Intraexaminer reliability of measurement of tooth color by spectrophotometry.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate intraexaminer reliability in measurement of basic tooth color by use of a clinically applicable spectrophotometer.


METHODS
Three examiners determined the L* (lightness), C* (chroma), and h* (hue) values and tooth color according to the Vita 3D-Master shade guide system (Vident), twice for 161 anterior teeth of 19 subjects by use of a spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade 1, Vita Zahnfabrik). Between the 2 measurements on each tooth, the investigators had to completely remove the probe tip from the mouth. The reliability of the measurements was observed, and deviations between the 2 L*C*h* measurements, as well as DeltaEab for the measurements, were calculated.


RESULTS
Exact agreement of chosen shade tab according to the 3D-Master shade guide was achieved in 48% of cases. Mean DeltaL*, DeltaC*, and Deltah* for all examiners were 1.9 (SD 1.7), 1.3 (SD 1.3), and 0.5 degrees (SD 0.7 degrees), respectively. The maximum deviation was 9 for DeltaL*, 7 for DeltaC*, and 3 degrees for Deltah*. Mean DeltaEab for the measurements was 2.7 (SD 1.8, range 0 to 9.5).


CONCLUSIONS
Intraexaminer reliability was usually acceptable, although a clinically relevant difference between the 2 measurements of an examiner was occasionally observed. This uncertainty should be borne in mind in clinical routine and in studies reporting changes in color, eg, studies of tooth bleaching.
Hassel
Alexander J
AJ
Poliklinik für Zahnärztliche Prothetik, Heidelberg, Germany. alexander.hassel@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Cevirgen
Engin
E
Balke
Zibandeh
Z
Rammelsberg
Peter
P
D003116:Color; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology*