title: Achieving a precise color chart with common computer software for excellence in anterior composite restorations.
abstract: Achieving similar features to those on natural teeth is a common problem with esthetic restorations. Color matching is a fundamental procedure required to perform a predictable composite resin restoration. It is no longer enough to measure these criteria with conventional shade guides, which provide the hue and chroma, but do not take into account other dimensions of the tooth such as value, intensives, opalescence and characterizations. The present article presents a simple and effective technique for color selection using a digital photograph of the tooth and an image-editing program such as Adobe Photoshop or Picture Project. The digital editing of the photograph with two simple steps described in this paper reveals the internal structures of the tooth easily. The modified photographs highlight the opalescence, white spots, shape of the internal mammelons and other features that are not visible at first glance. This procedure provides an accurate color chart with which the clinician can begin an esthetic restoration process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Esthetics and Restorative Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain. annasalat@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salat
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Devoto
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Manauta
mesh_terms: D003188:Composite Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods; D003801:Dental Veneers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D023861:Photography, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D010783:Photometry; D017797:Prosthesis Coloring / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins