Spectrophotometric and Visual Evaluation of Maxillary Anterior Implant Crowns and Peri-implant Soft Tissues: A Retrospective Study

Purpose: To visually and spectrophotometrically determine the differences in the shades of maxillary anterior implant crowns and peri-implant soft tissues compared to a natural teeth control group. Materials and Methods: A total of 44 patients restored with single implant-supported restorations were assessed after at least 6 months in function. Images of the implant crowns, peri-implant soft tissues, and their controls were captured using a spectrophotometer (SpectroShade Micro, Medical High Technologies). Visual assessment of shade differences between the implant crowns and peri-implant soft tissues and their controls were performed by the patients and four dental professionals using a visual analog scale (VAS). Analysis of variance was applied to detect differences between groups. Results: The mean color differences (Delta E) between the implant crowns and peri-implant soft tissues and their respective controls were 4.8 +/- 2.6 and 6.6 +/- 2.7, respectively. A significant difference (P=.025) in mean Delta E values was observed only at the cervical third of the implant crowns. The patient group showed the highest mean VAS scores for shade matching of the implant crowns (8.4 +/- 1.2) and peri-implant soft tissues (7.8 +/- 1.6) with their respective controls. Conclusion: Spectrophotometric analysis showed significant shade differences at the cervical third of the implant crowns. The patients were more satisfied with the shade matching of their implant restorations than the dental professionals.