Estimation of visual shade matching errors with 2 shade guides.

Objective: To compare the interobserver difference in visual shade matching and estimate the precision of color discrimination.

Method And Materials: Visual shade matching of a maxillary central incisor of 33 subjects was performed by 2 prosthodontists independently in a chair under ceiling daylight-corrected fluorescent lighting, using the Vitapan Classical and the Vitapan 3D Master shade guides (Vita Zahnfabrik). The 3 closest shade tabs were selected and ranked in order of best, second best, and third best matches.