Metameric effect between natural teeth and the shade tabs of a shade guide

A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by John R. Radford.

Abstract

Shade matching should not only be carried out in daylight conditions but under other light sources.

Main

Corcodel N, Helling S et al. Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 311–316

In this study, the tooth colour of 49 teeth was measured and compared with corresponding shade tabs (3D-Master) under 1) reference daylight, 2) incandescent light (light bulb) and 3) store/office light (Philips TL84 cool white fluorescent). The investigators found that colours 'may match when chosen in daylight conditions but may not under other lighting conditions'. The methodology underpinning this study would appear robust. Colours were measured under standardised conditions using an intra-oral spectrophotometer (VITA Easyshade Compact). Colour space values were calculated adopting CIE L^*, a^*, b^*. Differences between tooth and tab colour relative to reference daylight were identified using a modified metamerism index and hue-angle ratio.