Available online 14 April 2024

Author links open overlay panel, , , , AbstractStatement of problem

The comparative accuracy of different color-matching methods for maxillofacial prostheses is lacking.

Purpose

This clinical study aimed to compare prosthesis color matching using the conventional trial and error method with that using the maxillofacial spectrophotometer method.

Material and methods

Fifty-four Indian participants were enrolled based on skin color and divided into Light, Medium, and Dark groups (n=18). Silicone specimens of different thicknesses were fabricated using both the conventional trial and error and maxillofacial spectrophotometer coloration methods for all participants. The color match of the specimens with natural skin was assessed subjectively and objectively using expert consensus and fiber optic spectroscopy with the CIELab color difference formula, respectively. Statistical analyzes included the Shapiro-Wilk and independent sample t tests (α=.05).

Results

The mean ΔL* (white-black axis) value for the Skin-Conventional color match difference was significantly lower and positive compared with the Skin-Spectrophotometer match (P=.090) for the sample. The mean Δb* (yellow-blue axis) value for the Skin-Conventional color difference was significantly positive compared with the Skin-Spectrophotometer match (P=.020). The mean ΔE* (color difference) for the Skin-Conventional color match was significantly lower than the Skin-Spectrophotometer value (P=.034). Expert opinion as assessed with a visual analog scale found color matching using the conventional method (7.12) to be significantly better than with the spectrophotometer (6.30). A qualitative analysis of expert opinion revealed that conventional color matching should have been less red (34.3%) and that spectrophotometer matching should have been less yellow (30.1%).

Conclusions

Across different thicknesses of silicone and Indian skin shades, color matching was significantly better for the conventional versus the maxillofacial spectrophotometer method, both objectively and subjectively. The spectrophotometer match was significantly yellower and lighter than natural skin.

Section snippetsMATERIAL AND METHODS

The Institutional Ethics Committee approved the study (Ref. code: VI-PGTSC-IIA/P11). Participants of Indian ethnicity with no active skin disease were included after obtaining informed consent. Those with skin allergies, locomotion or neuromuscular disorders, and pregnant women were excluded. Fifty-four participants were enrolled by nonrandom sampling, such that there was an equal number in 3 broad categories of Indian skin shade (n=18): Light, Medium, and Dark. The sample size was based on

RESULTS

A comparison of mean ΔL* values for the Medium and Dark skin groups and overall sample (Table 1) determined ΔL to be negative and significantly larger for SKIN-SPECT compared with SKIN-CONV (−4.55 versus 3.29, −6.5 versus 3.50, −4.70 versus 2.97; P=.007, ≤.001,.009 respectively for Medium and Dark skin groups and overall sample). Also, ΔL* increased with an increase in the thickness of the specimens. Δa* comparison (Table 2) for SKIN-CONV with SKIN-SPECT for Light, Medium, and Dark skin groups

DISCUSSION

The null hypothesis that no difference in color matching would be found between the conventional trial and error method and spectrophotometer method for the Indian skin was rejected. The conventional trial and error method enables the clinician to verify and vary the color during the matching process,6 helping him/her to learn color theory without the need for an additional device or software program. The spectrophotometer approach, however, offers the benefits of reduced chairside time, less

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the findings of this clinical study, the following conclusions were drawn:

1.

The color difference between the skin and conventional color match was significantly less than between the skin and spectrophotometer color match. Color difference significantly increased with an increase in silicone thickness for both coloration methods.

2.

The spectrophotometer color matching was significantly lighter and yellower compared with the conventional trial and error method.

3.

The mean visual analog scale

PATIENT CONSENT

All participants were taken through the written informed consent process before being enrolled in the study.

References (22)S.S. Guttal et al.A study on reproducing silicone shade guide for maxillofacial prostheses matching Indian skin color

Indian J Dent Res

(2008)

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