Fundamentals of shade matching

With a move in contemporary restorative dentistry towards the provision of tooth-coloured restorations, the ability of the clinical team to achieve imperceptible shade matching between the (direct or indirect) restorative material and the dental hard tissues is highly desirable. The present article provides an overview of the physics of light, and how colours are perceived by the human eye. It then discusses the factors that affect the optical properties of natural teeth and dental restorative materials alike, and provides tips on how the clinician can achieve best results when ‘taking the shade.’ CPD/Clinical Relevance: The art of shade matching is a fundamental clinical skill in restorative dentistry to ensure that the best possible aesthetic outcome is achieved.