Digital SLR Shade Determination and Cross Polarisation

Introductions: This presentation aims to show the role of dental macrophotography and cross polarised photography in shade determination, communication with the laboratory to show morphology to the dental technician, and inner structure and textures of the tooth, especially when we have to make a frontal tooth ceramic restoration. This presentation also shows the role of chairside macro dental photography when we make a direct composite restoration. This presentation also reveals that by using cross polarised photography, we can see and define the correct shade of the tooth, because cross polarised photography removes reflections of light from the surface of the tooth, so we also can see the internal structure of the tooth, its shape, positioning of mamelons, and translucency. Also, if we are going to us PC software to edit the cross-polarised photo that we have stored in the .raw file format, then these features will be highlighted, so we will have a clearer vision of opalescence, intensiveness, and characterisations such as halo, chromatic spots, fissures, and cracks. Conclusion: The usage of macro dental photography in combination with cross-polarised filter and proper editing of .raw files allow us to better see the tooth structure and enables us a better communication with the laboratory. It also enables us to choose the natural forms, the same colour, and gives us opportunities to make hidden direct or indirect restorations. Keywords: dental photography, shade determination, cross polarisation photography