• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.299-304
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of different experience level and different light source on shade selection ability comparing prosthodontist group and dental student group under 4,000 K and 5,500 K light. Materials and methods: After color difference of Vitapan 3D-master shade guides was measured, 3 sets of 5 shade tabs were selected with similar value but have different chroma (set a, b, c). Also 3 sets of 5 shade tabs were selected with similar chroma but have different values (set d, e, f). Under 4,000 K and 5,500 K light sources, ten prosthodontists and ten dental students were allowed to match in one set of 5 tabs the same shade tab with the tab which was originally selected in the other set of 5 tabs. Color differences of original tab and matched tab were measured by spectrophotometer and the shade selection ability was evaluated with those data. Evaluation of color difference value was performed in regard to different light conditions and different level of experience, followed by t-test with 95% confidence interval. Results: Color difference values under 4,000 K and 5,500 K light source were $1.62{\pm}2.0$, and $1.33{\pm}1.7$ respectively. In addition, color difference values of prosthodontist group and dental student group were $1.34{\pm}1.7$, and $1.61{\pm}2.0$ respectively. Difference of shade selection ability was not found under either different light sources (P=.398), or different experience level (P=.221). Conclusion: Level of experience did not affect on the shade selection ability when prosthodontists and dental students matched the shades with the same shade tab under the same light source.