1. Shade Matching in Restorative Dentistry voluMe Iv
A key aspect in the ultimate success
of a dental restoration, especially in
the esthetic zone, lies in achieving
accurate shade matching. A vital
tooth is both naturally translucent
and transparent, and it is crucial to
understand the intrinsic difference
between the tooth and dental
porcelain for optimal results.
Disimilar from a natural tooth,
dental porcelain has opaque
properties, thus reflecting and
absorbing but not transmitting
light. There are three main areas
that directly affect shade matching:
the light source, the environment
and the doctor or clinician. The
pure reliance on matching to a
shade tab is insufficient for proper
shade matching. >>

2. Shade Matching In Restorative Dentistry Increa
Shade Matching in Restorative Dentistry:
Light Source
The light source will dramatically affect shade.
The operatory light should not be pointed
directly at the patient. Key aspects of ideal light
for shade matching include:
• Indirect lighting with fluorescent bulbs
at 5500 Kelvin color temperature
• Color corrected with a full visible
spectra range
• Enough intensity to eliminate ambient light, • Always have a shade tab in the photo so
but not so strong as to mask the the technician can compare the difference
color differences in the Value and Chroma and make the
needed adjustments.
• Pleasant to the eye in order to deter fatigue
• Use a camera with a macro lens and ring
• Consistent in that it does not change flash. This will allow you to get a closer and
depending on time of day or location more detailed photo without having the
flash alter the shade.
The Environment
From floor to ceiling, the entire room or setting
should have a neutral light gray background,
not white. A patient’s lipstick, clothing, and
Definitions
clinical drape also can adversely affect the color Chroma: the purity of a color. High
perception. If needed, use a blue bib to relax chroma colors look rich and full. Low
your eyes. chroma colors look dull and grayish.
Sometimes chroma is called saturation.
Using Photos Value: Value, or lightness, varies vertically
Photographs are not accurate or sufficient in along the color solid, from black (value 0)
color replication, but they can be useful for at the bottom, to white (value 10) at the
determining gradation and characterization. To top. Neutral grays lie along the vertical
achieve the optimal results, the following steps axis between black and white
Billy Schrader, CDT
should be followed:
Crown & Bridge Technician
Billy Schrader is a Certified
Dental Technician with
over 19 years of dental lab
experience. He is an expert
in crown and bridge as well
as ceramics.
6015 Benjamin Road | Suite 310 | Tampa, Florida 33634
877-337-7800 | www.DDSLab.com

3. ase the esthetic success of dental restorations voluMe Iv
Additional Tips
• If your camera doesn’t have a ring flash, have the patient sit • Diagrams should be used. A facial view of the clinical crown
up with their chin slightly tucked in. This will help keep the is used to indicate the position of the various shades, while
flash from reflecting in the picture. a proximal view shows the technician how the body and
enamel porcelains should be layered.
• Use a room with some natural light if possible and avoid
pointing any light directly toward the patient. • The amount of reduction is the most important factor
in creating esthetic restorations. 1.5mm - 2.0mm is
• It is important that color selection is done when the patient recommended in order to have adequate porcelain
is first seated in the dental chair as Chroma and Value can thickness for proper shade matching.
change due to minor dehydration after the patient’s mouth
has been open for a period of time. Studies show that teeth • The 5 Second Rule - limit viewing to 5 seconds, as eye
can take more than 24 hours to return to their natural state. fatigue will set in. Your initial decision is usually the most
Additionally, there is less chance for optical fatigue. accurate.
• The patient should be reclined at a 45% angle with the
patient’s mouth level with the dentist’s eyes. Shade guide
tabs should be applied parallel to the tooth, never in front or
back.
Color perception
Color perception varies from fractionally to drastically by
individual depending on their vision. Women are far less likely
(.5%) to be color blind than men (8%). All doctors and technicians
should take a color vision deficiency test such as Ishihara or
Farnworth Lantern annually as vision can change.
This is a sample of the Ishihara Color Test for red-green color deficiencies.
It was named after its designer, Dr. Shinobu Ishihara, a professor at the
University of Tokyo, who first published his tests in 1917.
Need an expert’s advice? We’re available for a
consultation on your cases. Call us at 877-337-7800.
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