The overall esthetic result of an all-ceramic restoration is influenced by the following factors:

• shade of the preparation,  
• shade of the restoration (ingot/block, layering material) and
• shade of the cementation material

The tooth shade is determined on the unprepared tooth and/or the adjacent teeth taking the individual characteristics into account. During the fabrication of highly esthetic restorations, the influence of the shade of the preparation on the final result is a decisive aspect.

For that reason, the shade of the preparation should be determined in order to select the suitable restorative material. Especially with severely discoloured preparations this is of utmost importance. Only if the dentist determines the shade of the preparation and subsequently transmits it to the laboratory may the desired esthetics be achieved in a targeted fashion.

The IPS Natural Die Material shade guide helps to determine the shade of the prepared tooth. The shade of the restoration is the result of a combination of the preparation shade and desired tooth shade.