Three-dimensional perception of radiographic images among dental students and dentists.
Six radiographs exhibiting problems of three-dimensional perception were shown to seventy-six inexperienced dental students and to seventy-six experienced dentists. They were asked (1) from which viewing direction they perceived the image, (2) if they were able to reverse the image, and if not (3) if they denied the possibility of reversibility. In most cases a vast majority (83 to 93 percent) agreed in one perception. Twelve to 62 percent were unable to reverse the images. High percentages of the observers denied perceptions other than their own. No statistically significant differences were observed between the answers of the students and the dentists. The decisions of the observers and their restricted ability for ambiguous perception are discussed. Rules governing the choices of perception are suggested. The importance of training at undergraduate as well as postgraduate levels in perceiving radiographic images ambiguously and three-dimensionally is stressed.
D003815:Dentists; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D013335:Students, Dental; D014796:Visual Perception