Adaptive Multi-resolution Hash-Encoding Framework for INR-based Dental CBCT Reconstruction with Truncated FOV

TL;DR

This paper introduces an adaptive multi-resolution hash encoding framework for INR-based dental CBCT reconstruction with truncated FOV, effectively reducing artifacts and computational costs.

Contribution

It proposes an adaptive hash encoding strategy that extends the reconstruction domain and adjusts resolution levels to mitigate truncation artifacts efficiently.

Findings

Reduces truncation artifacts in dental CBCT reconstructions.

Cuts computational time by over 60% compared to naive methods.

Maintains PSNR within the truncated FOV.

Abstract

Implicit neural representation (INR), particularly in combination with hash encoding, has recently emerged as a promising approach for computed tomography (CT) image reconstruction. However, directly applying INR techniques to 3D dental cone-beam CT (CBCT) with a truncated field of view (FOV) is challenging. During the training process, if the FOV does not fully encompass the patient's head, a discrepancy arises between the measured projections and the forward projections computed within the truncated domain. This mismatch leads the network to estimate attenuation values inaccurately, producing severe artifacts in the reconstructed images. In this study, we propose a computationally efficient INR-based reconstruction framework that leverages multi-resolution hash encoding for 3D dental CBCT with a truncated FOV. To mitigate truncation artifacts, we train the network over an expanded reconstruction domain that fully encompasses the patient's head. For computational efficiency, we adopt an adaptive training strategy that uses a multi-resolution grid: finer resolution levels and denser sampling inside the truncated FOV, and coarser resolution levels with sparser sampling outside. To maintain consistent input dimensionality of the network across spatially varying resolutions, we introduce an adaptive hash encoder that selectively activates the lower-level features of the hash hierarchy for points outside the truncated FOV. The proposed method with an extended FOV effectively mitigates truncation artifacts. Compared with a naive domain extension using fixed resolution levels and a fixed sampling rate, the adaptive strategy reduces computational time by over 60% for an image volume of 800x800x600, while preserving the PSNR within the truncated FOV.