Does Mirrored Versus Non-Mirrored Presentation of Mock-Up Influence the Perception of it: A Comparative Analysis

To evaluate whether mirrored versus non-mirrored presentation of an AI-generated, scan-free virtual mock-up influences esthetic self-perception, and to compare perception patterns between laypeople and dental professionals using the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES). The null hypothesis was that mirrored and non-mirrored presentations would result in no differences in esthetic perception.

Fifty participants (25 laypeople, 25 dental professionals) viewed a standardized video of themselves integrated with a scan-free AI-generated virtual mock-up of the anterior dentition. Participants were randomized to first view either a mirrored or non-mirrored version, followed by the opposite format after a minimum 14-day interval. At each assessment, participants completed the eight-item OES. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for within-subject comparisons (mirrored vs non-mirrored), and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were applied for subgroup comparisons (laypeople vs professionals). All p-values were adjusted using the Holm method.

Across all eight OES items, no statistically significant differences were found between mirrored and non-mirrored mock-up presentations (p > 0.05). Laypeople consistently provided higher esthetic ratings than dental professionals. For the non-mirrored condition, significant between-group differences were observed for tooth form (p = 0.036), tooth alignment/position (p = 0.039), and overall orofacial esthetics (p = 0.039). For the mirrored condition, only tooth form demonstrated a significant difference after adjustment (p = 0.00085). Within each subgroup, mirrored versus non-mirrored comparisons revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05).

Mirrored and non-mirrored presentations of scan-free AI-generated virtual mock-ups showed comparable esthetic self-evaluations. Although laypeople rated esthetics more favorably than dental professionals, these differences were independent of the orientation of the visualization.

This study was not registered as a clinical trial, as it did not involve any therapeutic intervention and was limited to the assessment of esthetic perception using a patient-reported outcome measure.