Using digital photography to match tooth color instead of traditional methods

Dental Photography and Numeric Shade Quantification as a Substitute to Conventional and Instrumental Shade Matching Techniques in the Esthetic Zone: A Controlled Clinical Trial

This study is testing if using digital photography and special software can help dentists match tooth colors more accurately than traditional methods.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 10 (estimated)
• Ages: 20 Years to 50 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Cairo University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Cairo)
• Trial ID: NCT04817579 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of digital photography combined with specialized software for shade analysis as an alternative to conventional shade matching techniques in dentistry. It aims to address the inaccuracies associated with visual shade matching, which can be influenced by various factors such as lighting and individual perception. By utilizing instrumental methods, the study seeks to provide a more objective and accurate approach to color matching for dental restorations. Participants will undergo assessments using both digital photography and traditional methods to compare outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 20-50 with specific dental issues requiring full coverage restorations and good overall oral health.

Not a fit: Patients with severe tooth discoloration, poor oral hygiene, or those who smoke may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more accurate and aesthetically pleasing dental restorations for patients.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies exploring digital methods for shade matching, this specific approach combining photography and software is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age range of the patients from 20-50 years old; able to read and sign the informed consent document.
2. Patients able physically and psychologically to tolerate conventional restorative procedures.
3. Patients with no active periodontal or pulpal diseases, having teeth with good restorations.
4. Patients with teeth problems indicated for full coverage restoration (e.g. moderate discoloration, coronal fracture where partial coverage would lack retention, mal-posed or malformed teeth, esthetics enhancement of previously placed crown) where the contralateral/adjacent tooth is present.
5. Patients with root canal treated teeth requiring full coverage restorations even if they need fiber post and core fabrication first.

Exclusion criteria are:

1. Patients with poor oral hygiene and motivation.
2. Patients with teeth with increased incisal translucency.
3. Patients with severe discolored teeth.
4. Patients with smoking habits.
5. Patients with excessive consumption of coffee or tea.
6. Pregnant women to avoid any complication that may occur in dental office due to pregnancy or due to injected anesthetic solution.
7. Patients with psychiatric problems or unrealistic expectation (patient that has phobia from dental treatments or needle injection).
8. Patients suffer from para-functional habits.

Where this trial is running

Cairo

• Faculty of dentistry, Cairo University — Cairo, Egypt (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Nada F Shehab

Conditions Discoloration, Tooth; Chip Tooth; Non Vital Teeth; Trauma Dental