Role Of Digital Photography as a Tool for Shade Selection in Prosthodontics

Abstract

Statement of problem: Shade selection remains as a challenge for any restorative dental procedures. There is a need to check for the reliability of methods used in shade selection for a successful restorative treatment.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the reliability of two different methods used for shade selection, i.e.; visual method and digital photography method.

Materials and methods: Fifty-two student participants of age group 18-25 years were selected for the study from our institution after obtaining informed consent. The only inclusion criteria for the study were the presence of an unrestored maxillary right central incisor. The shade of the right maxillary central incisor was determined by visual and digital photography method. In visual method, the shade was selected by the clinician using shade guide (vita classical shade guide) and the shade was manually entered. In digital photography method, the digital camera was used (eye special c iii dental camera). Standardized digital photographic images were taken and sent to a dental technician. The reliability of the perception of the clinician selected shade by visual method and the technician selected shade by digital method were compared and evaluated after being subjected to appropriate statistical analysis.

Results: On comparison of the two different methods of shade selection, there was fair agreement between the two methods of shade selection.

Conclusion: Digital camera can be used for shade selection as it improves communication between the dentist and dental technician and with further advancements in digitalisation, it may replace the visual method in the near future.