In Vivo Evaluations of Inter-Observer Reliability Using VITA Easyshade (R) Advance 4.0 Dental Shade-Matching Device

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the inter-observer reliability of dental shade-matching device using an in vivo model. Materials and methods: Four observers who were well trained in color assessment and handling of the dental shade-matching device determined teeth color and CIE-Lab values on maxillary right central incisors in 10 patients with completely healthy and intact dentitions. VITA Easyshade((R)) Advance 4.0 shade-matching device was utilized to measure the central region of the labial surface of all investigated teeth, twice by each observer. The inter-observer reliability of the measurements was observed and deviations between Lab and E values between the observers were calculated. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to analyze inter-observer reliability. Results: One-way ANOVA showed no statistically significant differences in color measurement of four observers in all the measured values (p>0.05). Delta E values ranged from 3.018 to 5.234. Although some small differences existed, statistically significant differences between the observers were not found (p>0.05). Inter-observer ICCs were very high for all observers (from 0.651 to 0.992). Conclusion: Inter-examiner reliability of measurements using VITA Easyshade((R)) Advance 4.0 shade-matching device was acceptable. Apart from the digital equipment, a well trained observer seems to be crucial in order to achieve correct dental color measurement.