In vivo evaluation of color of primary teeth.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the color of primary teeth. METHODS A Vita Easyshade intraoral spectrophotometer was used to determine the color of primary teeth: (1) maxillary central incisors, canines, and first molars; and (2) mandibular central incisors, canines, and first molars. A total of 604 teeth were measured. Color difference was compared to DeltaE*=2.7 (mean=50:50 replacement point). Coverage error (DeltaE*cov) was calculated. RESULTS Mean L*a*b*C*ho values for primary teeth were 82.5, 0.2, 18.3, 18.4, and 89.4 respectively. The most frequently chosen shades were A1 (46%), A2 (25%), and B2 (11%). Canines had the highest lightness. Maxillary canines had the lowest a* values, whereas mandibular primary incisors had the highest a* values. Molars were the most chromatic (having the highest b* values), followed by canines and primary incisors in decreasing order. Coverage error (DeltaEcov*) of Vitapan Classical was 4.2 (+/-1.9 SD). CONCLUSIONS Among primary teeth, the widest ranges, in order, were recorded for: (1) lightness; (2) chroma; and (3) hue. Three Vitapan Classical shades were the best match for 82% of primary teeth. Color differences among the same patient's teeth underline the need for an individual approach in color matching and reproduction of primary teeth.