Advancements and Challenges in Dental Shade Matching: A Comprehensive Review of Visual and Instrumental Techniques

Şevval Takva; Dilara Sahin Hazir; Senay Canay

doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1723994

Advancements and Challenges in Dental Shade Matching: A Comprehensive Review of Visual and Instrumental Techniques

Abstract

Background: Achieving lifelike aesthetics in dental restorations depends heavily on accurate tooth color matching. However, conventional visual shade selection is often subjective and unreliable, prompting the integration of digital technologies in clinical workflows. Methods: This review examines current methods for tooth shade determination, including visual guides, colorimeters, spectrophotometers, hybrid systems, digital photography, and intraoral scanners. Each technique is evaluated in terms of accuracy, reproducibility, clinical applicability, and integration with digital dentistry systems. Results: Spectrophotometers consistently offer high precision and are less affected by environmental factors or observer bias, making them the gold standard for objective color determination. Intraoral scanners show increasing accuracy due to advancements in optical technology, although their performance varies across models. Digital photography, when standardized and calibrated, provides detailed visual documentation and aids in communication. Hybrid systems combine imaging and spectral analysis for improved consistency. Despite these advancements, no single method guarantees perfect results under all clinical conditions. Conclusions: The integration of digital technologies into shade selection has significantly enhanced objectivity and reproducibility in dental restorations. Nonetheless, combining multiple techniques—particularly visual inspection with spectrophotometric or scanner-based data—remains essential for accurate shade matching. Ongoing research and standardization efforts are needed to optimize clinical outcomes and improve reliability across devices. Keywords: Digital shade selection, spectrophotometer, intraoral scanner, colorimetry in dentistry, esthetic restorations, tooth color matching

Keywords

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Dental Materials and Equipment, Prosthodontics

Journal Section

Review

Authors

Şevval Takva
0009-0000-2058-8532
Türkiye

Dilara Sahin Hazir ^*
0000-0002-4305-0257
Türkiye

Senay Canay
0000-0003-0485-361X
Türkiye

Publication Date

April 27, 2026

Submission Date

June 21, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 28, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 13 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1723994

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA69ME75RG

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Takva, Ş., Sahin Hazir, D., & Canay, S. (2026). Advancements and Challenges in Dental Shade Matching: A Comprehensive Review of Visual and Instrumental Techniques. Selcuk Dental Journal, 13(1), 160-163. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1723994

AMA

1.Takva Ş, Sahin Hazir D, Canay S. Advancements and Challenges in Dental Shade Matching: A Comprehensive Review of Visual and Instrumental Techniques. Selcuk Dent J. 2026;13(1):160-163. doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1723994

Chicago

Takva, Şevval, Dilara Sahin Hazir, and Senay Canay. 2026. “Advancements and Challenges in Dental Shade Matching: A Comprehensive Review of Visual and Instrumental Techniques”. Selcuk Dental Journal 13 (1): 160-63. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1723994.

EndNote

Takva Ş, Sahin Hazir D, Canay S (April 1, 2026) Advancements and Challenges in Dental Shade Matching: A Comprehensive Review of Visual and Instrumental Techniques. Selcuk Dental Journal 13 1 160–163.

IEEE

[1]Ş. Takva, D. Sahin Hazir, and S. Canay, “Advancements and Challenges in Dental Shade Matching: A Comprehensive Review of Visual and Instrumental Techniques”, Selcuk Dent J, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 160–163, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.15311/selcukdentj.1723994.

ISNAD

Takva, Şevval - Sahin Hazir, Dilara - Canay, Senay. “Advancements and Challenges in Dental Shade Matching: A Comprehensive Review of Visual and Instrumental Techniques”. Selcuk Dental Journal 13/1 (April 1, 2026): 160-163. https://doi.org/10.15311/selcukdentj.1723994.

JAMA

1.Takva Ş, Sahin Hazir D, Canay S. Advancements and Challenges in Dental Shade Matching: A Comprehensive Review of Visual and Instrumental Techniques. Selcuk Dent J. 2026;13:160–163.

MLA

Takva, Şevval, et al. “Advancements and Challenges in Dental Shade Matching: A Comprehensive Review of Visual and Instrumental Techniques”. Selcuk Dental Journal, vol. 13, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 160-3, doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1723994.

Vancouver

1.Şevval Takva, Dilara Sahin Hazir, Senay Canay. Advancements and Challenges in Dental Shade Matching: A Comprehensive Review of Visual and Instrumental Techniques. Selcuk Dent J. 2026 Apr. 1;13(1):160-3. doi:10.15311/selcukdentj.1723994