Prosthodontics & Occlusion · single question
A patient is having a fixed bridge placed and wants to keep an existing crown on tooth #10 (which is whiter/lighter than the natural teeth but satisfactory to the patient). The new crown on tooth #6 appears too light compared to the others. What shade property needs to be adjusted for tooth #6?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Value of tooth #6 (reduce lightness/brightness)
Value = the lightness or brightness of a color (light/dark scale). If crown #6 appears 'too light' compared to adjacent teeth, its VALUE is too high. Reducing the value (making it darker/less bright) will bring it into harmony with the surrounding natural teeth. Hue = color family (red, yellow, blue). Chroma = saturation/intensity of the color. Value is the property most noticeable in dental esthetics.
- A. CORRECT. If #6 appears too light, its value is too high. Lowering the value makes the crown appear darker and match the surrounding teeth better.
- B. Incorrect. The patient is satisfied with tooth #10's shade — adjusting it is not indicated.
- C. Incorrect. Chroma relates to saturation/intensity of color (grayish vs. vivid). The problem described (too light) is a value issue, not chroma.
- D. Incorrect. Tooth #1 (maxillary right central incisor) is not involved in the described problem.
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