OBJECTIVETo compare visual and spectrophotometric shade matching using Vita Easyshade and to evaluate its accuracy.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty participants with single anterior full ceramic restorations were included in this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to 2 groups, the visual shade matching group (Group V) and the spectrophotometric shade matching (Vita Easyshade) group (Group S). In each group, subjects were allocated into 2 subgroups, those matched with shade tabs (V1, S1) and those out of shade tabs (V2, S2). Following the treatment, the Commission International de I'Eclairage Lab parameters were tested using the spectrophotometric, and the DeltaEab* between the restoration and contrast teeth was calculated.

RESULTSThere were significant differences between DeltaEab*V (3.92 +/- 1.59) and DeltaEab*S (2.23 +/- 0.96), and also between DeltaEab*V2 (4.42 +/- 1.42) and DeltaEab*S2 (2.27 +/- 1.01), DeltaEab*V1 (2.29 +/- 0.88) and DeltaEab*V2 (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between DeltaEab*V1 and DeltaEab*S1 (2.12 +/- 0.84) (P = 0.698), nor between DeltaEab*S1 and DeltaEab*S2 (P = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONSSpectrophotometric (Vita Easyshade) shade matching method is more accurate than visual shade matching when used on tooth that has out-of-shade-tab colour expression. It provides better colour reappearance, than does visual colour matching.