Measurement and analysis of maxillary anterior teeth color in the chinese population

BACKGROUND: To measure the difference in the crown color of the maxillary anterior teeth in the Chinese population, to study its potential regularity, and to provide a reference for the colorimetry of oral anterior teeth restoration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using VITA Easyshade Advance4.0 spectrophotometer (the colorimetric system is CIE-1976-L*a*b*), adult patients who were treated in Sanming Integrated Medicine Hospital, Fujian Province, China, from January 2022 to June 2022 160 patients (88 males, 72 females, aged 20-60 years) were used as the survey subjects, and the L*a*b* of 1/3 of the crowns of 6 anterior teeth (central incisors, lateral incisors, canines) were measured Value, statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 26.0 software. RESULTS: The mean L* values of maxillary central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines in the Chinese population were: (73.02±4.41), (69.96±4.70), (65.14±4.21); the mean a* values were: (-0.54±4.21) 0.35), (0.22±0.63), (1.40±0.62), and the mean values of b* were: (14.50±3.23), (18.60±3.94), (23.64±3.30). 1. There was no significant difference in L*a*b* value between left and right symmetrical teeth with the same name (P>0.05). 2. There was no statistical difference in the L*a*b* value between genders (P>0.05), 3. There was a statistical difference in L*a*b* value between different tooth positions (P< 0.05). 4. There were significant differences in L*a*b* values in different age groups (P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 1. The color of the labial crown of maxillary anterior teeth in the Chinese population is related to different age groups and tooth positions but not gender. 2. In the Chinese population, the color of the maxillary anterior teeth on the labial side gradually decreased from the central incisor to the distal end of the dental arch while the chroma gradually increased. 3. With age increase, the L* and a* values of the upper central incisors, upper lateral incisors, and upper canines gradually decrease, and the b* value gradually increases. The teeth became darker, more yellow, and redder. 4. In the clinical colorimetry of the upper anterior teeth, the contralateral tooth with the same name is preferred. Suppose the tooth with the same name is missing at the same time. In that case, when using the adjacent teeth as a reference, the different brightness and chroma between the central incisors, lateral incisors, and canine teeth should be compared. Change trend to determine. 5. A uniform tooth color should not be selected for anterior restoration, and age should be considered when choosing a color for the patient. Key words:Upper anterior teeth, Crown color, CIE-1976-L*a*b*, spectrophotometric colorimeter.