Shade Preference of Artificial Teeth in Denture Wearing Local Population- A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: No existing local literature and guidance is currently available regarding shade selection by the patients for artificial teeth set of complete denture. Results of studies done in other countries cannot be generalised in our local population; hence there is a need to know the desires of our population. Keeping this research question in mind, this study reflects the behavioural aspects and wishes of patients towards artificial teeth shades. Aim: To observe and compare the shade preferences of artificial teeth during complete denture fabrication in diverse sample of both male and female patients in two different dental colleges. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge, KM Shah Dental College and Hospital, Vadodara and Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Amritsar during the time period of May 2016 to September 2019. A total of 824 participants with complete denture treatment needs, participated from two different dental colleges. Upper anterior molds of Acry Rock (Ruthinium Dental Products Pvt., Ltd.,) acrylic teeth in 18 different shades of A1, A2, A3 A3.5, A4, B1, B2, B3, B4, C1, C2, C3, C4, D2, D3, D4, E1and F1 were used and participants were asked to choose aesthetically pleasing shades for themselves in both the colleges. The frequency distribution was recorded and compared using the Chi-square test for statistical analysis for preference of shades between male and female participants of two colleges. Results: The most preferred shades were A1, B1, D2 and E1 by both male and female participants in both the colleges and the shade selection was statistically significant (p-value=0.0018), while no statistically significant difference was seen in preference of shades between male and female participants at both the colleges. Conclusion: Patients primarily preferred the lighter shades with high values. This should be kept in mind during treatment planning to increase the psychological acceptance of aged patients towards artificial dentures.