--- title: Your guide to the Dentin shade description: When you want to deliver an all-ceramic restoration, don’t overlook the Dentin shade as another tool for patient satisfaction. --- [Skip to the main content.](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/guide-dentin-shade#main-content) 408 255 1020 | info@caldentalarts.com [![CDA-Logo-horizontal_reversed](https://caldentalarts.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/CDA-Logo-horizontal_reversed.png?width=1191&height=200&name=CDA-Logo-horizontal_reversed.png "CDA-Logo-horizontal_reversed")](https://caldentalarts.com) [![CDA-Logo-web](https://caldentalarts.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logos/CDA-Logo-web.png?width=1191&height=200&name=CDA-Logo-web.png "CDA-Logo-web")](https://caldentalarts.com) - Lab Solutions - Departments - [Crown and Bridge](https://caldentalarts.com/crown-and-bridge) - [Implants](https://caldentalarts.com/implants) - [Removables](https://caldentalarts.com/removables) - [Advanced Prosthetics](https://caldentalarts.com/advanced-prosthetics) - Chairside Technology - [CDA Connect](https://caldentalarts.com/cda-connect) - [3D Printing](https://caldentalarts.com/asiga) - [CBCT Scanning](https://caldentalarts.com/carestream) - [Design Software](https://caldentalarts.com/exocad) - Resources - [Articles](https://caldentalarts.com/articles) - [Send a case](https://caldentalarts.com/send-a-case) - [Events](https://caldentalarts.com/events) - [Rx Forms](https://caldentalarts.com/hubfs/pdfs/CDA%20Rx%20Forms.pdf) - [Customer Login](https://secured.caldentalarts.com/login.aspx) - [Contact](https://caldentalarts.com/contact) Toggle Menu Toggle Menu - Lab Solutions - Departments - [Crown and Bridge](https://caldentalarts.com/crown-and-bridge) - [Implants](https://caldentalarts.com/implants) - [Removables](https://caldentalarts.com/removables) - [Advanced Prosthetics](https://caldentalarts.com/advanced-prosthetics) - Chairside Technology - [CDA Connect](https://caldentalarts.com/cda-connect) - [3D Printing](https://caldentalarts.com/asiga) - [CBCT Scanning](https://caldentalarts.com/carestream) - [Design Software](https://caldentalarts.com/exocad) - Resources - [Articles](https://caldentalarts.com/articles) - [Send a case](https://caldentalarts.com/send-a-case) - [Events](https://caldentalarts.com/events) - [Rx Forms](https://caldentalarts.com/hubfs/pdfs/CDA%20Rx%20Forms.pdf) - [Customer Login](https://secured.caldentalarts.com/login.aspx) - [Contact](https://caldentalarts.com/contact) [Facebook](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/guide-dentin-shade#0) [Instagram](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/guide-dentin-shade#0) [Linkedin](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/guide-dentin-shade#0) #### Departments - [Crown and Bridge](https://caldentalarts.com/crown-and-bridge) - [Implants](https://caldentalarts.com/implants) - [Removables](https://caldentalarts.com/removables) - [Advanced Prosthetics](https://caldentalarts.com/advanced-prosthetics) #### Chairside Technology - [CDA Connect](https://caldentalarts.com/cda-connect) - [3D Printing](https://caldentalarts.com/asiga) - [CBCT Scanning](https://caldentalarts.com/carestream) - [Design Software](https://caldentalarts.com/exocad) #### Resources - [Send a case](https://caldentalarts.com/send-a-case) - [Articles](https://caldentalarts.com/articles) - [Events](https://caldentalarts.com/events) 1 min read # Your guide to the Dentin shade [California Dental Arts](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/author/california-dental-arts) Jul 28, 2025, 10:14:23 AM [Case communication](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/tag/case-communication) When you want to deliver an all-ceramic restoration, don’t overlook the Dentin shade as another tool for patient satisfaction. Making a crown without knowing about a dark Dentin shade can create a challenging situation. Before you send another case back for a remake, see how the overall esthetic result of an all-ceramic restoration is influenced by the shade of the preparation, shade of the restoration and shade of the cementation material. **Shade of the preparation** All-ceramic restorations pick up the shade attributes of the underlying Dentin. Determining the color of the prepped surface is a critical component to achieving a properly shade-matched restoration, especially in cases of severe discoloration. Only if the dentist determines the shade of the preparation and passes it onto the lab can the desired esthetics be achieved. Since certain shade ranges may not work with all-ceramic crowns, talk to the lab about materials that can achieve an esthetic result for your patient. Use the [Ivoclar shade guide to determine the color of the prepped surface. ](http://www.ivoclarvivadent.com/en/p/all/products/all-ceramics/ips-emax-dentist/shade-determination) **Shade of the restoration** Along with the Dentin shade, the lab needs to know the shade of the final restoration. After tooth cleaning, the shade of the non-prepared tooth and/or the adjacent teeth can be determined. When the lab knows these two shades, they can build the final restoration to match all the other teeth. For difficult shades, you may want to send the patient to the lab for a custom shade. However, if that is not an option, you will want to provide your lab with pictures if possible. For more information on taking patient photos, read our [secrets to taking better case pictures](https://www.caldentalarts.com/case-pictures/). Use [VITA shade management tools](https://vitanorthamerica.com/products/shade-management/shade-management-overview/) to determine the shade of the final restoration. **Shade of the cementation material** One of the most exciting aspects of newer cements is the ability to make small cosmetic shade adjustments simply by selecting the right cement. Adjusting the Dentin shade chairside can help prevent the need for another appointment, saving you valuable time and making your patient happy. You have the option of addressing the Dentin shade with a line of cements that shade-correct and help block out the color of a dark Dentin. Use washable try-in paste for color matching, and even try mixing colors to achieve the desired result. Use these cements from [Cosmodent](http://www.cosmedent.com/shop-by-department/resin-cements/), [Ivoclar](http://www.ivoclarvivadent.us/en-us/p/all/products/luting-material/) and [3M™ RelyX™](http://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/?N=5002385+8710731+8711017+8713393+3294857497&rt=r3) to make chairside shade adjustments. ### We’re here to make dentistry easier. #### **Find a lab partner you can rely on.** [![

Request Our Price List

](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/23292303/interactive-198997483930.png)](https://caldentalarts.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJYDy2VUl8%2FT%2FF0uczReXVYBPP6TW54ZSWzRNJpIcO9mW1bbEUDuotizRcG4PKBGxB7tskTJw1v1eZ8RxjOlYh5%2FMnu%2B7gf%2BpRgzH59K5KlMB9bJcMFMPkJwbwaZ581SQnALTZMj92o%2FxS2XokOR2dQ8aBcIC4bkMYUn81aQpK%2FiGngHkt7aQOkY4860g%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=198997483930&portalId=23292303) 1 min read #### [Case Sterilization Tips](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/case-sterilization-tips) [California Dental Arts](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/author/california-dental-arts) : Jul 28, 2025, 9:57:40 AM Case Sterilization for the lab and office Case sterilization in the office as well as the lab is extremely important. Last year, California... [Quality control](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/tag/quality-control) [Case communication](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/tag/case-communication) [Read More](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/case-sterilization-tips) #### [All-on-X, Simplified: A Smarter Approach to Full-Arch Restorations](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/all-on-x-simplified-a-smarter-approach-to-full-arch-restorations) [California Dental Arts](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/author/california-dental-arts) : Sep 4, 2025, 7:00:00 AM [Lab relationship](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/tag/lab-relationship) [Combination cases](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/tag/combination-cases) [Case communication](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/tag/case-communication) [Products](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/tag/products) [services](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/tag/services) [AOX](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/tag/aox) [Read More](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/all-on-x-simplified-a-smarter-approach-to-full-arch-restorations) #### [In-house abutment and bar design](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/abutment-bar-design) [California Dental Arts](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/author/california-dental-arts) : Jul 28, 2025, 10:07:03 AM If you spend time on our blog, you’ll know that California Dental Arts is a stickler for precision. That’s why we design abutments, crowns and... [Case communication](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/tag/case-communication) [Read More](https://caldentalarts.com/articles/abutment-bar-design) ![CDA-Logo-horizontal_reversed](https://caldentalarts.com/hubfs/logos/CDA-Logo-horizontal_reversed.png) - [Disclaimer](https://caldentalarts.com/privacy-policy-0) - [Privacy Policy](https://caldentalarts.com/privacy-policy) - [Terms of Service](https://caldentalarts.com/terms-of-service) © 2026 California Dental Arts, Inc. | 408 255 1020 | info@caldentalarts.com [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/caldentalarts)[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/california.dental.arts/)[Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/3010107/admin/) Return to top ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "California Dental Arts", "url" : "https://caldentalarts.com/articles/author/california-dental-arts" }, "dateModified" : "2025-11-24T18:25:30.406Z", "datePublished" : "2025-07-28T17:14:23.000Z", "headline" : "Your guide to the Dentin shade", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://caldentalarts.com/articles/guide-dentin-shade", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://caldentalarts.com/hubfs/logos/CDA-Logo-web.png" }, "name" : "California Dental Arts" } } ```