Visual Versus Digital Tooth Color Matching

Objectives: The determination of tooth color plays an important role in order to avoid additional time and extra costs.
The aim of this study was to find out, whether there is a significant difference between visual tooth color matching using template scales and digital tooth color taking by applying electronic devices.
Methods: 51 preclinical students of dentistry of the dental schools in Berlin, Leipzig, Greifswald, Dresden and Olomouc (male=13, female=38, average age 24) participated in this study. All participants trained analog tooth color matching using Toothguide Trainer, TT, and Toothguide Training Box, TTB. Following they determined tooth color at tooth 11, FDI-position, always the same proband, by using VITA Vitapan classical color scale, VITA 3D-Master color scale as well as VITA Easyshade V.
Results: The statistical evaluation revealed 51 times the choice 1M1 at 3D-Master analog, 36 times 1M1 and 15 times 2M1 3D-Master digital; Classical twice A1 and 49 times B1 analog as well as 10 times A1 and 41 times B1 digital.
Regarding lightness as main criteria, this results in total values of 4418.13 3D-Master analog, 4344.78 3D-Master digital, 4364.38 Classical analog as well as 4359.50 Classical digital.
At mean values of 86.63 analog 3D-Master, 85.19 digital 3D-Master, 85.57 analog Classical and 85.48 classical digital, these minor differences are not statistically significant.
Looking at the Easyshade findings, the differences result from minor position deviations when placing the measuring tip of the Easyshade.
Conclusions: Comparing trained probands, performing exercises with TT and TTB, at visual tooth color matching to the results of digital measuring devices, there is no evidence of difference in testing clientele.
Due to the limitation of this study, analog tooth color determination may be as successful as the digital one.