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Dentistry’s New Digital Shade Scan
Mapping The Shades…With A Single Click!

New York, N.Y. — Dental patients will no longer have to leave the doctor’s office in fear that one or more of their crowns, veneers or replacement restorations will not match the rest of their pearly whites. The once very labor intensive process of using little color buttons or shade tabs held next to a tooth to create the desired color, has been replaced with a highly effective and precise method called “digital shade taking.” Dr. Clifford Williams, a Manhattan cosmetic and restorative dentist, is one of the first in the country to use this digital technology called the Cynovad Shade Scan?. Not only does this create less of a margin of error but makes the dentist completely subjective to the exact color of the tooth. Dr. Williams states, “the general public thinks that there is one bland color of a tooth, when in actuality, there are a multitude of colors.” An interesting point to note is that according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, there is a 12% color blind factor in the male population today, and only a half of 1% of females are color blind. In actuality, 12% of today’s dentists are color blind and probably 90% of this 12% don’t even know it. This could mean that the dentist would have to construct a crown possibly two or three times before it is accurate and aesthetically pleasing to the patient. As technology has progressed, so has the method of creating a faster more accurate representation of color.

BENEFITS OF DIGITAL SHADE TAKING

Digital technology cuts down on shade adjustment time as well as patient wait time. This hand held “digital shade taking device” is held up to the tooth, and by using artificial vision technology, the Shade Scan measures, maps and communicates the essential parameters of the tooth color of the patient. Digital Shading allows for a constant and accurate feed of light source on the tooth at all times. “In return, the outcome is a standard color because the light source is being generated directly from the shade taking device. There is the same light illumination at all times, and this is the only way you can standardize the color, giving a much better interpretation,” states Dr. Williams.

Once the picture of the tooth is taken, it is saved on a compact flash card, uploaded into the computer and printed out. A colorimeter, the software inside of the Shade Scan, determines the accurate measurement of color. The entire process from start to finish is done in less than one minute. Not only does this method make shade measurement objective and consistent, it allows for a digital record of shades.

Digital shade taking brings good news for those patients with replacements who are interested in receiving cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening. According to Dr. Williams, “The porcelain companies have become very sophisticated. They have developed an ‘extended shade range’ (bleaching shade guide) because bleached teeth are in a different color spectrum than the standard shade guides.” Over the past couple of years, the Shade Scan has revolutionized the way color images are taken of teeth. As technology continues to perfect itself, so has the art of making the most accurately color-matched crown and the most satisfied patients!

ABOUT DR. CLIFFORD WILLIAMS

Clifford Williams, DMD, FACD, is one of the nation's top dentists specializing in restorative and aesthetic dentistry. Located in the heart of Manhattan in Rockefeller Center, Dr. Williams is a leader and innovator among his peers in dental implants, crowns, porcelain veneers, bonding, bleaching, and may other medical and cosmetic procedures. He is one of a select few dentists voted by his peers to enter the elite American Academy of Restorative Dentistry.

He is a consultant to several dental companies including BRS Computing, Caulk/Densply Corporation, Pain Suppression Laboratory, Online Computers, Americus Dental Laboratory and MHT International Dental Lab. In addition, Dr. Williams is the High Technology Editor of Periodontal Practice and Aesthetic Dentistry magazine and author of dozens of articles on dental technology and advancements. He is also a nationally recognized presenter and speaker on new techniques and technology.

Dr. Williams is on the World Wide Web at www.drcliffordwilliams.com.

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