Shade Matching in Prosthodontics

Tooth shade selection is a highly complex process that requires an interaction of scientific, physiological, psychological and artistic factors for an accurate outcome. Scientific principles related to light and colour play a key role in determining the tooth shade perceived. However, the perception of colour is dependent upon human vision capabilities which can alter the shade captured by the eyes or its image made in the brain. Artistic qualities of an individual can modify the way a shade is observed. The need is not only to have proper training and setup for the routinely used visual method but also to properly understand the various factors involved and their influence on shade selections. Only in this way one can approach this process not as a mere guess work but as a scientifically and technically selected tooth shade. This can ensure reliable, repeatable and accurate shade matches on a day-to-day basis.