Colour matching tips by Keating Dental Arts

July 2010

Color matching can be problematic for both dentists and labs. The better the information that is provided to the lab, the better the product you will receive back. Below are a few tips that Keating Dental Arts have kindly provided to help make sure that the best results possible are achieved.

Use black and white photography to show the absolute value of the tooth. Value is 90% of the problem in color matching. Use M tabs from the Vita 3D Shade Guide as a comparison.

The object measured (tooth #7) in the photograph above is slightly darker than the 1M1 shade tab.	The final value of the restorations above (#8, 9) matches the value of tooth #7.

Supplying stump shade photography is very helpful. There are three variables to consider when prescribing all-ceramic restorations: stump color, cement color and the indirect restoration your laboratory makes. Having a clear understanding of these variables will result in a higher quality outcome.

This photo shows the final color that is desired, but also allows the lab technician to see that the underlying tooth structure is about an A3.5 dentin color.	The photo above shows a relatively accurate stump reading, and lets the ceramist know that there is a dark substrate to mask out when making this veneer.

A helpful website to know is www.4theladder.com. This is a useful tool to convey specific components of color terminology in objective terms. These components include translucency, hypocalcifications, surface anatomy/texture, mamelons and internal effects (craze lines etc). The dentist and laboratory technician must both have this tool in order to use it effectively.

For a limited time, Keating Dental Arts are offering e.max restorations for only $119 per unit. Keating Dental Arts can be contacted on 1-800-433-9833.