Fundamentals of Color: Shade Matching and Communiation in Esthetic Dentistry

Providing patients with a natural-looking smile is an important goal for the dental professional. However, obtaining an accurate shade match for restorations can be a difficult and frustrating experience. This book explains the basic science and art of color to help the reader better understand the mechanics involved in the shade-matching process. Moreover, it details the myriad clinical elements that can affect the perception of color. The authors also present easy-to-follow protocols for both conventional and technology-based shade matching, including tips for communicating with the lab technician and a recommended protocol that combines both approaches. Twelve case studies demonstrate this combined approach, which improves productivity and clinical success by allowing the clinician to achieve an accurate and esthetic shade match, in most cases with only one fabrication.

Stephen J. Chu, DMD, MSD, CDT, MDT, received his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and his master's degree in restorative dentistry and postgraduate certificate in fixed prosthodontics from the University of Washington School of Dentistry. He subsequently obtained certification as a dental technician in ceramics and as a master dental technician. He currently serves as an associate professor and director of esthetic education in the Department of Prosthodontics at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He publishes and lectures worldwide on the subjects of esthetic, restorative, and implant dentistry.
Alessandro Devigus, Dr MED DENT, graduated from the University of Zurich (Switzerland) Dental School, where he is currently a CEREC instructor. He is editor-in-chief of the European Journal of Esthetic Dentistry, president of the Neue Gruppe, and an ITI fellow.
Rade D. Paravina, DDS, MS, PhD, is Acting Director of the Houston Center for Biomaterials and Biomimetics and is an associate professor at University of Texas Health Dental Branch at Houston. He is founder and former president of the Society for Color and Appearance in Dentistry and editor of the Journal for Color and Appearance in Dentistry. He also serves as an editorial board member for the Journal of Dentistry, Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, the American Journal of Dentistry, and several other peer-reviewed journal. Dr Paravina lectures nationally and internationally on various topics associated with color and appearance in esthetic dentistry.
Adam J. Mieleszko, CDT, graduated in 1997 from New York City Technical College with a degree in dental laboratory technology. In 2000, he earned certification in dental ceramics. Since 2005, he has been a technical instructor at New York University College of Dentistry.