Gradated silicone shade guide utilized for shade matching extraoral prostheses.

Shade matching of extraoral prostheses is completed by mixing pigments and rayon flocking into medical-grade silicone and using a carrier to evaluate the color match. This process does not account for how material thickness affects the appearance of the silicone. This clinical case report discusses an innovative way to match the patient's skin tone using a digitally designed gradated silicone carrier and how this device allows for the assessment of shade from the thin marginal edge to 5 mm thickness.