Color distribution of maxillary primary incisors in Korean children
Color Research and Application, 2009 Wiley Periodicals

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the color of maxillary primary incisors measured with a colorimeter.

Methods: The subjects were 100 Korean children aged 2∼5 with total number of 400 teeth. A spot measurement intraoral colorimeter was used to determine the color of maxillary primary central and lateral incisors at labial central area. The CIE L*, a*, b* value of each tooth and color difference (ΔE*ab) among each other were calculated and analyzed. 

Results: The range of CIE L*, a*, b* was 72.7∼84.9, -0.6∼4.9, 4.7∼15.0, respectively. Mean values (SD) of CIE L*, a*, b* for maxillary primary incisors were 78.6 (2.3), 1.2 (0.9), 9.6 (1.8). Boys had more red (higher CIE a* value) and blue (higher CIE b* value) hue than girls in primary central incisors (p < 0.05). Mean color difference (ΔE*ab) (SD) among primary incisors was 3.9 (1.8) with 95% confidence interval range of 3.86∼3.89, and most of them were found to be clinically within acceptable range. Because mean intraperson ΔE*ab (SD) was 3.0 (1.6) with 95% confidence interval range of 2.86∼3.12,  color differences among primary incisors in the same person were presumably difficult to discern by naked eye (ΔE*ab < 3.7). Age significantly influenced CIE L* and b* values, but the correlation coefficients were not high (r = -0.182 for CIE L* of central incisors, p < 0.01, r = 0.188 for CIE b* of central incisors, p < 0.01, and r = 0.143 for CIE b* of lateral incisors, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The present study showed relatively increased colorimetric values than the previous reports which based on primary anterior teeth in other ethnic groups. The results of this study could be used for the color modification of esthetic materials for primary teeth.