# Prevalence, satisfaction and preference of tooth shades and their correlation with age, gender and skin shade: A cross sectional study

## TL;DR

This study examines tooth shade preferences and satisfaction across age, gender, and skin shade, finding a strong preference for Value 2 shades.

## Contribution

The study identifies a universal preference for Value 2 tooth shades across diverse demographics, offering insights for dental shade selection.

## Key findings

- Value 2 was the most common and desired tooth shade among participants.
- Participants aged 41 to 50 showed the highest satisfaction with their tooth shades.
- Significant differences in shade satisfaction were observed among males.

## Abstract

Shade selection is one of the most important factors that determines the satisfaction of the patient with the dental prosthesis and thus the overall success of the treatment. Conventional methods of shade selection require the presence of existing teeth or past dental/photographic records. In the absence of these, shade selection becomes challenging and must be done subjectively and arbitrarily based on the patient’s age and sex. This study aims to assess the prevalence, satisfaction, and preference of tooth shades, investigating their correlation with age, sex, and skin shade in a diverse sample of 120 participants.

A total of 120 participants, evenly distributed among 60 males and 60 females, were surveyed. Participants were categorized into age groups (n=15) and asked about their satisfaction with existing tooth shades and their preferences.

The most common existing tooth shade was Value 2 (52.5%).

Statistical analysis using Chi-square tests revealed that Value 2 was the most desired shade among males and females alike, particularly in the age group of 41 to 50 years (p < 0.001).

Shade 2L1.5 was the most prevalent (n=26), with Value 2 (59.16%) being the most sought-after shade, followed by Shade 2L1.5 (n=21), Shade 2M1 (n=18), Shade 1M1 (n=15), and Shade 2R1.5 (n=14).

Existing tooth shades of Value 0 were the least common.

The highest satisfaction with existing shades was observed in males aged 41 to 50 (n=15), followed by males aged 51 to 60 (n=14) and females aged 31 to 40 (n=12) and 41 to 50 (n=12). Significant differences in satisfaction were noted among males (p < 0.001).

This study reveals a consistent and strong preference among both males and females for tooth shades classified as Value 2, following the VITA Tooth-Guide 3D Master shade guide. This universal preference suggests the relevance and acceptance of this shade category across diverse patient groups.