Effect of scenario and experience on interpretation of mach bands

The creation of the radiographic illusion known as a mach band at the intersection of two images of differing radiopacities can be misinterpreted as pathosis in certain situations. After reviewing instances where misinterpretation may occur, this study asked 33 fourth-year dental students and 40 dentists to interpret the same radiograph involving a maxillary central incisor under two different hypothetical scenarios: first, in the case of a patient requesting vital bleaching, and second, where a patient has received recent trauma to the mouth. Results showed that dental students are more susceptible than dentists to misinterpreting as a horizontal root fracture (a mach band illusion) what is known to be the junction of alveolar crestal bone and root. Furthermore when presented with a scenario of trauma, both students and dentists are more likely to mistake what is being seen as being a fracture line.