Spectrophotometric Evaluation of Anterior Maxillary Tooth Color Distribution According to Age and Gender
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Tahir Karaman1, Eyyup Altintas1, Bekir Eser1
1Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey.
Purpose:
To determine the effects of age and gender on the color distribution of the right maxillary central, lateral incisors, and canine teeth.
Materials And Methods:
The tooth color was measured using the VITA Easyshade V spectrophotometer with a total of 202 volunteers (89 men, 113 women). The age distribution in this study was between 15 and 70 years old (average: 31). A grey background color was used to prevent background reflection while performing the color measurements.
Results:
According to the VITAPAN Classical shade guide, the tooth color distribution of the central and lateral incisors showed a maximum of A2, with a maximum of B3 for the canine teeth. When comparing the International Commission on Illumination L* , a* , and b* values (CIELab color space coordinates) of the teeth with subject gender, statistically significant differences were not found between gender and the L* and b* values (p > 0.05); however, a statistically significant difference was observed between gender and the a* values (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
When the distribution ratio of tooth color was examined, different ratios were determined based on gender and age and between the maxillary central, lateral incisors, and canine teeth. A uniform tooth color should not be chosen for anterior restorations, and factors such as gender and age should be considered when making a color selection for patients.
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