ABSTRACT
Objective: To measure and compare the color of a new and a conventional Vita shade guide(VITAPAN 3D-Master and LUMIN RVACUUM-Farbskala) in order to provide the references for clinical application.Methods: Color in the two shade guides was measured with Minolta colorimeter CR-321 under the light of D 65 and reported in CIE1976L*a*b* color system. Each tab was detected 3 times in the same dimensions at the middle facial surface. Mean values were calculated as the shade of the tab.Results: The range of color value in VITAPAN 3D-Master was larger than that in LUMIN R VACUUM-Farbaskala because the lower value tab was added. The distrbution of a* deviated to the red color , while the green color was relatively deficient. The yellow color could cover the color space of Chinese teeth, and the blue was not enough, although the distribution of b* was enlarged. The tabs of the two shade guides did not match with each other. Only a few tabs could not tell in shade by naked eyes. Conclusion: VITAPAN 3D -Master shade guide can not cover the color of Chinese teeth although it has 10 tabs added and color space enlarged.