Relationship of Age, Gender and Skin Tone to Shades of Permanent Maxillary Central Incisors

The objective of this study was to correlate shades of teeth to skin color according to age and gender. The study sample comprised 200 patients ranging in age from 16 to 55 years, divided into four age groups of 50 each. Shade of middle third of labial surface of maxillary central incisor was recorded visually with the help of Vitapan 3D-Master shade guide under standardized lighting. Color of back of the hands was recorded with the help of Ideal Balance Quick Stick makeup shades, and divided into three skin tone groups. The paired samples T-test was applied at 95% confidence interval. Our results revealed a significant association (P<0.001) when either age or gender was correlated with shades of teeth and color of the skin. It was concluded that both tooth shade and skin color were strongly related with each other and with the age and gender of the patients. This information can be used effectively for fabrication of more life-like dentures.