Evaluation of Dentists' Knowledge Level, Attitudes and Behaviors Regarding Color Diagnosis

Year 2025, Volume: 5 Issue: 3, 174 - 188, 31.12.2025

Şeyhmus Bakır , Elif Pınar Bakir , İbrahim Halil Avcılar

https://doi.org/10.61139/ijdor.1836809

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge levels, attitudes, and behaviors of dentists practicing in the Diyarbakır region regarding color determination.
Materials and Methods: A total of 300 volunteer dentists practicing in the Diyarbakır region were included in the study. A questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was used to determine the participants' demographic information and their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding color determination. Pearson chi-square test and Fisher Freeman Halton tests were used for the statistical analysis.
Findings: 82.7% of participants stated that color determination should be performed before the procedure, 44% stated that the ideal time required for color determination should be 5-10 seconds, 48% stated that the most important factor affecting tooth color was genetics, 41.3% stated that professional experience was of vital importance in color determination, 46.7% stated that the most important factor influencing color selection was color tone, and 60.7% stated that their preferred method for color selection was the color scale. 92.3% of dentists reported using incisors for color determination, 95% preferred daylight for manual color selection, and 77.7% reported using digital devices to determine color from the "middle third of the labial surface" of the teeth, while the vast majority emphasized that "the patient's age" and "gender" were influential factors.
Conclusion: It was observed that a significant proportion of participants did not have sufficient knowledge about current color determination techniques. Educational efforts on the application of visual and instrumental color determination procedures will help increase awareness on this subject.

Keywords

Tooth color , color selection , visual color scales , digital color determination

Ethical Statement

This cross-sectional study was conducted with the approval of the Dicle University Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Protocol No: 2025-72, dated 30.09.2025)

Supporting Institution

Dicle University

Project Number

2025-72

References

• 1. Yılmaz B, Irmak Ö, Yaman BC. Outcomes of visual tooth shade selection performed by operators with different experience. J Esthet Restor Dent 2019; 31: 500-7.
• 2. Oremosu OA, Makanjuola JO: Shade selection practices amongst clinical dental students in southwestern Nigeria. Niger J Dent Res. 2020, 31: 167-76.
• 3. Fondriest J. Shade matching in restorative dentistry: the science and strategies. Int J Periodon Rest Dent. 2003; 23: 467-79.
• 4. Klemetti E, Matela A-M, Haag P, Kononen M. Shade selection performed by novice dental professionals and colorimeter. J Oral Rehabil 2006; 33: 31-5.
• 5. Paravina RD. Performance assessment of dental shade guides. J Dent 2009; 37 Suppl 1: 15-20.
• 6. Agrawal VS, Kapoor S. Color and shade management in esthetic dentistry. Univ Res J Dent. 2013; 3: 120-7.
• 7. Judeh A, Al-Wahadni A. A comparison between conventional visual and spectrophotometric methods for shade selection. Quintessence Int 2009; 40: 69-79.
• 8. Della Bona A, Barrett AA, Rosa V, Pinzetta C. Visual and instrumental agreement in dental shade selection: three distinct observer populations and shade matching protocols. Dent Mater 2009; 25: 276-81.
• 9. Borse S, Chaware SH: Tooth shade analysis and selection in prosthodontics: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Indian Prosthodont Soc 2020; 20: 131-40.
• 10. Hassel AJ, Koke U, Schmitter M, Beck J, Rammelsberg P. Clinical effect of different shade guide systems on the tooth shades of ceramic-veneered restorations. Int J Prosthodont 2005; 18: 422-6.
• 11. Sengez G, Dörter C. Color selection in aesthetic dentistry. Selcuk Dent J 2019; 6: 213-20.
• 12. Analoui M, Papkosta E, Cochran M, Matis B. Designing visually optimal shade guides. J Prosthet Dent 2004; 92: 371-6.
• 13. Montero J, Gómez-Polo C. Effect of ceramic thickness and cement shade on the final shade after bonding using the 3D master system: a laboratory study. Clinical and Experimental Dental Research 2016; 2: 57-64.
• 14. Saraç D, Saraç YŞ, Yüzbaşıoğlu E. Color differences between a color scale and different composites. Gazi Univ J Dent 2005; 22(2): 77-82.
• 15. Vadher R, Parmar G, Kanodia S, Chaudhary A, Kaur M, Savadhariya T. Basics of color in dentistry: A review. IOSR-JDMS. 2014;13:78-85.
• 16. Salman A, Habib SR, Azad AA. Scientific and artistic principles of tooth shade selection: a review. Pakistan Oral & Dental Journal 2011; 31: 222-6.
• 17. Yu B, Ahn JS, Lee YK. Measurement of translucency of tooth enamel and dentin. Acta Odontol Scand 2009; 67: 57-64.
• 18. Lee YK, Yu B, Lim JI, Lim HN. Perceived color shift of a shade guide according to the change of illuminant. J Prosthet Dent. 2011; 105: 91-9.
• 19. Douglas RD, Steinhauer TJ, Wee AG. Intraoral determination of the tolerance of dentists for perceptibility and acceptability of shade mismatch. J Prosthet Dent 2007; 97: 200–8.
• 20. Iqbal J, Shahid S, Majeed M: Comparison of skills and knowledge related to prosthetic tooth shade selection among dental practitioners in a third world country. Oral Health Dent. 2017; 1: 230-6.
• 21. Paravina RD. Evaluation of a newly developed visual shade-matching apparatus. Int J Prosthodont. 2002; 15: 528-34.
• 22. Da Silva JD, Park SE, Weber HP, Ishikawa-Nagai S. Clinical performance of a newly developed spectrophotometric system on tooth color reproduction. J Prosthet Dent. 2008; 99: 361-8.
• 23. Tung FF, Goldstein GR, Jang S, Hittelman E. The repeatability of an intraoral dental colorimeter. J Prosthet Dent. 2002; 88: 585-90.
• 24. Parameswaran V, Anilkumar S, Lylajam S, Rajesh C, Narayan V. Comparison of accuracies of an intraoral spectrophotometer and conventional visual method for shade matching using two shade guide systems. J Indian Prosthodont Soc 2016; 16: 352-8.
• 25. Miyajiwala JS, Kheur MG, Patankar AH, Lakha TA. Comparison of photographic and conventional methods for tooth shade selection: A clinical evaluation. J Indian Prosthodont Soc 2017; 17: 273–81.
• 26. Alandia-Roman CC, Cruvinel DR, Sousa AB, Pires-de-Souza FC, Panzeri H. Effect of cigarette smoke on color stability and surface roughness of dental composites. J Dent 2013; 41(3): 73-9.
• 27. Nalbant D, Yerliyurt K, Babaç YG, Akçaboy C, Nalbant L. Evaluation of the effects of age, dental plaque amount, oral hygiene practices, and consumption of colored beverages on natural tooth color. Acta Odontol Turc 2014; 31(2): 89-94.
• 28. Tuncdemir AR, Polat S, Ozturk C, Tuncdemir MT, Gungor AY. Color differences between maxillary and mandibular incisors. Eur J Gen Dent 2012; 1: 170-3.
• 29. Sambandam TV, Ramesh S. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of dental students and practitioners on shade matching of anterior teeth. Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education & Research 2017; 7(3): 368-70.
• 30. Öngül D, Çelik D, İlbey D, Şermet B. Investigation of tooth color distribution in young individuals in the Turkish population. Istanbul Dent J 2013; 47(2): 30-40.
• 31. Ranju MB, Shaik N, Shanbog R: Assessment of tooth shade in primary dentition among Indian pediatric population and its association with skin, lip, and gingival color: an observational study. J Clin Diagn Res. 2018; 12(7): 20-3.
• 32. Jahangiri L, Reinhardt SB, Mehra RV, Matheson PB. Relationship between tooth shade value and skin color: An observational study. J Prosthet Dent 2002; 87: 149-52.
• 33. Nakhaei M, Ghanbarzadeh J, Keyvanloo S, Alavi S, Jafarzadeh H. Shade matching performance of dental students with three various lighting conditions. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2013; 14: 100-3.
• 34. Ahmad S, Habib SR, Azad AA. Scientific and artistic principles of tooth shade selection: A review. Pak Oral Dent J. 2011; 31: 222-6.
• 35. Habib SR. Awareness of tooth shade selection principles among dental students, interns, general dentists, and specialists. Pak Oral Dent J. 2012; 32: 549-55.
• 36. Trakyalı G. Methods used in determining tooth color. EÜ Dişhek Fak Derg 2013; 34(1): 1-10.
• 37. Shammas M, Alla RK. Color and shade matching in dentistry. Trends Biomater Artif Organs. 2011; 25: 172-5.
• 38. Hugo B, Witzel T, Klaiber B. Comparison of in vivo visual and computer-aided tooth shade determination. Clin Oral Investig 2005; 9: 244-50.
• 39. Shajahan PA, Raghavan R, Kunjumon N. The Perfect Match: Recent Advances in Shade Matching. Int J Dent Med Sci Res. 2019; 3: 9-14.
• 40. Yuan JC, Brewer JD, Monaco EA Jr, Davis EL. Defining a natural tooth color space based on a 3-dimensional shade system. J Prosthet Dent 2007; 98: 110-9.
• 41. Chu SJ. Precision shade technology: contemporary strategies in shade selection. Pract Proced Aesthet Dent 2002; 14: 79-83.
• 42. Burkinshaw SM. Color in relation to dentistry. Fundamentals of color science. Br Dent J 2004; 196: 33-41.
• 43. Gül P, Akgül N. Comparison of translucency and masking properties of different composite resins. J Dent Fac Atatürk Uni 2013; 21(1): 30-6.
• 44. Gozalo-Diaz D, Johnston WM, Wee AG. Estimating the color of maxillary central incisors based on age and gender. J Prosthet Dent 2008; 100(2): 93-8.
• 45. Haralur SB. Effect of age on tooth shade, skin color and skin-tooth color interrelationship in Saudi Arabian subpopulation. J Int Oral Health. 2015; 7(8): 33.