Prosthodontics & Occlusion · single question
How do you choose the color of a patient's crown?
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Correct answer: A. Use the patient's natural teeth at eye level with ambient light
- A. Shade selection for crown fabrication should be done: (1) AT EYE LEVEL (the shade guide and tooth at the same horizontal level), (2) Under AMBIENT/NATURAL LIGHT (or standardized dental shade light — NOT the operatory light), (3) BEFORE any tooth preparation or rubber dam application (which can dehydrate teeth and make them appear lighter), (4) With teeth HYDRATED, (5) Having the patient REMOVE or neutralize bright lip colors. 'Using the patient's eyes' (at eye level) is the key phrase from the source.
- B. Drying teeth makes them appear LIGHTER — shade selection should be done on hydrated teeth.
- C. Operatory lights can alter color perception — shade selection should be done under ambient/daylight conditions.
- D. While patient preference is considered, scientific shade matching principles (value, hue, chroma) under appropriate conditions are required for accurate shade selection.
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