The Effectiveness of Training for a Spectrophotometer Color Matching System

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of training dental technicians (DTs) on the use of a spectrophotometer (Olympus, Japan) during the process of crown fabrication to improve clinical crown acceptance. METHODS: Forty-eight subjects (27 female) in need of a maxillary central incisor metal-ceramic crown were recruited for this study. Subjects ranged in age from 19 to 64 years, with a median of 31.6 yrs (Caucasion:43%, Asian:27%, Hispanic:15%, and African-American:15%). Five DTs with 5-20yrs of experience had lectures with demonstrations on the spectrophotometer. Twenty-six crowns were fabricated during a training period in which DTs were present for crown try-in and were given color match data and pictures of their crowns. Twenty-two crowns were evaluated with no feedback to the DTs in the post-training period. Three prosthodontists were calibrated to evaluate the metal-ceramic crowns on a scale of 1-10. A score of ³8 was considered a clinically acceptable match. Ratios of accepted to rejected crowns were calculated for the training period and the post training period. RESULTS: 17 of 26, 65% of crowns were rated as clinically acceptable during the training period. 21 of 22, 95% of crowns were rated as clinically acceptable in the post- training period. The mean evaluation score was 7.9 ± 0.71 for the training period and 9.3 ± 0.60 for the post-training period. CONCLUSION: Training of DTs improved their ability to produce crowns rated as clinically acceptable.