High-resolution ultrasonography of gingival biomarkers for periodontal diagnosis in healthy and diseased subjects

A computer-implemented method for diagnosing or monitoring periodontal disease, comprising:

• obtaining one or more B-mode ultrasound images of a dentition and periodontium of a patient;
• identifying, on the ultrasound images, at least two anatomical biomarkers selected from a gingival margin (GM), alveolar bone crest (ABC), cementoenamel junction (CEJ), periodontal ligament (PDL), and gingival edge (GE);
• determining at least one metric, wherein the metric comprises a quantitative measurement defined as a distance, ratio, or geometric relationship between two or more of the identified biomarkers;
• evaluating the metric by comparing it to a predetermined threshold, reference range, or baseline to generate a diagnostic indicator of periodontal health or disease;
• and
• based at least in part on the evaluation, performing a therapeutic treatment of the periodontal disease identified by the diagnostic indicator.