Interdevice agreement of eight equivalent dental color measurement devices

Abstract

Objectives: The reproducibility of electronic color-measuring devices used in dentistry refers to the consistency of measurements of a single device and also that between identical devices. This in vitro study evaluated the short-term interdevice agreement of eight equivalent dental measurement devices.

Methods: The short-term repeatability of eight identical VITA Easyshade Advance color measurement devices was evaluated. Each device was used to quantify the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) L*a*b* color coordinates of ceramic disks, designed in accordance with guidelines set by the VITA Toothguide 3D-Master shade tab organization. Statistical analysis involved calculating the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and color differences (ΔE*) for corresponding measurements taken by the devices. In addition, the mean color difference from the mean (MCDM) was calculated for each color.

Results: All devices showed high ICCs for the color coordinates (L = 0.996, a = 0.993, b = 0.999). The ΔE* by shade ranged from 0.62 to 1.67. The MCDM by color-measuring device ranged from 0.11 to 0.23.

Conclusion: This in vitro study showed that the color-measuring devices used were suitable for determining shade with high repeatability.

Clinical relevance: The high interdevice agreement of the VITA Easyshade Advance means that dental professionals can use this device independently, without compromising the consistency and quality of color measurements.

Keywords: CIE L*a*b*; Color measurement; Interdevice agreement; Spectrophotometer; VITA Easyshade Advance.