Shade Matching

Traditional shade matching is based on a dentist and/or staff member looking at a tooth and a shade guide. There have been advances in these guides including the Vident 3D Master Shade and such systems as “The Ladder”. Some offices send patients directly to the dental lab, assuming the technician has a better eye for color. Of course in the lab, some are equipped to do custom staining and continual tryins, or one lab I have come across sends a person to the dental office complete with stains, glazes and oven.

Photography has been very helpful. The Polaroid has been excellent in taking photos of teeth along with shade guides due to the consistent color of the film. Digital photography has made this easy, however there are inconsistencies with printers and monitors in displaying the colors. The constant in these methods is the relative color shown in the images. This allows a better method for the dentist to explain if a tooth is a “little lighter or darker” than the shade guide. There is software (Clear Match) that can color correct the digital images as well as calibration tools that correct the monitors (ColorVision- Spyder).

Still it is subjective which is strange in a world where you can bring a paint sample to a hardware store and get a precise match with the use of a color match device. Sophisticated sensors can read the colors and give a digital analysis and copy the colors. This technology has been made to fit in small wands that can be used intraorally. The lab is given a precise color from various shade guides that they can match. In addition, if the lab has a shade unit, they can check the crown before it is returned to the office.

There are several systems available using colorimeters, spectrophotometers and even artificial vision that accomplish the task. Maps can be complex showing a psychedelic array of colors, or simple with overall averages or colors of various spots on the tooth. The information can be transmitted to the labs by printouts, disks/memory sticks or even emailed. The systems range from $4,000-6,000.

Cynovad Shade Scan

Vita Easy Shade

Shofu Shade Eye

Allows points on the tooth to be measured. Prints out the precise porcelain formuation fo the lab

X-Rite Shade Vision

Uses a system similar to commercial paint color matching in automobiles and paint stores. Very accurate with excellent software.

MHT Specctroshade

Uses a spectrophotometer for shade analysis

Ikam Digital Shade Analysis - Metalor

Other:

Clear Match (digital photograph analysis)

Software that allows the practitioner to send a digital photo to the lab. Clearmatch will color correct the image and map it just using software.

Kerr Shade Wand (color corrected light)

A handheld device that displays color corrected light over the patient’s mouth to allow the practitioner to take an accurate shade with traditional shade guides. Elimiantes interference from room lighting, wall colors, etc.