OBJECTIVETo study the color tolerance of anterior ceramic crown and seek an effective approach for color-matching of oral prostheses.

METHODS30 single maxillary incisor ceramic prostheses and the corresponding nature teeth were measured by a digital camera in a steady environment for image taking and color measurement, which based on the standard recommended by CIE. The color tolerance was analyzed in two groups based on satisfaction and dissatisfaction of prostheses color-matching.

RESULTSThe deltaE of satisfaction group was 2.5503, while the deltaE of dissatisfaction group was 4.0772. There was significant difference between chromatic aberration of satisfaction group and dissatisfaction group (P<0.01). When the lightness and saturation of prosthesis were higher than nature teeth, there was no significant difference between deltaL*, deltab*, deltaC* of satisfaction group and dissatisfaction group (P>0.05). When the lightness and saturation of prosthesis were smaller than nature teeth, there was significant difference between deltaL*, deltab*, deltaC* of satisfaction group and dissatisfaction group (P<0.01). There was significant difference between deltaa*, deltaH of satisfaction group and dissatisfaction group (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONControl of color difference is the key for shade matching of anterior tooth prosthesis. Applying the color tolerance is beneficial to improving the prosthesis quality.