The Importance of Three-Dimensional Thinking and Mental Rotation Skills in the Dentistry Profession

ABSTRACT The success of treatment in the dentistry profession is closely related to three-dimensional thinking skills and the development of these skills. In order for dentists to make the correct diagnosis and correct treatment planning on the way to the right treatment, three-dimensional mental description skills and mental rotation performances are very important, accompanied by analytical thinking skills. Today, the presence of patients who are more conscious and have aesthetic concerns at the forefront than in previous years requires higher performance in all dentistry fields such as oral surgery, radiology, pedodontics, orthodontics, periodontology, prosthesis, endodontics and restorative treatment. In this direction, the dentist's ability to make quick decisions under the umbrella of analytical thinking can only be achieved if it is supported by three-dimensional thinking and mental rotation skills. This review has been prepared in order to raise awareness, since there are not enough studies on the mentioned aspects of the subject in the existing literature and it is an important issue concerning human health.

Key words: Skill, dentistry, mental rotation