The purpose of all-ceramic materials, like Ivoclar Vivadent’s IPS e.max, is to emulate the natural characteristics of the surrounding dentition. With a high level of translucency and light permeation, many factors can affect the final aesthetics.

With these materials, comes the added task of concealing the colour of the prepped tooth or the ‘stump shade’.  Therefore, without record of the stump shade, achieving acceptable aesthetics is made difficult, if not impossible.

If the stump shade is known at the time of fabrication, we can take steps to deliver a restoration that is aesthetically pleasing and accurate to the desired final shade. According to Ivoclar Vivadent, it has to be kept in mind that the final shade of the restoration is the result of the following individual shades:

• prep shade (stump shade)

• shade of the ingot

• shade of the layered ceramic

• shade of the cementation material

We will make the selection for ingot and layering ceramic based on the desired shade of the restoration and the stump shade provided.

Cement shade is frequently overlooked but has an equal impact on the final shade.  A white cement will be as noticeable within the fitted crown as a dark prep.

As with all restorations, the more information you provide to us at the laboratory the more accurate our restoration will be.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide us with the information with which to help you deliver satisfaction to your patients.