Shade determination

The correct tooth shade is the basis for true-to-nature restorations. After tooth cleaning, the tooth shade of the non-prepared tooth and/or the adjacent teeth is determined. Individual characteristics have to be considered when determining the tooth shade. If a crown preparation is planned, for example, the cervical shade should also be determined. In order to achieve as lifelike results as possible, shade determination should be carried out at daylight. Furthermore, the patient should not wear clothes of intensive colours and/or lipstick.
Basically, it has to be kept in mind that the final shade of the restoration is the result of the following individual shades:

• Shade of the prepared tooth
• Shade of the block/ingot
• Shade of the layering ceramic
• Shade of the cementation material