Comparative Evaluation Of Accuracy And Repeatability Between Digital And Visual Methods Of Shade Matching Using Emax Crowns; An In-Vivo Study

Abstract

Statement of problem: Visual method of shade selection is subjective and a cause of concern for clinicians. Different measurement devices have been developed to assist in shade selection and to achieve acceptable esthetic results. However, there is a lack of consensus to which method of tooth shade selection provides more predictable results.

Purpose: The purpose of this clinical study was to compare the accuracy and repeatability of different visual and digital methods for dental shade matching.

Material and methods:  Visual shade matching was performed using 3D-MASTER with 29 tabs; (VITA Zahnfabrik) without the aid of a light-correcting device and digital method using intraoral scanner (TRIOS; 3Shape A/S). spectrophotometer (VITA Easyshade Advance 4.0; VITA Zahnfabrik) was used as a control in this study for color shade matching. The digital and visual methods were repeated 3 times to determine repeatability. Shade-matching sessions for each method were performed under natural sunlight on the middle third of the maxillary right central incisor of 20 participants. The Chi square test statistical test was used to assess the reliability of each method.

Results: Digital methods were equally accurate to  visual methods. Repeatability variable and lab communication was better with Intraoral Scanner as compared to Visual method of shade selection using 3D MASTER Shade guide.