Proven for over 20 years: Shade determination with VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER
Twenty years ago, the Teuber Dental laboratory in Darmstadt made an important decision: They would only use the VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER color system (VITA Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany) for tooth shade determination, both in the laboratory and with customers. Laboratory owner and master dental technician, Hans Jürgen Lange (Darmstadt, Germany), was involved in the development and testing phase for the VITA Linearguide 3D-MASTER shade system for systematic shade determination, and had already been exposed to the benefits of this modern system early on. In the following interview, he explains why implementing the VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER shade guide has continued to be successful for him.
DV: What sets VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER apart from the VITA classical A1–D4 shade guide?
Hans Jürgen Lange: Because VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER covers the entire range of tooth shades, it is easier to determine the right shade for a tooth. The VITA Linearguide 3D-MASTER helps me and my customers determine the right tooth shade systematically in just two steps. In comparison, the VITA classical A1 and D4 shade guides only offer a Yes/No decision and a more limited selection of shades.
DV: What advantages does VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER offer practices and laboratories?
Hans Jürgen Lange: It has made shade communication easier between dentists and dental technicians. Information on tooth shades can be expressed more precisely with VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER. I get more accurate information on shade reproduction from the dentist.
DV: What success have you had in implementing VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER in your own laboratory?
Hans Jürgen Lange: We are now able to work more economically, as complaints about shading are virtually down to zero since we decided to implement the modern shade system. In the past, 10 to 20 percent of our cases required time-consuming shade corrections. Because we now only work with this shade standard, we have also been able to significantly reduce our inventory.
DV: How does VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER support you with fabricating restorations?
Hans Jürgen Lange: Because we only use VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER, we only work with materials that are available with 3D-MASTER shades. That means that the employees don't have to constantly switch back and forth between different material systems. That provides more certainty, more consistency and higher quality.
DV: How is the process of tooth shade determination normally organized in your practices?
Hans Jürgen Lange: We continue to transition all of our new clients to the VITA SYSTEM 3D-MASTER. We provide them with a new shade range in exchange for their old one, and we show them how the systematic tooth shade determination works in just two steps. Concerning the esthetics of the front teeth, we determine each individual tooth shade in a special room in our laboratories. This has proven to be very successful.
