Interexaminer reliability in clinical measurement of L*C*h* values of anterior teeth using a spectrophotometer.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate interexaminer reliability in the clinical measurement of the L*C*h* (lightness/value, chroma, hue) values of anterior teeth using a spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade).


METHODS
The basic color of the maxillary right central incisors and canines of 23 subjects was spectrophotometrically determined by 4 clinicians and an experienced user (development manager) of the spectrophotometer. Also, to analyze the effect of different training with the instrument on interexaminer reliability, 2 of the clinicians were instructed in the use of the spectrophotometer by the experienced examiner, whereas the others instructed themselves by studying the operating manual.


RESULTS
Agreement between all examiners was acceptable to excellent (intraclass coefficient > 0.4). The mean value of the measured differences for the central incisors of all subjects for L* values was 5 (for C* = 3.8, h* = 2.7 degrees) and for canines, the mean L* was 4.5 (C* = 3, h* = 1.6 degrees). Results from comparison of the 2 different training methods were inconsistent. Agreement with the experienced examiner ranged from not acceptable (C* values for incisors of self-instructed examiners) to excellent.


CONCLUSIONS
The distribution of the measurements of 1 subject could lead to deviations in color, probably with clinical impact. For canines, the measurements were at least equally reproducible (in some cases significantly more reproducible) compared to central incisors. Because of the small number of examiners and the inconsistent results, it was not possible to reach a definite conclusion about the effect of different training methods on interexaminer reliability.
Hassel
Alexander J
AJ
Poliklinik für Zahnärztliche Prothetik, Heidelberg, Germany. alexander.hassel@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Grossmann
Anne-christiane
AC
Schmitter
Marc
M
Balke
Zibandeh
Z
Buzello
Anja M
AM
D000328:Adult; D003116:Color; D003118:Color Perception; D003481:Cuspid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013053:Spectrophotometry / Q000295:instrumentation