Shade Guide Systems
Posted on 08/09/2012
We will now turn our attention to perhaps the most practical side of shade selection in dentistry - the shade guide. And while the contrast effects noted earlier are certainly important to keep in mind, it is ultimately the tool that we use to select a shade that has the greatest impact. If the tool is itself of a high quality and is used properly, shade selection can be predictable. If the tool used is worn out, distorted or incomplete; or alternatively if the professional is not trained in the use of the tool, shade selection becomes an onerous task.
We will begin our discussion with the most widely used shade guide system in the US - the Vita Classical Shade system by Vita Zahnfabrik from Switzerland. It is sold and distributed in the US by Vident Inc. in California.
The Vita classical shade system was introduced in 1983 and has become the most widely used shade guide for porcelain restorations.
It consists of 16 shade tabs arranged according to hue alphabetically:
A - Orange
B - Yellow
C - Yellow/Gray
D - Orange/Gray (Brown)
The tabs are further organized by value and chroma designated by a number that suffixes the letter.
1 - Lease Chromatic, Highest Value
4 - Most Chromatic, Lowest Value
For example, A1 has a an orange Hue, a low Chroma and a High Value. Please see the picture below for the complete shade tab arrangement.
Portions of this post were adapted from the book:
Fundaments of Color - Shade Matching and Communication in Esthetic Dentistry published by Quintessence Publishing Co. Inc and written by Dr. Stephen J. Chu, Dr. Alessandro Devigus, Dr. Rade D. Paravina and Mr. Adam J. Mieleszko.
http://vident.com/products/shade-management/vita-classical-previously-the-lumin-vacuum-shade-guide/
We will begin our discussion with the most widely used shade guide system in the US - the Vita Classical Shade system by Vita Zahnfabrik from Switzerland. It is sold and distributed in the US by Vident Inc. in California.
The Vita classical shade system was introduced in 1983 and has become the most widely used shade guide for porcelain restorations.
It consists of 16 shade tabs arranged according to hue alphabetically:
A - Orange
B - Yellow
C - Yellow/Gray
D - Orange/Gray (Brown)
The tabs are further organized by value and chroma designated by a number that suffixes the letter.
1 - Lease Chromatic, Highest Value
4 - Most Chromatic, Lowest Value
For example, A1 has a an orange Hue, a low Chroma and a High Value. Please see the picture below for the complete shade tab arrangement.
Portions of this post were adapted from the book:
Fundaments of Color - Shade Matching and Communication in Esthetic Dentistry published by Quintessence Publishing Co. Inc and written by Dr. Stephen J. Chu, Dr. Alessandro Devigus, Dr. Rade D. Paravina and Mr. Adam J. Mieleszko.
http://vident.com/products/shade-management/vita-classical-previously-the-lumin-vacuum-shade-guide/