Overview: Learn how to prepare your clinical environment, tools, and patient to capture high-quality shade photographs for accurate dental restorations.
Prerequisites
Before beginning the shade capture process, ensure the following items and conditions are met:
Camera: Use a smartphone with the resolution of an iPhone 12 or higher, or a high-resolution DSLR camera.
Shade Guide: Ensure the shade guide (preferably a Vita classical guide) is less than two years old.
Hydration: Confirm the patient's teeth are fully hydrated before photography.
Prepare the Clinical Environment
Clinical Room Setup
To ensure color accuracy, optimize the lighting and surroundings in the operatory:
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Lighting: Turn the dental chair light OFF. Use natural, ambient lighting.
Including a dental loupes light source.
Color Correction: Use color-corrective lighting with a temperature of approximately 5500 K and a color-rendering index (CRI) of 90 or higher.
Room Color: Light blue or gray walls are recommended to avoid color dilution in the photographs.
Gloves: Use neutral, black, or gray colored gloves to avoid color interference.
Tool and Shade Guide Preparation
Prepare the equipment required for shade matching:
Shade Tabs: Rearrange the shade guide from light to dark to assist with visual discernment.
Stump Shade: If applicable, prepare a stump shade guide that is less than two years old.
Sterilization: Do not use cold sterilization techniques on shade guides, as this can alter the color of the tabs.
Capture Patient Shade Photographs
Photography Workflow
Follow these steps while the patient is in the chair to capture necessary shade data:
Hydration Maintenance: Move through the photography steps quickly, as dry teeth will change color and impact the accuracy of the shade.
Full Face Image: At eye level, capture a photograph of the patient’s natural smile (full face).
Close-up Image: At eye level, capture a photograph of the natural smile from a close-up perspective.
Edge-to-Edge Tab Image: Position three shade tabs (the selected shade, one lighter, and one darker) edge-to-edge with the tooth being restored. Capture the image at eye level.
Dimensional Image: Capture a photograph from a side angle to help the lab understand the tooth's dimensions.
Retracted Bite Images: If the bite is complex, capture images of the teeth retracted with the bite both open and closed.
Distance: Take photos from 1–2 feet away and zoom in afterward to maintain focus.
Submit Shade Photos to Dandy
Submission Process
To ensure the lab receives the shade data, follow this submission protocol:
Order Selection: Verify the desired shade is selected within the digital order.
File Upload: Attach the captured photographs directly to the order.
Chat Communication: Add the shade photos into the chat window and include any specific aesthetic notes for the dental technician.
How to Effectively Capture Shade PDF
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