Are there any color match and color correlation between maxillary anterior teeth?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the color match and color correlation between maxillary anterior teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CIELab values of 1182 intact maxillary anterior teeth in 197 human specimens were measured through spectrophotometry. ∆E00 color differences between similar regions of the same and different type teeth were calculated and compared with perceptibility and acceptability thresholds using 1-sample t test to evaluate color matches. Regression analyses assessed linear relationships between the color coordinates of similar regions of different type teeth. Percentages of different modes of the color match between the same specimen's teeth (2-tooth/3-tooth color match or color mismatch) were determined. RESULTS: Mean ∆E00 values for the same type teeth were less than 1.8 (p = 1). Mean ∆E00 values for different type teeth were mostly greater than 1.8 (p < 0.001), except for central and lateral teeth in middle (p = 0.29) and incisal (p = 0.75) regions and for lateral and canine teeth in cervical regions (p = 0.33). The 2-tooth color match showed the highest percentage (>50%). CONCLUSIONS: The same type teeth indicated color matches. Central and lateral teeth showed color matches in middle and incisal regions, while lateral and canine teeth disclosed color matches in cervical regions. The corresponding color coordinates of mismatched regions were linearly correlated. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In order to predict and determine the shade of maxillary anterior teeth and create natural colors for corresponding restorations, some tooth color relationships and equations are presented in this study.