Evaluation of different color measurement methods for determining tooth color.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to develop software at a low cost that enables the detection of tooth colors by capturing photographs using various devices, and to compare its effectiveness with existing expensive methods.

Material and methods: A total of 60 anterior central incisor teeth from 30 individuals were included in the study. The CIELAB values (L,a,b) of each tooth were measured using a spectrophotometer, which is considered the gold standard. Subsequently, photographs of the teeth were taken using four different smartphones (iPhone- Xiaomi) and one digital camera (Canon). These images were then subjected to image processing techniques and compared with measurements obtained through computer-based analysis in order to assess the correlation. Data with three or more groups, the Kruskal-Wallis H test was utilized, and multiple comparisons were conducted using the Dunn test. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered.

Results: Upon examining the results of multiple comparisons, a statistically significant difference was observed (p<0.001) between the DeltaE values obtained from the camera of the iPhone and those obtained from the Canon DSLR and Xiaomi cameras. The iPhone cameras yielded result values ranging from 2.68 to 2.90 for DeltaE.

Conclusions: It is reported that color determination methods based on image processing of photographs taken with iPhone mobile phones could potentially gain an advantageous position in routine clinical practice, as compared to spectrophotometry.