As you know, tooth enamel is injured every day. It is regularly exposed to the harmful effects of drinks, food, and other products passing through the oral cavity that destroy it. In normal condition, the teeth have a white tint, which indicates their health and the absence of the need for treatment.
But all sorts of deviations from this norm in the form of an unpleasant yellowish plaque indicate the formation of harmful factors that can provoke the occurrence of health problems. To determine the true color of enamel makes it possible to use a special Vita scale.
A little information
It is this device that helps dentists identify all kinds of defects and distinguish between healthy and damaged teeth. Initially, this simple table was used to determine the shade of future orthopedic structures. But as soon as whitening systems arose in dentistry, an accurate assessment of the preliminary and final effect of enamel clarification became impossible to imagine without such a cunning invention as the Vita scale.
What determines the natural color
The natural shade of the teeth depends on numerous conditions:
- genetics;
- predispositions to various diseases;
- compliance with basic hygiene;
- consumption of certain drinks and food;
- bone strength level.
Due to the fact that for the most part enamel consists of inorganic elements, its color from nature in each person can vary significantly. Moreover, the teeth themselves can be completely healthy and not damaged.
Background to color change
Usually only a few are lucky owners of a dazzling smile on the planet. Enamel often darkens for various reasons, the main ones are:
- illiterate cleaning;
- excessive consumption of caffeine-based drinks;
- smoking cigarettes;
- age-related changes;
- various pathologies;
- eating foods containing dyes;
- deficiency of essential vitamins;
- excess of certain minerals.
What is a scale?
To determine the shade of enamel, dentists use a special table. In fact, the Vita scale is an ordinary list with images, simplifying the visual perception of the color of the teeth, with symbols of letters and numbers. It is customary to use such a table not only in Russia, but throughout Europe.
The Vita scale of tooth colors is the most popular dental instrument in the world. It is produced in various forms and from different materials:
- paper;
- plastic;
- laminated cardboard;
- ceramics.
Visually, this device is a kind of rail, to which several categories of tooth models that differ from each other are attached:
- A - red-brown colors.
- In - red-yellow.
- C is gray.
- D - red-gray.
In addition, to the right of these letters are also numbers that indicate brightness: 1 - the most saturated color, and 4 - the most dim. Thus, on the Vita scale, first of all, the letter variety of the shade is determined, and then its digital designation.
In what cases is used
The scale of shades of Vita is used by dentists to determine the natural tone, as well as to identify all kinds of pathologies and defects. If a significant difference from the norm is detected, the doctor will begin appropriate therapy. In other words, the Vita tooth color scale is a kind of hint that helps at the time of visual examination of patients.
This device is not always used by dentists, but only when there is a certain need. For example, when a patient wants to whiten his enamel or to heal a natural smile by leveling it. In addition, the Vita scale may be required by the doctor at the time of selection and installation of ceramic implants. In general, the scope of this tool is quite wide.
How are tooth shades determined on a Vita scale
After examining the patient, the first thing that the dentist will pay attention to is the color and brightness of the enamel. It is for this that he will need a scale that is used as an auxiliary tool. It presents exhibitors of several different categories. First of all, the dentist will find out which of these groups the colors of the enamel being examined belong to, and will conduct a comparative analysis. In this way, some abnormalities that require appropriate therapy are diagnosed.
For a sufficiently accurate determination of the shade, the patient should prepare in advance by cleansing his teeth from plaque accumulated during the day. However, often this is not enough, and the dentist has to additionally carry out mechanical cleaning. Only after this simple event will the dentist be able to determine the natural color of teeth on the Vita scale and give appropriate instructions for caring for them without any problems.
As you know, the incisors of each person have different shades in different departments. For this reason, their color using the scale is determined in several places. The shade of teeth in the cervical region is usually determined by the age of the patient and the state of health of the periodontal tissues. For example, in young people with intact tissues, enamel in this area has a grayish tint, and brownish gradually begins to prevail with age. It is worth taking into account the fact that in the cervical part it is the thinnest, and in the cutting section - the most dense.
The lightest tooth tones on the Vita scale: A0, A1, A 2 and A3. It is the first shade that is considered ideal. But each person must understand that the teeth of all people have individual characteristics, exactly the same as other parts of the body. Therefore, impeccable shades on the Vita scale are not achievable for everyone, even with the use of the highest quality enamel whitening.
What affects the perception of shade
It is worth saying that the determination of the tone of enamel by a dentist may be incorrect due to the influence of some factors:
- poor lighting in the treatment room;
- insufficient cleaning;
- the presence of concomitant pathology.
It is very important to first remove all kinds of obstacles to more accurately determine the shade of teeth using the Vita scale. This is the only way to identify all existing defects and proceed to their fruitful elimination.
The following conditions are considered perfect when performing the procedure:
- thorough cleaning of enamel from plaque;
- full lighting in the treatment room, complemented by fluorescent lamps;
- there is light clothing on the patient.
Environmental factors
It is best to carry out the procedure precisely in the daylight enough bright light. The use of all kinds of lamps can significantly distort the perception of colors. Light should come from the north side. And the illumination of the examined tooth should not exceed 1500 lux. If this indicator is higher than expected, the dentist may think that the patient's enamel is much lighter than it actually is. In professional clinics that use the Vita scale for bleaching, there are usually special designs equipped with lamps. Such systems make it possible to determine the shade of tooth enamel with maximum accuracy.
Surprisingly, the environment also plays an important role. An optimal interior is one in which the walls, ceiling and furniture are painted in neutral colors. This also applies to the doctor’s sterile gloves and tissue, which is placed on the patient’s chest.
In the procedure for determining color using the Vita scale, the condition of the teeth should be monitored: they should be sufficiently moistened, but under no circumstances should they remain dry. At this time, women should get rid of eye-catching makeup and lipstick.
If the dentist uses a rubber dam during bleaching, then he must determine the natural shade of the teeth before applying it. Otherwise, it should have a neutral, gray color.
Cases of exact coincidence are very rare due to the fact that the enamel of different teeth of the same person can vary significantly. Before you go to the dentist, you should correctly choose clothes. After all, a snow-white or too bright outfit can complicate the work of the dentist, since in daylight such things will reflect and slightly distort the perception of a natural shade.
Determination procedure
In fact, if all the described conditions are met exactly, the event itself to identify the natural shade of tooth enamel is not difficult. First of all, the dentist determines one of the four categories of color, then alternately applies the Vita scale to the incisors.
After identifying the correct shade, you should find out its brightness. To do this, in turn, all variants of the selected category are applied to the patient’s teeth. The initial and the color obtained during bleaching must be recorded on the dental card.
By the way, the definition of the natural tone of enamel can be done in the home environment. The Vita scale can come to the rescue of those who use household means for whitening, for example, special lightening strips, soda, dental pencils or simple hydrogen peroxide.
Conclusion
In general, the process of identifying the tone of enamel using the Vita scale is a fairly simple and even pleasant procedure. Especially when the color of the patient’s teeth gradually approaches the ideal during whitening.
As the practice of dentists shows, in the modern industry, the Vita scale is a truly indispensable tool that is used throughout the world. Without this simple, at first glance, device, it would be extremely difficult to diagnose many diseases and even more so to whiten your teeth to the desired shade.