Selección de color dentario: comparación de los métodos visual y espectrofotométrico

Introduction

In cosmetic dentistry the selection of colour can be performed by visual or instrumental methods. The former is subjective, influenced by multiple factors and widely used by dentists, whilst the latter, using a spectrophotometer, is objective and simple but little used.

Objective

To compare the results in the selection of colour by a visual method and using the Easyshade Compact spectrophotometer, to verify whether there are differences between them.

Material and method

A total of 50 dentists, 25 men and 25 women, were asked to select the colour of a healthy anterior tooth using the 3D Master Vitapan, and the results were compared with those obtained when using the Easyshade Compact spectrophotometer. The data obtained were analysed using the Chi-squared statistical test.

Results

The colour obtained by the visual colour selection matched that obtained with spectrophotometer by 18% of dentists. The colour selection by the visual method was different to that obtained with the spectrophotometer for 76% of women and 88% of men.

Conclusions

There are statistically significant differences between the selection of colour with the visual method and with spectrophotometer (P < .0005). Gender does not seem to be a determining factor in the selection of colour (P < .232).