CUSTOM SHADE TABS

using a fine-line permanent ink marker (Fig. 5). The SUMMARY

tabs may then be stored in a section of the original shade A technique for fabrication of custom shade tabs in
guide (Fig. 6). If the manufacturer’s box for storing the tooth form has been presented. The finished product will
material is appropriate from which to work, slots may be a series of custom shade tabs. Any temporary
be prepared to hold the tabs using a No. 558 bur (provisional) resin material can be used.
(Fig. 7).
If combinations of shades are created they should be
done using an easily reproducible ratio (Yz to % or % to
1/3)and labeled accordingly. Have a small scoop available
to measure the ratio each time.

Esthetic matching
Jack H. Swepston, D.D.S.,* and Amp W. Miller III, D.D.S.**
Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, Tex.

T he literature is replete with discussions of color.

Billions of dollars are spent on the merchandizing of
natural tooth but that a multitude of factors influence the
selection of a specific shade.
color in clothes and cosmetics. Color is a phenomenon The existence of different shade guides and pro-
that affects all aspects of living from house paint to the grammed aids does not necessarily indicate that an
coding of hand instruments. acceptable shade selection can be performed. Rather, the
A few articles and books have attempted to make the factors that influence the selection of shade must be
dentist’s shade selection or esthetic matching an easier, understood.
more predictable procedure.‘-’ Preston and Bergen” The type of illumination that is directed on the tooth
wrote an excellent self-instructional manual to address or the patient’s face and the shade guide used are critical
the problem of color selection for teeth. However, many factors. Different types of materials reflect illumination
dentists/students are confused by the numerous factors differently.
that influence esthetics. The ability of the eye to formulate specific images
A chart (Fig. 1) was devised to assist the education of varies physiologically from one person to another. The
dental students in esthetic matching. Practicing dentists process of color selection is complicated because one
may also appreciate the chart as a useful review that will person’s brain must translate and communicate the
benefit their patients. The chart permits the reader to determinants to another person. However, training and
view the panorama at a glance and thus relate the diverse experience are essential to the interpretation of eye
factors. It is also intended to stimulate further interest imagery. The recipient of information must interpret
and study in color interpretation. what the communicator/translator has recorded in writ-
ing, pictures, drawings, casts, and photographs.
ESTHETIC MATCHING Last, the performer must be a resourceful individual
The art and science of esthetic matching has been who can interpret the transmition of data. He must be
divided into six parts of equal importance. In examining capable of formulating a mental image relayed to his
a specific segment, the influencing factors are listed. The hands so that this information can be transformed into
reference factors have been gleaned from the referenced an actual product. When the product is returned to the
articles and texts, which contain a more comprehensive patient and dentist, the result must be a reasonable
appraisal of the contributing items.‘.” esthetic representation that satisfies the needs of the
Fig. 1 does not merely suggest that an artificial tooth is patient and dentist.
positioned against the patient’s face or adjacent to the
SUMMARY
*Clinical Professor, Fixed Prosthodontic Department. A chart that allows the reader to appreciate the diverse
**Clinical Associnte Professor, Fixed Prosthodontir Department. factors involved in esthetic matching has been presented.

THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY 623

 Cloud

p/f-.$ &
~~~-~~~~~~=~~
.

=A IP

m STIMULUS m OBJECT -RECEPTOR - INTERPRETOR B TRANSLATOR m PERFORMER -

Physical Physical Psychophysical Psychological Psychological Psychophysical
Objective Objective Objective-Subjective Subjective Subjective Subjective -Objective

Spectral Energy Distribution’ x Spectral reflectance x Spectral Response = Stimulus for color
l Color temperature (“K) l Absorption l Cones - (34K) in fovea l Experience - l Experience * l Experience
l Candle - lOOO”K l Transmission Centralis l Memory * l Memory - l Memory

l Incandescent - 2OMYK l Dimensions of COIOI l Colors - blue, green, red l Terminology - l Terminology - l Terminology
l Fluorescent l Hue . Rods - 19:1, periphery for value l Communication - l Communication - l Communication
l Daylight - 3000’K l Chroma - squinting l Diagnostic casts *Rx l Ability
l Cwl white - 4000OK l Value l Age 8 time of day l Pre-operative wax-up l Name l Dexterity
l Color corrected - 5.f,OOO”K 9 Metamerism . Viewing time-less than 5 sec. l Modified Shade Tab l sex, age l Desire
l Sunlight l Texture l Hue adaptation (fatigue) l Photos l Type of restoration l Materials
l Average - S@XY’K l Form l Hue sensitivity (negative after- l Type of materials l Equipment
. Bright blue - 6CKKtOK l Color image) l Basic shade l Condensation technique
l Lightly overcast - 70tX°K Additive I” . Trichromatic vision (normal) l Opaque l Capillary attraction
l Hazy sky - BCCO’=K Red, green, biue l Monochromatic (total color l Body l Brush
l Heavy overcast - lO,OC@‘K Additive IIn blindness) l Enamel l Ceramisonic
l Black light - 20,CCG°K cyan, magenta, yellow l Color weak (confusion) l Texture
l Spectral curve Subtractive lo l Protanomalous l Glaze
l Spectral reflectance curve of cyan, magenta, yellow l Deuteranomalous l Pre or post solder
“standard daylight” is a slightly Subtractive II0 l Color blind’ l Thermal history
overcast sky in Washington, Green, red, blue l Protanopes
DC. from 12-1 PM in month of Partitive l Deuteranopes
June. Color ordering l Tritanopes
l Varies in daylight with hour, l Munsell . Pseudoixrhromatic tests
season, cloud cover, l C.I.E. . Hues appear more intense with
atmapheric pollution. ChSS complimentary, neutral, or dark
l Plots relative energy vs. Refraction backgrounds
wavelength (nm) Background including
l Color rendering index (CR0 uniforms & drapes
i l Includes value from “equal . Ceiling value - 9+ &
energy point” of 100 white Jack H. Swepston, D.D.S., F.A.C.D., F.I.C.D.
0 Clinical Professor
(algebraically derived) 9 Walls & cabinets -
=: l Direction of light . Value-more than 7 Department of Fixed Prosthodontics
z l Quantity of light l Chroma-less than 4 Baylor College of Dentistry 19B4
. lo’ x 10’ xB’ operatov requires l countertops -
requires 150 ft. candles or l Value-more than 7
three 2’ x4’ fluorescent tube l Chroma-less than 6
s
fixtures
.z
Visual representation of six factors involved in esthetic matching. Process begins in upper left corner with
light source, or stimulus, and progresses to right. Laboratory technician, or perfornier, is affected by all interacting
factors as chain of events proceeds to right. Success or failure with various esthetic materials, especially ceramics,
depends on operator’s understanding of physical and psychologic aspects of esthetic matching. Many factors involved
in achieving accurate color match are listed under the various categories.
ESTHETIC MATCHING

Although substantial information is presented in the 6. Lynn DB: The Relationship between Health and Esthetics in

chart, it is incomplete; and future research will contrib- (Gingival Tissue. In Baum L, editor: Advanced Restorative
Dentistry. Philadelphia, 1973, WB Saunders Co, chap 19.
ute additional information. The chart is not intended as 7. hIcLean JW: The Science and Art of Dental Ceramics. Chicago,
a substitute for learning, but a stimulus to further 1979, Quintessence Publishing Co, vol I.
study. 8. hIcLean JW: The Science and Arc of Dental Ceramics. Chicago,
1980. Quintessence Publishing Co, vol II.
Grateful appreciation is extended to Elizabeth Sims of the Media 9. Sproull RC: Color matching in dent+: Fart I. .J PRo5THE.I
Resources Unit for her assistance with the graphics. DENT 29:416, 1973.
10. Sproull RC: Color mawhing in dentistry: Part 11. J ~ROST~IKI
REFERENCES DENT 29:556, 1973.
11. Sproull RC: Color matching in dentistrv: Part III. J PRovHw
1. Clark EB: An analysis of tooth color. J Am Dent Assoc 18:2093,
DENT 31:146, 1974.
1931.
12. Preston ,JD, Bergen SF: Color Science and Dental Art. St. Louis,
2. Clark EB: Tooth color selection. J Am Dent Assoc 20~1065,
1980, The CV RI&y Co.
1933.
3. Clark EB: Selection of tooth color for the edentulous patienL.
J Am Dent Assoc 35:787. 1947.
4. Lemire PA, Burk B: Color in Dentistry. Bloomfield, Corm, 1975,
JM Ney Co.
5. Lombardi RE: The principles of visual perception and their
applicawn to complete denture esthetics. J PROSTHET DEKI
29:358, 1973.

Effects of batch variation on shade of dental porcelain

Nasser Barghi, D.D.S.,* Jose Arturo Femandez Pedrero, C.D.,** and
Rogelio Rey Bosch, C.D., M.S.C.***
University of Texas Health Science Center, Dental School, San Antonio, Tex., and National University of Mexico,
School of Dentistry, Mexico City, Mexico

M any factors influence the shade of porcelain used

in ceramometal restorations.‘.’ Although recent improve-
trol on the materials provided by manufacturers. There
are three factors that affect the color of porcelain
ments have been made in the mechanical properties of restorations.
porcelain, color matching remains a problem. 1. The clinician factor includes subjectivity in obtain-
Dental ceramists have a unique position between ing suitable shades from the natural dentition,’ difficulty
dentists and porcelain manufacturers. Without accessto in supplying technicians with the acceptable shade,
the patient, they must rely on information provided by specific tooth characterization, limitations of available
the clinicians. Work authorizations for ceramometal shade guides, and the effects of metamerism.’
restorations are seldom accompanied by specific infor- 2. The technician factor includes poor selection of
mation about the shade. They often lack a diagram, materials, hasty preparation of alloy, weak condensa-
shade buttons, description of incisal translucency, gingi- tion, improper thickness of porcelain, a.nd incomplete
val color, and other individual characteristics. Despite firing and glazing.’
hasty, incomplete prescriptions, dental ceramists have 3. The manufacturer factor includes inadequate
improved communications with dentists regarding cera- shade guides, inappropriate particle size and shape,
mometal restorations. However, they have limited con- excessive oxidation, and incompatible chemical proper-
ties of products.4’5
This study determined the effect of various batches of
*Professor and Head, Division of Occlusion, Department of Restor- porcelain on the shade of three porcelain-bonded-to-
ative Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, Dental metal systems.
School.
**Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, National University of MATERIAL AND METHODS
Mexico, School of Dentistry.
***Professor and Head, Department of Postgraduate Studies, Nation- Thirty-six square specimens, 15 X 15 mm, were pre-
al University of Mexico, School of Dentistry. pared from acetal plastic (Temporary Splint Material,

THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY 625