Role of ambient light in the detection of contrast elements in digital dental radiography.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different ambient light levels on observer detection of small contrast differences in a contrast phantom by using a high-end liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor. Study Design An aluminum step wedge was converted into a contrast phantom by the addition of bore holes. Radiographic images of the contrast elements were presented to 20 observers. Images were displayed in random order under different ambient light levels (0, 50, 200, and 500 lux) twice, and the observers had to determine if contrast elements were visible. Sensitivity and specificity were determined to calculate areas under receiver operating characteristic curves and Friedmann…