Tooth Shade and Skin Colour: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Selection of proper tooth shade is one of the most significant factors influencing patients' aesthetic perception and improved prosthesis acceptance. Guidelines in the dental literature suggest age, sex, colour of skin, hair and eye for selecting tooth shade when past records cannot be obtained. The objective of the study was to find out the prevalence of the most common tooth shade in relation to the skin colour and the prevalence of the same in relation to age and sex.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Kathmandu Medical College from June to August 2019. Vitapan Classical Shade guide was used to select the shade of upper right central incisor in 338 participants. Revlon Foundation Makeup Shade guide was used to determine colour of skin. Participants were examined without facial makeup. Skin colour and teeth shade were examined in daylight at about the same time of the day. Data obtained were computed and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2016 software.

Results: Prevalence of tooth shade with high value (lighter shade) was seen in all fair 121 (35.8%), medium 63 (18.6%) and dark skin tones 23 (6.8%). Most common teeth shade in fair individuals was B1 47 (37.9%), in medium also B1 25 (7.4%) and dark was B2 9 (2.7%). Age range of 10 to 35 years had tooth shade with higher value 159 (47.04%).

Conclusions: Hence, teeth shade with high value (lighter shade) was prevalent in skin tone of all types in current study. Skin tone was not related to teeth shade selection, teeth became darker with age and females had lighter teeth shade (high value).