Effectiveness of Lighting Conditions on Shade Matching Accuracy Among Dental Students

<b>Background</b>: In prosthodontics, achieving esthetic success requires precise shade matching of restorations to natural teeth. This study evaluated the shade-matching abilities of fourth-year dental students using different tools and conditions in laboratory (LB) and clinical (CL) se...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Christina Perou, Andrianos Petalas, Michaella Stoupi, Christina Hadjichristou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Dentistry Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/13/3/130
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850204512829046784
author Christina Perou
Andrianos Petalas
Michaella Stoupi
Christina Hadjichristou
author_facet Christina Perou
Andrianos Petalas
Michaella Stoupi
Christina Hadjichristou
author_sort Christina Perou
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background</b>: In prosthodontics, achieving esthetic success requires precise shade matching of restorations to natural teeth. This study evaluated the shade-matching abilities of fourth-year dental students using different tools and conditions in laboratory (LB) and clinical (CL) settings. <b>Methods</b>: In the LB setting, students matched blinded shade tabs to the VITA classical shade guide under natural daylight (ND), artificial light (AL), and a polarized filter (PF). In the CL setting, they determined the shades of patients’ central incisors using the same conditions. Participants also completed a questionnaire about their experience. <b>Results</b>: Quantitative analysis showed better shade matching in the LB setting, particularly with the PF (52% correct), compared to ND (50%) and AL (43%). In the CL setting, overall accuracy dropped to 32% across all conditions. No results were statistically significant. Qualitative feedback revealed that students found the spectrophotometer to have improved their accuracy and reliability compared to the ND and AL conditions. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study highlights the importance of incorporating technology as a validation tool in dental practice. Leveraging tools like spectrophotometers may enhance shade-matching accuracy, streamline processes, and improve patient satisfaction while balancing traditional methods with technological advancements.
format Article
id doaj-art-2d1a0ccb13754a5fba3559919d838ce2
institution OA Journals
issn 2304-6767
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Dentistry Journal
spelling doaj-art-2d1a0ccb13754a5fba3559919d838ce22025-08-20T02:11:16ZengMDPI AGDentistry Journal2304-67672025-03-0113313010.3390/dj13030130Effectiveness of Lighting Conditions on Shade Matching Accuracy Among Dental StudentsChristina Perou0Andrianos Petalas1Michaella Stoupi2Christina Hadjichristou3Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, European University Cyprus, 2404 Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, European University Cyprus, 2404 Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, European University Cyprus, 2404 Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, European University Cyprus, 2404 Nicosia, Cyprus<b>Background</b>: In prosthodontics, achieving esthetic success requires precise shade matching of restorations to natural teeth. This study evaluated the shade-matching abilities of fourth-year dental students using different tools and conditions in laboratory (LB) and clinical (CL) settings. <b>Methods</b>: In the LB setting, students matched blinded shade tabs to the VITA classical shade guide under natural daylight (ND), artificial light (AL), and a polarized filter (PF). In the CL setting, they determined the shades of patients’ central incisors using the same conditions. Participants also completed a questionnaire about their experience. <b>Results</b>: Quantitative analysis showed better shade matching in the LB setting, particularly with the PF (52% correct), compared to ND (50%) and AL (43%). In the CL setting, overall accuracy dropped to 32% across all conditions. No results were statistically significant. Qualitative feedback revealed that students found the spectrophotometer to have improved their accuracy and reliability compared to the ND and AL conditions. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study highlights the importance of incorporating technology as a validation tool in dental practice. Leveraging tools like spectrophotometers may enhance shade-matching accuracy, streamline processes, and improve patient satisfaction while balancing traditional methods with technological advancements.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/13/3/130colorshade matchingprosthodonticsspectrophotometersmile liteartificial light source
spellingShingle Christina Perou
Andrianos Petalas
Michaella Stoupi
Christina Hadjichristou
Effectiveness of Lighting Conditions on Shade Matching Accuracy Among Dental Students
Dentistry Journal
color
shade matching
prosthodontics
spectrophotometer
smile lite
artificial light source
title Effectiveness of Lighting Conditions on Shade Matching Accuracy Among Dental Students
title_full Effectiveness of Lighting Conditions on Shade Matching Accuracy Among Dental Students
title_fullStr Effectiveness of Lighting Conditions on Shade Matching Accuracy Among Dental Students
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of Lighting Conditions on Shade Matching Accuracy Among Dental Students
title_short Effectiveness of Lighting Conditions on Shade Matching Accuracy Among Dental Students
title_sort effectiveness of lighting conditions on shade matching accuracy among dental students
topic color
shade matching
prosthodontics
spectrophotometer
smile lite
artificial light source
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/13/3/130
work_keys_str_mv AT christinaperou effectivenessoflightingconditionsonshadematchingaccuracyamongdentalstudents
AT andrianospetalas effectivenessoflightingconditionsonshadematchingaccuracyamongdentalstudents
AT michaellastoupi effectivenessoflightingconditionsonshadematchingaccuracyamongdentalstudents
AT christinahadjichristou effectivenessoflightingconditionsonshadematchingaccuracyamongdentalstudents