Dental color standards: shade tab arrangement

J Esthet Restor Dent. 2001;13(4):254-63. doi: 10.1111/j.1708-8240.2001.tb00271.x.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the shade tab arrangement of two popular dental shade guides, suggest possible improvements, and propose clinical guidelines.

Materials and methods: Data were recorded using a colorimeter set to standard illuminant source C and CIE L*a*b* system. The manufacturers' shade tab arrangement as well as the possible improvements in the arrangement of shade tabs of Vitapan Classical and Vitapan 3-D Master (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany) shade guides were examined by regression analysis.

Results: Certain shortcomings in the manufacturers' arrangement of both color standards were observed. The Vitapan 3-D Master arrangement was more consistent, but with a decrease in lightness, tab saturation decreased as well in four of its five groups. When Vitapan Classical and Vitapan 3-D Master tabs were arranged according to deltaE* in relation to the lightest tab, r2 was 0.98 and 0.96, respectively. After dividing the total deltaE* range into four equal segments for the newly established Vitapan Classical guide, r2 was 0.91, 0.95, 0.68, and 0.94, respectively. Corresponding r2 values for Vitapan 3-D Master were 0.96, 0.94, 0.90, 0.94, and 1.0.

Clinical significance: Total color difference in relation to the lightest tab, followed by the tab division into an adequate number of groups, is recommended as a possible and universally applicable mode of tab arrangement in dental color standards.

MeSH terms

  • Calibration
  • Color / standards*
  • Colorimetry
  • Dental Materials / chemistry*
  • Dental Prosthesis Design / instrumentation*
  • Humans
  • Light
  • Regression Analysis

Substances

  • Dental Materials