Interrater Repeatability of Shade Matching

Journal Article

• Issue Number: 2
• Volume Number: 22
• Pages: 75 - 81

Publication Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the interreter repeatbility in shade matching procedure, and to determine if differences exist in selection of particular common shades. Five groups (10 each) of participants were selected: prosthodontists, dentists, dental interns, dental technicians and dental patients. Shade selection was carried out using Vitapan classical shade guides to match seven shade tabs. (A1, A3, B2, B3, C2, C4 and D3) of the same shade guide. Shade tabs label were masked and the shade selection was carried out through two rounds with an interval of one week time. Spectrophotometer was used as control.
Shade repeatability results showed variation between the studied groups. A statistically significant difference (P<0.05) were found between dental interns (48.6%) and both dental patients (24.3%) and dental technicians (21.4%). The specrophotometer provided a hundred percentage match of the two rounds. among the seven shade tabs C4 showed the highest incidence of being matched correctly; 56% in the 1stround and 62 % in the 2nd round.
Dental interns were the most reliable group in providing correct matching, whereas, the reliability of dental patients and dental technicians in reproducing shade selection is questionable.