Current trends in digital shade matching - A scoping review

Shade selection plays an important role in the success of any prosthesis and is largely influenced by technological advancements and societal trends, which emphasize the need for accurate shade selection. This scoping review aims to assess the accuracy of shade matching with any of the digital shade selection methods compared to the conventional method. This review employs PRISMA extension protocols for scoping review and search strategies based on keywords performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. Two investigators (V.N. and S.B.V.) independently performed screening of the literature electronically in three databases. In vivo and in vitro studies which used digital shade selection methods were included in the study. A total of 29 articles which had used any method of digital shade selection were assessed. This scoping review concluded that the reliability and accuracy of various digital methods were comparable to that of conventional methods. Further research is suggested for the development of standalone, reliable and accurate methods for the use of digital shade analysis.