Comparison of Fixed Prosthesis Shade Match Using a Digital Spectrophotometer

Objectives: The primary objective of replacing a tooth structure is to restore the tooth's form, function, and aesthetics. The present study aims to evaluate and compare the written shade in the prescription form with the actual shade of the final casting restoration received from the dental laboratory using a digital spectrophotometer.
Methods: Over four months, all cases for single fixed prosthodontics were checked, and the requested shade was compared with the final casting restoration shade. The comparison was made using a digital spectrophotometer (VITA Easyshade V). The parameters of the digital shade determination were the average reading (buccal, lingual, and occlusal surfaces) of the final restoration.
Results: Thirty-one samples of different single-fixed prosthetics were collected and analyzed. The sample had mixed types of fixed restoration (One posterior onlay, six anterior crowns, and 24 posterior crowns). The requested materials were Emax and Zirconia, 54.8% and 45.2%, respectively. There was a significant discrepancy between the requested shade and the shade of the received fixed restoration; only 3.2% of the samples had the correct requested shade. All the received Emax restorations had mismatched shade (100%), while Zirconia had 7.1% correct requested shade. The most requested shade was A2 (38.7%), followed by C2 (22.6%). The most mismatched received shade was D2 (43.4%) and D4 (7.5%) for almost all A2 cases, followed by C1 (15.1%) for almost all A1 cases and C2 (9.4%) for several A3 cases.
Conclusions: Within the limitations of the present research, there was a significant difference between the requested and the shade of the final fixed restoration. The discrepancy in shade will lead to dissatisfaction among the patients who always seek better Esthetics.