A Survey on Variability in Shade Selection by Practicing Dentists

Purpose: To evaluate the variability in shade selection for general practitioners (GPs) and postgraduate (MDS) practitioners and to assess if a shade selection bias exists. Materials and Methods: 2070 samples of the chosen shade(s) by 31 GPs and 18 MDS practitioners in the form of work authorization forms and slips were collected from dental laboratories. The mouth was divided into four quadrants: maxillary anteriors and posteriors, and mandibular anteriors and posteriors. The data was grouped and analyzed. Results: The same shade or combination was repeated by the GPs and the MDS practitioners 38% and 35% of the time, respectively. The GP group prescribed a single shade in 84% of cases and a combination of two shades per tooth in 14% of cases, in contrast to the MDS practitioners, who prescribed a single shade in 51% of cases and two shades in 47% of cases. Conclusion: A shade selection bias exists among both general and MDS practitioners, as a particular shade or combination was repeated a significant number of times. However, MDS practitioners use a combination of two shades more frequently than general practitioners, who rely mostly on a single shade for a tooth.