Lec 10

Crown & Bridge

Shade Selection (Matching) in Fixed
Prosthodontics

By: Dr. Mohammed Muataz

Dr. Cube I Fifth Stage I 2024

 Shade Selection (Matching) in Fixed Prosthodontics
Matching two objects that reflect similar color (wavelengths of
electromagnetic spectrum).

Shade Selection in Fixed Prosthodontics:

Process of replicating the color of the adjacent teeth in an
artificial prosthesis. The success of dental treatments as
perceived by our patients is often evaluated on appearance,
rather than long-term health, function and comfort. Everyone, it
seems, is primarily interested in color, Color is light, modified by
an object as perceived by an eye”.
Color that is perceived is the result of a light source, the object
that absorbs, transmits, reflects or scatters the light from the
source, and the interpretation of the result by the human visual
system. Without Light Color Does Not Exist

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 Color & Light
▪ The color of an object is determined by the light that
enters the human eye from that object.
▪ What is commonly called "the color of a tooth" is actually
the color of the reflected light.

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So, what is light?
Light is a Form of visible energy that is part of the radiant energy
spectrum. Radiant energy possesses specific wavelengths, which
may be used to identify the type of energy. The eye is only
sensitive to the visible portion of the spectrum (380 – 750nm)
Different wavelengths constitute the different colors we perceive.

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▪ Human eye is only sensitive to the visible portion of the
radiant spectrum energy.
▪ When Pure White Light passed through a prism we see
component colors of white light.
▪ Shorter wavelengths bend more than longer wavelengths.

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 Color Mixture

▪ Primary colors
- Red, green, blue.
▪ Additive mixture system
- Mixing of two of the light mixture primary colors produce a new color.
- Red + blue = magenta Red + green = yellow Green + blue = cyan.
▪ Pigment mixture system
- Yellow, cyan, magenta

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 Color Mixture
How To Describe Color In Words?
Albert Munsell, felt a need to describe the colors of his sketches in
definite terms to his students. This led to the development of the
Munsell Color System, which is presently a widely used visual color
order system. He described three dimensions of color as hue,
chroma, and value. It is possible to vary each of these qualities
without disturbing the other. The ability to understand each of
these dimensions and separate them from one another is
fundamental to an understanding of color as it relates to dentistry

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 Color Mixture

Munsell Color System (visual color order system )

Used to describe a definite color system in a visual order system.

Munsell define three dimension or qualities for color:

1. Hue.
2. Chroma.
3. Value.

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 Color Mixture
1. Hue
Quality by which we distinguish one color family from
another ( variety of color ). We have ten hue color families:

1. R-red 6. BG-bluegreen
2. YR-yellowgreen 7. B-blue
3. Y-yellow 8. PB-purpleblue
4. GY-greenyellow 9. P-purple
5. G-green 10.RP-redpurple.

Each of these ten hues is further subdivided into ten

numbered segments. The middle red would thus be 5R.

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 Color Mixture

2. Chroma
Quality of color by which we distinguish a strong color
from a weak one (the intensity or saturation of hue).
The degree of departure of a color sensation from that
of white or gray ; the intensity of a distinctive hue, color
intensity _ Range= 0 – 12.

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 Color Mixture

3. Value
Quality by which we distinguish a light color from a dark
one or the relative brightness of object (lightness or
darkness), range from zero to ten, black is zero(0) and white
is ten (10). The value of a color is determined by which one
of the grays it matches on the scale. Colors with low value
numbers are termed dark colors, and one with high value
numbers are called light colors. A black-and-white television
tube emits only a range of values 9.

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 Color Mixture

3. Value
Value is generally considered to be the most important of the
three dimensions of color:
• One reason is that lightness and darkness differences are
readily detected by individuals untrained in color perception.
• Another reason is that value differences are more easily
detected at a variety of viewing distances (both close-up and at
a distance), whereas differences in hue and chroma become
more difficult to quantify as the viewing distance increases.

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Color Mixture

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 Color Mixture

Color of Human Teeth

Dr. E. B. Clark was the first to accurately describe the color of
teeth. In 1931, he reported his color data from a visual analysis
of 6000 teeth from 1000 patients over an 8-year period
( Hue range from 6YR to 9.3Y )
( Value range of 4 to 8 )
( Chroma range from 0 to 7 )

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 Factors Influence the Apparent Color of an Object (Teeth)
1) Nature of Light
We have three light source Incandescent Light, Fluorescent Light
and Natural Daylight. Most dental offices are outfitted with
incandescent and fluorescent lights.
Incandescent Light Emits high concentration of yellow waves
matching.
While, Fluorescent Light Emits high concentration of blue waves
Both of two Not suitable for shade matching.
Chair light not recommended for colour matching as it is over
powering and interferes with fine discrimination of three
dimensions of colour
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 Factors Influence the Apparent Color of an Object (Teeth)
1) Nature of Light
Natural Daylight considered the best Closest to emitting the
full spectrum of white light Used as the standard by which to
judge other light sources. At Morning and evening light
spectrum rich in yellow/orange, lacks blue/green because
shorter wavelengths scatter before penetrating atmosphere,
While. At Mid-day time (Hours around noon) where Full
spectrum of colors visible consider ideal time for color
matching.

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 Factors Influence the Apparent Color of an Object (Teeth)

2) Physical Properties of Object

When light strikes an object, and according to the physical
properties some wavelengths are absorbed by the object,
while other transfer throw it, the remaining are reflected
,color of an object – light that is actually reflected by the
object. True color characteristic and appearance of depth
translucency in a natural tooth cannot be correctly perceived
unless the tooth is free of plaque and surface stains.

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 Factors Influence the Apparent Color of an Object (Teeth)

2) Physical Properties of Object

With increasing opacity of teeth the grey scale value
decreases and the brightness (value) increases, The Higher
the brightness (values) the lower the transparency becomes.
The more transparent a tooth the more grey it appears.

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 Factors Influence the Apparent Color of an Object (Teeth)
Opal Effect (Opalescence)
Fine particles in enamel (hydroxyapatite crystals) responsible
for opal effect Fine particles reflect short wavelengths and
allow longer wavelengths to pass through. Hence areas within
a tooth or a restoration with higher translucency will have a
lower value because light transilluminates through and away
from the viewer. When evaluating enamel translucency, the
observer will often focus on the opalescent blue areas that is
why Translucent areas of the teeth appear grey while opaque
incisal edge appears white.

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 Factors Influence the Apparent Color of an Object (Teeth)
Hence tooth shows
• Bluish areas in reflected light
• Orange red areas in transmitted areas
Tooth must be kept moist during shade selection. The color
environment surrounding an object influences our color
perception of the tooth significantly (gum, lip color and
color behind the object).
The Gumy gingival mask (color contractor) was developed
to neutralize the influence of the color environment on our
color perception during visual shade selection.

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 Factors Influence the Apparent Color of an Object (Teeth)
Metemerism
Phenomenon occurring when the color of the two objects
appear to match under one lighting source but not under a
different source.
▪ Clinical significance of Metemerism
Tooth & crown restorative material of a differing shade
may appear matched under certain light conditions , but
may show discrepancy in day light, that is why , shade
selection must be evaluate under multiple light sources
(different light sources).

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 Factors Influence the Apparent Color of an Object (Teeth)

3) Subjective Assessment of Observer

The light first penetrates a layer of nerve fibers, then passes
through several layers of cells, and finally reaches the rods and
cones, which are embedded underneath.
The rods and cones of the retina form the chief component of
the retinal receptor complex. The rods detect only lightness
and darkness (value). The cones perceive the chromatic
aspects of an object (hue and chroma) .In Color –Deficient
person which is Defect in color vision attack 8% males and
0.5% females ,Several variations exist.

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Achromatism – complete lack of hue sensitivity.
Dichromatism – sensitivity to two primary hues
Anomalous Trichromatism – sensitivity to all three hues, with
abnormality in retinal cones affecting one of primary pigments.
Dentists should have their color vision evaluated. If any
deficiency is detected, a dentist should seek assistance when
selecting tooth shades

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 Shade Selection Methods
Traditional shade taking involves matching one or more selected
colors from a range of shade tabs to the teeth adjacent or
contralateral to the teeth to be restored. This serves as a guide
to the lab technician fabricating the crown or the bridge. i.e it is
Process of replicating of the color of the adjacent teeth in an
artificial prosthesis.

We have different methods for shade selection:

1) Visual shade matching.
2) Instrumental color analysis (Digital shade-scanning devices).

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 1) Visual Shade Matching
Visual shade selection by comparison of a patient’s tooth with a
color standard (i.e. commercially available shade guide) .A Dental
Shade Guide is a set of simulated teeth used to select prosthetic
teeth by color.Shade guide are Examples of various color
combinations available from manufacturers of denture teeth,
restorative resins and porcelains. These samples are compared
with the natural teeth and the closest color match is determined.

Most commonly use shade guide in fixed prosthodontics:

a) Vita Classic Shade Guide.
b) Vita-3D –Master shade guide.
c) VITA Linearguide 3D-MASTER.

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 1) Visual Shade Matching
Principles of Shade Selection
1. Teeth to be matched must be clean & moist.
2. Remove bright colors from field of view
- makeup / tinted eye glasses
- bright gloves.
- neutral operatory walls
3. View patient at eye level.
4. Evaluate shade under multiple light sources.
5. Make shade comparisons at beginning of appointment
6. Shade comparisons should be made quickly to avoid eye fatigue.

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 1) Visual Shade Matching
Principles of Shade Selection

7. Selection distance- a selection made at 3-6 feet from the

oral cavity is often more useful, since it is representative
of the conditions under which the patient teeth will most
often be observed.
8. Use of color Contrastors ; The color environment play
important role in our color perception of the grey tooth
significantly

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 1) Visual Shade Matching
Principles of Shade Selection

9. Shade tap position; Shade tap should be held above the

mand tooth or Below the max tooth to be match and
aligned as close as possible to the plane of orientation of
the facial surface Of the tooth being matched. Holding
the shade tab over the a tooth can give a false
impression of the color as the background of the tab is
the tooth color rather than the oral.

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 1) Visual Shade Matching
a) Vita Classic Shade Guide
Very popular shade guide, Tabs of similar hue are clustered
into letter groups:
A (red-yellow) , B (yellow) , C (grey) , D (red-yellow-gray)

How to use Vita Classic Shade Guide

Manufacturer recommended sequence for shade matching as
follow:
1. Hue Selection
2. Chroma Selection.
3. Value Selection: Because value level is not involve in this
shade guide, Use of second, value ordered shade guide is
recommended (Value oriented shade guide).
4. Final Check / Revision.v

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 Value oriented shade guide
B1, A1, B2, D2, A2, C1, C2, D4, A3, D3, B3, A3.5, B4, C3, A4, C4,
(bright >>>>>>>>>>>>decrease>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> dark)

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 1) Visual Shade Matching
b) Vita-3D –Master shade guide
More precise shade guide, tooth color divided into 5 level of
value, for each value group deviation from medium hue
towards yellow or red. In the medium (M) hue there are
three levels of color samples for the chroma , deviation
toward more yellowish hues (L) or more reddish hue (R) exist
in 2 chroma.

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 1) Visual Shade Matching
How to use Vita-3D –Master shade guide
Step 1 Determine the lightness level (value).Hold shade
guide to patient’s mouth and start with darkest group
moving to left. Select Value group 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5

Step 2 Select the chroma from From your selected Value

group, remove the middle tab (M) and spread the samples
out like a fan Select one of the three shade samples to
determine chroma.

Step 3 Determine the hue and Check whether the natural

tooth is more yellowish or more reddish than the shade
sample selected

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 1) Visual Shade Matching
c) VITA Linearguide 3D-Master Shade Guide
The all-new VITA 3D-Master Linearguide enables the quick
determination of precise tooth shades and uses the same
scientific principles and 29 shades found in the popular VITA
3D-Master shade guide. The Linearguide features a sleeker,
linear design that makes the process of precise shade
determination even faster and easier. In two simple steps the
final shade is achieved, first by selecting from five value tabs,
then by choosing the proper mix of chroma and hue within
the selected value range.

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 1) Visual Shade Matching
With the VITA Linearguide 3D-MASTER you can determine the
correct tooth shade swiftly and accurately.The modern design
and systematic structure of the VITA Linearguide enable the
appropriate 3D-MASTERshade to be found quickly.
Shade taking in two steps:
Step 1: Remove the VITA Valueguide 3D-MASTER from the top of
the Linearguide. The correct degree of lightness can now be
determined by removing the Valueguide. Make an initial choice
using the Valueguide. In doing so, you determine the correct
degree of lightness 0 to5.
Step 2: Make a detailed choice within the determined degree of
lightness from step 1 using the corresponding VITA
Chroma/Hueguide.

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 Photography & shade matching
▪ Consider as effective technique for shade matching.
▪ Photography greatly simplifies the shade taking process,
particularly for treatment in the aesthetic zone; providing
the ceramist with a “palate” of shades rather than trying to
match a single shade.(technicians need more information
than just a single shade tab.
▪ A shade tab with the shade that is closest to the shade of the
tooth is placed next to the tooth in question and is
photographed with the tooth.
▪ If needed, several photographs can be taken with different
shade tabs.
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 2) Instrumental Color Analysis (Digital Shade-Scanning Devices)
To be able to take the color with objective methods, there
are nowadays Digital devices that available that can be used
to select the teeth shade.
The advantages of a digital shade-matching system include
objective readings and accuracy.

There are several devices some of them are

colorimeters,spectrophotometers, digital color analyzers
and hybrid instruments, which combine all technologies.
These are electronic instruments to facilitate the taking of
color in a reliable, accurate and repeatable way fordifferent
professionals.

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 2) Instrumental Color Analysis (Digital Shade-Scanning Devices)
There are two types of digital shade-matching devices
commonly used in dentistry: the spectrophotometer and
the colorimeter.

Colorimeters are objectively measuring instruments of

color which have a light source and a small tip to make it
possible to take color in several areas of the same tooth.

Spectrophotometers are the instruments that currently

have more precision in color taking. These measure the
color by emitting a defined light. In addition, they have the
ability to measure the reflection of a color by translating it
to numerical values, which are interpreted.

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 2) Instrumental Color Analysis (Digital Shade-Scanning Devices)

The spectrophotometer consistently and accurately measures

natural tooth coloration in reference to any known specific
color or can be based on any shading system. It measures the
color characteristics of the natural tooth precisely and
scientifically, indicating the deviations and gradations of value,
chroma, and hue from a standard and provides all the
information that is necessary to create an accurate restoration,
or to modify an existing one such that it will accurately match
the tooth.

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 2) Instrumental Color Analysis (Digital Shade-Scanning Devices)

Spectrophotometer develops an accurate interpretation

of the tooth shade on a given color system, which can then
be related to an existing shade tab within dentistry or to a
color that is interpolated between the shade tabs. In
either case a lab technician is given all the color clues to
recreate a shade that is very natural in appearance and
very close to the target coloration.

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 2) Instrumental Color Analysis (Digital Shade-Scanning Devices)

The colorimeter analyzes the tooth coloration based on

preloaded data that is related to a shade system. It determines
the shade tab that is closest to the actual color of the tooth.
The colorimeter is typically less accurate than the
spectrophotometer but may suffice in most dental situations.
Because both spectrophotometers and colorimeters tend to
eliminate ambient light by standardizing the immediate
environs of the target tooth, the shade can be taken in any
operatory with any kind of lighting streaming in through the
window.

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 2) Instrumental Color Analysis (Digital Shade-Scanning Devices)

Digital shade taking therefore is far easier, far more practical,

and far more accurate than shade taking using color tabs and
the naked eye in avariable environment. The key difference
between the two is that the spectrophotometer measures the
transmittance and reflectance as a function of wavelength,
whereas the colorimeter measures the absorbance of specific
colors.

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 2) Instrumental Color Analysis (Digital Shade-Scanning Devices)

The current best approach to shade taking is the spectrophotometer. It

provides the most accurate method for matching the coloration of the
tooth. Some systems provide readings of translucence and reflectivity as
well. Spectrophotometers provide consistent shade measurement
regardless of the environment, lighting conditions, or other operatory
variables including the dental team member who is conducting the shade-
taking process. With some systems, a further comparative analysis can be
undertaken on shade scans taken before and after treatment to provide
the color difference between the two measurements. This is particularly
useful for tooth-whitening procedures.

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 2) Instrumental Color Analysis (Digital Shade-Scanning Devices)
An example of digital shade scanning devices
a) VITA EASYSHADE
b) VITA EASYSHADE COMPACT
c) MHT SPECTROSHADE SYSTEM

Instructions for using digital shade scanning devices

▪ Tooth should be clean & free of debris.
▪ Need to hold probe perpendicular to tooth.
▪ There is variation in the color depending on where the probe is
located.
▪ Tip centered (1 – 2 mm from gingiva and incisal edge) or do 3
zones (gingival, middle, and incisal).

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 Cynovad Shadescan

The system is user friendly and is integrated with

computed-aided design and manufacturing
(CAD/CAM)technologies. The shade is measured by a
handheld optical device from a single image of the whole
tooth at the click of a button. The dentist can instantly
obtain a shade map of the whole tooth with various
established and popular shade systems.

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