The use of objective digital matching to achieve an esthetic composite restoration.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the ability to match composite restorations to teeth using digital imaging and CIE L*a*b* color differences.


METHODS
Ten extracted human central incisors were used. Eleven discs of composite of differing shades were produced and mounted on white cardboard to create a customized shade guide (CSG). The CSG was photographed next to each of the ten teeth in a phantom head using a digital SLR camera. The images were analyzed, and color differences (deltaE) between the teeth and the shade discs were calculated using CIE L*a*b* values. Three cavities were then drilled into the labial surface of each tooth. Composite shades with the lowest three deltaE values were then used to restore the cavities. Ten observers evaluated the teeth under a standard D65 light source and recorded the best match.


RESULTS
The majority of the observers selected the lowest deltaE in six out of the 10 teeth, and in a further two out of 10 teeth the second lowest deltaE was chosen.


CONCLUSIONS
The lowest deltaE selected by objective color matching was agreed as the best match by observers. The high correlation between digital and visual color matching confirms the ability of digital camera and image analysis software to detect color differences.
Jarad
F D
FD
School of Dental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, UK. f.jarad@liverpool.ac.uk
Albadri
S S
SS
Mair
L H
LH
D003116:Color; D003124:Colorimetry; D003188:Composite Resins; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007180:Incisor; D023861:Photography, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014796:Visual Perception
D003188:Composite Resins