- Tooth shade determination should be done before preparation, since after preparation the tooth shade appears lighter due to dehydration.
- IF the patient has been whitening their teeth, shade must be taken 2 weeks after their last whitening treatment.
- Patient should be viewed at eye level so that the most color sensitive part of the retina will be used.
- Lipstick and cosmetics should be removed, and bright clothing covered by a blue bib as the color blue neutralizes the eye.
- Make sure that the surroundings in the operatory are neutral in terms of color.
- Ensure the operator is able to determine color, you should be able to read the number within the dots for full accuracy of shade selection:
- Determine tooth shades as much as possible under natural daylight and daylight lamps (5500K – 6500K), and not under typical indoor lighting conditions. To achieve proper lighting, a handheld color correction light may be used.
- Hold the shade sample tooth end to end to the patient tooth first, then held parallel and as close as possible to the gums to reconfirm color. When possible, review color selection through magnification. *Ensure to access for Value, Hue and Chroma.
- Make your selection quickly. In case of doubt, trust your initial decision as the eye already tires after approx. 5 – 7 seconds.
- Reconfirm Shade selection with Dentist / Instructor. Record information into the patient’s chart.
- Disinfect and / or Sterilize the shade guide every time after performing shade determination as per manufactures guidelines.
Value (lightness) Describes overall intensity to how light or dark a color is. It is the only dimension of color that may exist by itself.
Chroma (Saturation) May be defined as the strength or dominance of the hue. On the outer edge of the hue wheel are the intensely saturated hues. Towards the center of the color wheel, no hue dominates and they become less and less saturated.
Hue Is described with the words we normally think of as describing color: red, purple, blue, etc.
