Purpose: To compare spectrophotometric vs. visual color identification of tooth shade on the basis of three different commercially available shade guides.
Methods: On 54 subjects, two operators (with >10 years experience) independently selected the best match of the middle third of one of the patient's upper central incisors, using consecutively three shade guides (Vita Lumin Vacuum, Chromascop, Vita 3D Master). After each individual shade match, the same operator performed a shade measurement with a SpectroShade spectrophotometer.
Results: The Vita Lumin shade guide appeared to provide the most consistent results between human and spectrophotometrical evaluation, although Vita 3D Master offered a greater variety of colors. In approximately 47% of the cases, the spectrophotometer provided more accurate results than visual selection. From a clinical point of view, this is a noteworthy improvement in the complex process of color match for indirect restoration.