Evaluation of self shade matching ability of dental students using visual and instrumental means.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of dental students to match the shade of their own teeth.

Methods: Fifty female dental students in the College of Dentistry at King Saud University, who had not received any formal dental training in color science or shade matching procedures, were screened for color deficiencies and selected to participate in the study. Each subject and three clinicians selected independently the closest match for the subjects' own right or left sound maxillary central incisors under controlled viewing conditions, using VITA classical shade guide (VITA Zahnfabrik GmbH, Bad Säckingen, Germany).