Perceptibility And Acceptability Of Color Differences Of Single-Tooth Implants At The Restoration And Mucosa Levels: An Exploratory Clinical Study

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess the perceptibility and acceptability threshold values for color differentiation at the restoration and mucosa levels. Materials and Methods: One restored single-tooth implant and the contralateral reference tooth were spectrophotometrically assessed in 20 patients. Perceptibility and acceptability were evaluated by dentists, dental technicians, and laypeople. Results: Dental technicians had the highest sensitivity in the perception of tooth color differences (Delta E = 2.7), followed by dentists (Delta E = 3.3) and laypeople (Delta E = 4.4). Acceptability threshold values were generally higher than perceptibility threshold in all groups. Dental technicians exhibited the highest sensitivity in the perception of mucosa color differences (50% perceptibility at Delta E = 2.65), followed by dentists (Delta E > 3.7) and laypeople (Delta E > 6). Conclusion: Color differences were tolerated with varying degrees among the three groups. Laypeople accepted higher color differences at the mucosa level.