A Comparative Evaluation of Different Methods for Shade Selection in Fixed Prosthodontics: An In vitro Study

Abstract

Introduction: Aesthetics has gained broad importance over the last few years among dental practitioners and patients. It has become essential for clinicians to match the original shades of the present tooth. Hence, this study evaluated the efficacy of conventional visual shade selection, digital photography and digital shade selection using a device for shade selection in fixed prosthodontics. Materials and Methods: A comparative evaluation of different methods for shade selection in fixed prosthodontics was done using the three different techniques. The three were the conventional visual method, the conventional visual method assisted by digital photography and the conventional visual method assisted electronic shade matching device. In this study, 16 sample sizes were used, as there are 16 tabs in a Vitapan classical shade guide and eight observers. Independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance test was used for this study. Results: The percentages of visual, digital and shade selection done with electronic shade selection devices were 74.2%, 71.1% and 87.5%, respectively. The P = 0.366, which is statistically not significant. Conclusion: There is no significant difference between visual shade selection performed clinically or with digital photographs and shade selection assisted by electronic shade selection devices.