COLOR PERCEPTION

All objects exhibit color ,such as white , black , red ,purple ,blue , yellow

etc. Color is perceived through absorption and reflection of the various

wavelengths of the light. For instance black object absorbs all the wavelengths of

visible light completely, while a white object reflects all the wavelengths

completely.A yellow object absorbs red, green, blue, indigo and violet

wavelengths of light and reflects orange(4).

The light waves in themselves are not colored. Color arises in the human brain,

with the cones in the eyes as the color receptors. Colors arise from qualitative

differences in photosensitivity. The eye and the mind achieve distinct perception

through comparison and contrast - a chromatic color (red, blue, green, etc.) may be

determined by its relationship to an achromatic color (white, gray, and black, Figs 5-21

and 5-22). Color perception is the psychophysiological reality of color (4).

COLOR PERCEPTION

COLOR PERCEPTION PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL REALITY

physical Wavelength of light
psychophysical Reception of wavelength of light by the eye
psychological Interpretation of wavelength of light by
brain
As light enters the eye through the cornea and lens, an image is focused on the

retina. The amount of light entering the eye is controlled by the iris, which dilates or

constricts depending on the level of illumination. The retinal rods and cons can adjust

the variation of light intensity. The area around the fovea centralis has a mixture of
sensors responsible for differences in color discrimination among observers with

normal color vision. The accuracy of color perception depends on the area of the

retinal field stimulated by light. In high illumination, the pupil narrows and when light is

dim, the pupil widens, stimulating sensors that are less accurate. As a regulator of

pupil diameter, light intensity is a critical factor in color perception and shade

matching(6).

At low light levels, the rods of the human eye are more dominant than the cones

and color perception is lost. As the brightness becomes more intense,colour appears

to change (BEZOLD -BRUCK EFFECT).There are 6 million CONES in each eyeball

which are sensitive to colour.There are three types of cone cells ,each sensitive to

long ,medium or short wavelength of light (red,blue and green colour respectively

FACTORS INFLUENCING COLOUR PERCEPTION:

ILLUMINANT

OBSERVER

OBJECT

ILLUMINANT:

COLOUR CONTENT: Intensity of light emitted at each wavelength which varies

according to the type of illuminant.

COLOUR RENDERING: It is the effect that the illuminant has on the colour appearance

under a reference source.

COLOUR RENDERING INDEX: Measure of the degree to which the illuminant can

impart colour of an object compared with that achieved by a reference source.

OBJECT:

REFLECTION: A material gains it reflective colour by reflecting the part of the spectrum

of light incident upon it and absorbing the other parts of the spectrum.

TRANSMISSION: A translucent material gains its transmitted colour by the spectrum it

transmits.Wavelengths that are not transmitted are absorbed.

OBSERVER :

INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN COLOUR: Even though an object may irradiate light

with a consistent distribution spectrum, the perception of colour may vary markedly

between individuals .Three dentists were asked to select a shade for a prosthesis and

the adjacent natural teeth,using the conventional shade guide tabs.No dentists were in

agreement 52% of the time,and only 14% of the time were all the three dentists in

agreement. Therefore, in 86% of the cases ,all three dentists could not agree on the

same shade.These figures clearly demonstrate a great divergence in visual shade

selection with negative clinical predictability.Sources of error commonly originate from

disparities in the shade selection enviroment, which influences colour perception

considerably. Shade determination under the same light source and positional

relationship can eliminate such errors in indidual colour perception.

INDIVIDUAL SHADE SELECTION DIFFERENCES

NUMBER OF
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF
NATURAL TOTAL
DENTISTS PROSTHESES
TEETH
Same shade

selected by 18 teeth (14%) 10 teeth (14.3%)

28 teeth (14%)
three dentists
Same shade

selected by two 72 teeth (59.2%) 30 teeth (42.9%)

102 teeth (51.5%)
dentists
Same shade
38 teeth(26.7%) 30 teeth(42.9%)
selected by 0
68 teeth (34.3%)
dentists

BIONUCULAR DIFFERENCE IN COLOR PERCEPTION:

Color perception differences between individuals are considerable as we

have discussed. However, even in the same individual a color perception difference

may be present. This phenomenon is known as binocular color perception - it is a

perception variance between the right eye and the left eye. Such color perception

disparity between the eyes of an individual is small; however, when it is present,

there must be a compensation for it. When two objects of the same shape and

color are juxtaposed (arranged side by side), they may appear to be different, i.e.
one seems to be slightly lighter than the other. This effect holds true if the objects

are reversed in order from left to right (5).

There also seems to be a phenomenon where each eye perceives color

slightly differently. Interestingly, if the two objects are placed on the same side, the

effect is not evident. Binocular color differences cause disharmony in shade

selection and color matching. Placing shade tabs on the same side of the tooth to

be matched will help to eliminate error and compensate for this Effect (5).

CHRONOLOGICAL AGE AND COLOR PERCEPTION:

There are two distinct effects that occur with increasing age. First, the teeth

themselves become darker (increasing chroma), owing to the increase in secondary

dentine formation. Second, the lens of the human eye becomes more yellowish-brown,

thereby imparting a yellow -brown bias. Differentiation between white and yellow

becomes increasingly more difficult. This process begins at age 30, becomes more

noticeable after age 50, and has clinical significance after 60 years of age. This

phenomenon may present a clinical problem for a clinician and color work should,

therefore, be delegated to younger auxiliary personnel, between the ages of 20 to

30(5).

FATIGUE AND COLOR PERCEPTION:

Adverse visual perceptionis the consequence of systemic, local,and/or mental

fatigue. The inability accurately to distinguish hue and chroma is most noticeable at
times of fatigue, and the color may be perceived as faded or bedazzled. Successive

shade observations and improper lighting (too bright or dark) are the most common

causes of fatigue(5).

DRUGS AND COLOR PERCEPTION:

The abuse of drugs ,alcohol , and caffeine may afffect the ability to perceive

colour correctly.

EFFECTS OF CHEMICALS ON COLOR PERCEPTION

DRUG EFFECT
ALCOHOL/MORPHINE Long wavelengths=brighter(red,orange,yellow)

Short wavelengths=darker(blue,green,purple)
CAFFEINE Long wavelengths=darker
Short wavelengths=brighter

DIMENSIONS OF COLOR:

Understanding color requires comprehension of the dimensions of color ,i.e., its

hue, Chroma,value ,translucency.Translucency is not addressed in Munsell’s color

analysis, But it may be the single most important factor in the ultimate result of an

esthetic restoration. When restorations are labelled too opaque, marble- like or dead in

appearance, the esthetic limitation is generally the result of inadequate reproduction of

translucency.Translucency, in effect, is the three –dimensional spatial relationship or

representation of value(5).

HUE:
 Hue is simply the color tone, i.e., red, blue, yellow,etc.The term hue is

synonymous with the term ‘color’, and it is used to describe the color of a tooth or

a dental restoration(5).

It is the quality by which we distinguish one color family from another, as red from

yellow, or green from blue and purple.It is the family name we apply to a group of colors

.There are ten hue families in the Munsell color order system,they are designated by the

following upper case letters :R for red, YR for yellow-red, Y for yellow, GY for green-

yellow, G for green, BG for blue –green, B for blue , PB for purple-blue, P for purple,

and RP for red-purple. Each of these ten hues is further subdivided into ten numbered

segments. For example, the middle red would be 5R (42).

In dental terms, hue is represented by A,B,C or D on the commonly used Vita

Classic shade guide(3).

CHROMA:

It is the intensity or saturation of the color tone(hue), i.e., light blue or dark

blue. It is used to Describe, for instance , the orange or yellow hue of a tooth or a

restoration(5) . It is that quality of color by which we distinguish a strong color from

a weak one; the degree of departure of a color sensation from that of white or gray

; the intensity of a distinctive hue; Color intensity (42).

The chroma scale starts from zero ,or achromatic ,with increasing numeric values

indicating stronger colors. In terms of chroma,color is defined by Munsell as weak

,moderate and strong. A strong chroma would be in the range of seven to ten. There

are standards for very strong Chromas above ten(42).

Different chromas of a particular color are arranged from those of least purity or

intensity on the left to those of greatest purity on the right (42).

 As chroma is increased, the value is decreased ;chroma and value are

inversely related. Higher numbers on the Vita Classic shade guide respresent

increased chroma(3).

VALUE:

It is the relative lightness (brightness) or darkness of the hue (5).In other words,

this is a colorless Distiniction. The possible range of values used in describing the

lightness or darkness of a surface in the Munsell color system extends from zero to

ten. Black is zero and white is ten with a range of grays it matches on the scale.

Colors with low value numbers are termed dark colors, and one with high value

numbers are called light colors. To compare the color match between a restoration

and a tooth, value is generally considered the most challenging of the three

dimensions of color. One reason is that value differences are readily detected, even

by a untrained eye, and the restorations with improper value are frequently described

by patients as Being too dark or too white. In addition, value differences are more

easily detected both close -up at a distance, whereas differences in hue and chroma

become less noticeable as the viewing distance increases (42).

TRANSLUCENCY:

It is the three dimensional respresentation of value.It is abstract and

intangible, and it is difficult to measure and standardize at the present time.It is best

respresented by value Differences. Highly translucent teeth tend to be lower in

value, since they allow light to transmit through the tooth( greater light absorption)

and absorb the shadows and darkness of the oral cavity and surrounding

enviroment.More opaque teeth allow less light transmittance; they are more

reflective in nature and therefore appear brighter . The characteristic of translucency

must also be present in the restorative materials in order to achieve a natural

appearance and avoid the opaque , dead in appearance restorations. Translucency

and value are the most important characteristics in shade selection. Since hue is not

easily detectable and since there is a lack of chroma in the lighter shades (5).

Value differences are easier to identify, since there are more rods than cones in

the anatomy of the human eye. There is an inverse relationship between chroma and

value. With increasing Chroma (greater intensity) there is decreasing value (increasing

darkness). For instance, A4 has a high chroma and low value shade;A1 has a low

chroma and a high value shade(5) .