Researchers from Stony Brook University have received a grant to study whether routine dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans can help detect early signs of heart disease.
Led by professors Dr. Mina Mahdian and Prateek Prasanna, PhD, the two-year project will develop an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to automatically identify arterial calcifications, which are mineral deposits that may signal cardiovascular risk.
If successful, the tool could turn routine dental visits into a valuable opportunity to catch heart disease early.
With a $300,000 grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, this effort aims to support broader goals of improving care through AI and enhancing data-sharing standards across health systems.
