title: Dental color matching instruments and systems. Review of clinical and research aspects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review current status of hand held systems for tooth color matching in vivo and corresponding research.
  
  
  METHODS
  "Medline" database from 1981 to 2010 were searched electronically with key words tooth, teeth, color and dentistry.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spectrophotometers, colorimeters and imaging systems are useful and relevant tools for tooth color measurement and analysis, and for quality control of color reproduction. Different measurement devices either measure the complete tooth surface providing a "color map" or an "average" color of the limited area [3-5mm] on the tooth surface. These instruments are useful tools in color analysis for direct or indirect restorations, communication for indirect restorations, reproduction and verification of shade. Whenever possible, both instrumental and visual color matching method should be used, as they complement each other and can lead towards predictable esthetic outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Trushkowsky
authors.forename: Rade D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Paravina
mesh_terms: D003116:Color / Q000592:standards*; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design / Q000379:methods; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D017797:Prosthesis Coloring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013053:Spectrophotometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D014070:Tooth / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy