This record (a photograph or printed text), along with other details such as shape, can then be analysed by the lab technician during the restorative process so that the final restoration will be as near to as possible, a faithful "copy" of the adjoining teeth in the patients mouth.
Vita Shade Guides
Probably the most well known shade guides are produced by VITA zahnfabrik.
They created the first system back in 1929. Their “Classic V” system has been the
de facto standard for many years. In this image we show their Vita Toothguide 3D.
Other Manufacturers Shade Guides
Manufacturers have their own coloured shade guides (sometimes called tabs).
Each guide is marked with a shade code. Using this code, a cross reference can be
made using manufacturers’ material charts (or chromatic charts) in order
to obtain
the corresponding coloured ceramic or composite material.
Gingiva Shade Guides
The Ivoclar Vivadent gingiva shade guides are used to match gum tissue.
Identifying Shade
We use a traditional technique to manually identify and record the colour of the patient's natural teeth (The
value, chroma, hue,
and translucency).
Communicating Shade
Shade colour can be recorded on laboratory order form. This colour communication record (photograph and/or printed
form) along with other details such as shape, can then be analysed by the lab
technician during the restorative process.
Digital Imaging Systems
Innovations in shade determination are taking the form of
microprocessor
controlled digital imaging systems such
as the DCMikam,
Vita Easyshade, and XRite.
As technology improves many more are coming on the
market.
