Co-Mask R-CNN: collaborative learning-based method for tooth instance segmentation

Traditional tooth image analysis methods primarily focus on feature extraction from individual images, often overlooking critical tooth shape and position information. This paper presents a novel computer-aided diagnosis method, Collaborative learning with Mask Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (Co-Mask R-CNN), designed to enhance tooth image analysis by leveraging the integration of complementary information. First, image enhancement is employed to generate an edge-enhanced tooth edge image. Then, a collaborative learning strategy combined with Mask R-CNN is introduced, where the original and edge images are input simultaneously, and a two-stream encoder extracts feature maps from complementary images. By utilizing an attention mechanism, the output features from the two branches are dynamically fused, quantifying the relative importance of the two complementary images at different spatial positions. Finally, the fused feature map is utilized for tooth instance segmentation. Extensive experiments are conducted using a proprietary dataset to evaluate the effectiveness of Co-Mask R-CNN, and the results are compared against those of an alternative segmentation network. The results demonstrate that Co-Mask R-CNN outperforms the other networks in terms of both segmentation accuracy and robustness. Consequently, this method holds considerable promise for providing medical professionals with precise tooth segmentation results, establishing a reliable foundation for subsequent tooth disease diagnosis and treatment.