Assessing The Effectiveness Of Shade Matching Using Visual Technique And Smartphone Application

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to assess and compare the effectiveness of shade matching using visual method and a smartphone application in tooth shade matching.

Materials and Methods:A comparative observational study was conducted to evaluate the shade matching accuracy of the Colorimeter - Color Analysis smart phone application versus the conventional visual method. A total of 76 participants requiring shade matching for dental procedures were selected based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Shade matching with visual method was done by three observers and data was recorded. Shade matching using Colorimeter – Color Analysis app was done by matching the L, a, and b values with predetermined L, a, and b values of the Vita Classical shade guide. The two sets of results were then compiled for comparison to assess the correlation and agreement between the two shade-matching methods. The statistical analysis was performed and Fleiss’ Kappa & Cronbach’s Alpha were applied for Inter-observer Reliability Analysis and individual shade matching. Cohen’s Kappa was applied for intra-observer Reliability Analysis. The intraclass correlation test was employed to evaluate the accuracy of shade matching between observers across both techniques. A p-value of less than 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.

Results:The results showed that Inter-Observer reliability among observers for Conventional Method (Kappa value 0.888, Cronbach’s Alpha – 0.926) and App Method (Kappa value 0.845, Cronbach’s Alpha – 0.939) was high; and Intraclass correlation for shade matching between Conventional method (0.806) and App method (0.837) showed significant results.

Conclusion:Smartphone application Colorimeter – Color Analysis can be used as an alternative to visual method for shade matching.