If unsure about shade matching, what should be considered?

The proper approach to shade matching involves considering the overall aesthetic and visual harmony of the patient's smile. When unsure about which shade to select, choosing a shade that has less gray and less color saturation can be beneficial. This choice leans toward a more natural appearance. A shade with less gray often reflects a more vital tooth color, as natural teeth tend to exhibit a limited amount of gray. Additionally, less color saturation avoids making the restoration appear overly bright or artificial, which can happen if the shade is too vibrant compared to the natural teeth.

In contrast, selecting a shade that is more saturated or that adds a significant amount of gray can lead to restorations that stand out detrimentally against the natural teeth, creating an undesirable effect. Matching the same shade as an adjacent tooth is a common practice, but if there is uncertainty, defaulting to a less saturated and less gray option generally promotes a more seamless integration with the rest of the dentition. Choosing a brighter shade might draw attention and seem unnatural, highlighting discrepancies instead of blending well with the surrounding teeth.