An Assessment of the Shade Differences in the Anterior Teeth According to the Age and Gender, Using Commercially Available Shade Guide

Abstract

Objective: To assess the shade differences in the anterior teeth according to the age and gender using commercially available shade guide in the local populations of Hyderabad. Methodology: This cross sectional study comprised of 200 patients belonging to both genders ranging in age from 15 to 75 years, divided into four groups on the basis of chronological age: Group I: 15 to 30, group II: 31 to 45 , group III: 46 to 60 and group IV: 61 and onwards. Shade of the middle third of the labial surface of the anterior teeth was recorded visually using Vitapan® classical shade guide. Data was analyzed via SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics such as percentage, frequency distribution, cross tabulation and descriptive were included in Data analysis. The level of significance was set at <0.05. Results: This study revealed that the most common shade recorded was A2 (45%), followed by B2 (20%) and A3 (10%). Younger patients had lighter tooth shades. Shades were darker with increasing age. The most common shade selected in age group I and group II was A2 which were represented as 52.8% and 52.9% respectively. Among males, the most common shade was A2 (47.6%), followed by B2 (19.5%) and A3 (15.9%) whereas in females most common shade was A2 (43.2%), followed by B2 (20.3%) and A1 (10.2%). Conclusion: This study concluded that the tooth shade selection was strongly associated with both age and gender. Most common classical shade selected was A2. Shades were darker with the advancing age. Women’s teeth were lighter than the men’s. This information can be effective for fabrication of more life-like prosthesis