Tooth shade analysis and selection in prosthodontics: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Aim:To evaluate the methods of the dental shade selection and provide a summary of different factors affecting the shade selection.Design and Setting:The systematic review and meta-analysis.Materials and Methods:The electronic search of the peer-review articles between 2002 and 2018 was carried out the by using the PRISMA guidelines. A total twenty-one studies related to the visual shade methods, instrumental shade methods, and the factors affecting the shade selections was evaluated. The search strategy was based on the PICOS framework.Statistical Analysis:There was statistically significant heterogeneity (Q = 1038.1518, df = 20, and P < 0.0001). The statistics of fixed-effect model reported an MD of − 0.0970 (95% CI = −0.1391, −0.0549). The random-effect model reported an MD of − 0.0862 (95% CI = −0.5866, 0.4142).Result:The review evaluated the 21 studies of tooth colour science that met with the inclusion criteria and search criteria. The meta-analysis of the 21 combined studies reported acceptable homogeneity (i2 = 98%) which indicates a statistically significant difference between the treatment and control groups.Conclusion:The VES spectrophotometer reported the highest accuracy, reliability, and repeatability in shade selection followed by photo colorimetric method. The Vita 3D master shows more consistent results in repetitive shade selection. Knowledge and training of the shade selection protocol are necessary for proper shade matching