a fortune — it is affordable, and anyone can buy it, from a small practice owner to large dental hospitals. I feel that this app can also be a great tool to teach and train dental students and residents to help them learn cephalometry quickly and precisely.
As a dental professional, I find CephNinja to be a handy app that saves me time and allows me to focus on the important thing — the treatment and welfare of my patients. I can now spend more time with my patients.
