Custom Shades

Custom shading is offered here at the lab for those difficult shades especially in the anterior.  Matching a single central is challinging.  If it is right the first time then we're lucky I have always said...  Most of the time we invite the patient back with the crowns in place but not cemented.  We then color as needed and add highlights to enhance the charectization of the patients teeth regardless if is a single central or not.  

Implant abutments are also a challenge.  The abutment can throw a shade off depending on restoative material, hue of abutment, placement of an abutment and thickness of the crown on the abutment.  Implants can be as challenging as the single central at times.  

Our process is to see the patient at the lab.  Match closely to either a Vita 3D guide, a traditional Vita Lumin guide or Ivoclar Bleach guide.  Once we have a close tab match we add a dental shade coloring to the guide to enhance as needed.  Multiple closeup photos are then taken and printed on a high res photo printer.  The now custom shade tab and the photos stay with the case for our ceramists to use during color and glazing of the final restoation.

We have been asked to store the custom guides here at the lab instead of returning those with the case but we do include the photos when delivering the case.

Our fees are $100 for a custom shade and $200 for the single central shade.  These fees cover the cost of the tab which are now over $50 - $60 from Vita to replace.  It also covers the time in taking the photos and printing.  We also gurantee the shade to match, but as with any shade matching it may need a bit of a tweek or in some cases completley remilled with a different material.   

We let the patient know at the end of the shade appoitment that this may occurr.  We let them know the process that we will deleiver the custom shaded crown(s) to their dentist.  The dentist will try them in.  If all is good the crowns will be cemented/bonded at that time.  If they need additioanal coloring the dentist will leave the crown(s) loose and they wil return to the lab.  We let them know to expect 2 hrs for this appointment.  We color the crown(s) chairside and then fire them.  Each firing takes approx 30 min and we typically do two firings.  So to allow enough time for the coloring, glazing and checking at least twice we say allow 2 hours.

Custom shades are to be scheduled and we ask to not have the patient come directly after their appoint to give time for their teeth to rehydrate, typically 1-2 hrs.  Next day is always best or even before their appointment.  We have found if they come to early typically we see some decacification present.  Some patients are more prone than others.  We have approximatley 3-5 days before we actually need the shade since the case has to go through modeling and design before it is ready to mill, so the patient has some flexiblity with the timing of the appoitment.  

If any questions feel free to call the lab at 217-398-0090 or text 217-398-0090.