Dental shade taking service: accurate matches for perfect restorations
At GoDigital Dental, we know how important it is to get the right shade for your patients' dental restorations.
We offer a bespoke shade taking service at our modern dental lab in Nottingham. Our experienced team uses the latest tools and techniques to ensure every restoration matches your patient’s natural teeth perfectly.
Why choose our dental shade taking service?
Our experienced technicians are confident in shade matching, which enables them to create the most accurate dental products. With years of training and practice, we can achieve precise shade taking so that the final restoration blends seamlessly with your patient’s natural teeth.
Outsourcing shade taking allows you to focus on what you do best, treating patients and delivering excellent dental care, and we can do what we do best to support you and your patients.
Flexible solutions for every shade
Why choose GoDigital Dental for shade taking?
At GoDigital Dental, we make shade taking simple, fast, and accurate. Our advanced technology helps you match tooth colours perfectly every single time. By using digital tools and intelligent software, we reduce human error and increase efficiency. No more guesswork or re-dos, just reliable results your patients will love. Our approach helps improve clinical outcomes, enhances communication with labs, and supports greater consistency across dental practices, leading to better overall care for patients.
Where comfort meets craftsmanship
What to expect at our dental lab
We interact with every patient who comes through the doors of our dental laboratory and do our best to make them feel as comfortable as possible in our non-clinical environment. We’ve found many come to us quite nervous, as they are under the impression that we are in a clinical setting!
We also offer the patient the opportunity to take a look around our very modern dental lab and see their restoration in production. Seeing their “teeth” being made can be quite impressive to a patient who had no idea of how a dental restoration is manufactured.
We liken it to the book “The Elves and the Shoemaker”. We work so seamlessly alongside the dental practice that they wouldn’t even know we were here.
Shade taking dental experts
How to book an appointment
You can either pass on our details to your patient and ask them to give us a call, which we find is the more convenient way for patients. Alternatively, with their permission, you can pass on your patients’ details to us, and we will contact them directly.
Either way, always ensure you have discussed this with your patient and let us know that you wish for a patient to attend our lab for a shade taking appointment.
Where to find us
Our dental lab is based in Nottingham, just a short 4-minute drive from M1 Junction 26, and has free parking available, making it convenient for you to visit us by car. We’re a short walk away from the Phoenix Park tram stop, and there are also great bus links from Nottingham City Centre.
Whether you are a local dentist or based further away, we offer you and your patients a reliable, professional service that fits both of your busy schedules.
At GoDigital Dental, we’re committed to providing the best dental shade taking service using advanced technology and expert craftsmanship. Let us help you deliver high-quality, long-lasting results for your patients.
Get in touch today and receive a complimentary consultation.
Dental shade taking service FAQs
What is the process for shade taking at the GoDigital Dental lab?
Once your patient is booked in with us, we explain the process clearly to reassure them that no invasive procedures will be done. We ask about their expectations, any concerns, and whether they have been whitening their teeth and, if so, when they last wore trays was. It’s important that we see patients at least two weeks after finishing whitening treatment to get accurate shade results.
We take several photos, both with and without shade tabs, so our ceramists can understand the patient’s current shade and the desired final result. For larger cases, we may need full-face photos to help with line angles, tooth length, and digital design selection.
The shade taking usually takes 20-30 minutes, depending on questions from the patient. Ideally, we like the patient to return to the lab for a final shade check and any adjustments. However, if returning is difficult, this can be done at the dental practice. We always explain that if further adjustments are needed, the case will need to come back to the lab, which may delay the fitting.
How can the practice assist GoDigital Dental achieve the best shade taking results?
As dental technicians, we don’t have the chance to see the patient’s mouth in person when a tooth is being prepared. Instead, we rely on the intraoral scan (IOS) to give us a rough idea of the shape and size. However, there is nothing better than a shade taken by the dentist directly from the stump, along with high-quality photos of the tooth and surrounding area. This gives us a much clearer understanding of the colour and helps us create a restoration that looks natural and matches the patient’s teeth well. Even if the shade is not taken at the lab, having this information from the dentist is ideal.
A stump shade guide is especially useful because it helps us choose the right materials for the restoration. It also allows us to identify any darker areas that may need to be blocked out to prevent them from showing through the final crown or bridge. This information is vital for achieving the best aesthetic results and making sure the restoration blends seamlessly with the patient’s natural teeth.
What do you do in cases where the patient’s natural tooth shade is uneven or has multiple hues?
When a patient’s natural tooth shade is uneven or has multiple hues, we take special care to match these variations in the final restoration. We understand that natural teeth are not always one uniform colour and may have different shades, spots, or translucencies. To capture this complexity, we ask dentists to provide detailed photos and, if possible, a stump shade taken directly from the patient’s mouth. This helps our technicians see the exact colour variations that need to be matched.
Using this information, we carefully layer different ceramics during the fabrication process to recreate the natural look of the tooth. Our skilled technicians use advanced materials and techniques to mimic the depth and shade changes found in the patient’s teeth. This approach helps the restoration blend seamlessly with the surrounding teeth and gives a more natural and aesthetic result.
If needed, we also work closely with the dentist to discuss the best materials and techniques for each case. Our goal is to ensure the patient is happy with the final look and that the restoration matches their natural smile as closely as possible.
How do I book a shade taking appointment at GoDigital Dental?
Booking a shade taking appointment with us is easy and quick. You just need to call our friendly team, and we will help you find a good time to visit our lab. It is best to book your appointment early, especially when it is busy, so you can get the time that suits you best. This way, we can make sure you get the time and care you need for a good shade taking session.
When you come to the lab, our team will explain the whole process and answer any questions you have. We want you to feel relaxed and sure during your visit. If you are not sure about anything or want advice on how to get ready for your appointment, just ask us, and we will be happy to help you.
We know how important it is to get the right shade match, so we take care to make the visit easy and smooth. Our aim is to help you get the best results for your patients every time.
Why is communication between the dentist and the lab regarding shade preferences so important?
Good communication between the dentist and the lab about shade preferences is very important to make sure the final restoration looks natural and matches the patient’s other teeth. Every patient’s teeth have unique colours and tones, so it is important that the lab understands exactly what the dentist and patient want. If the lab does not get clear information, the restoration might not match well, leading to more adjustments and delays.
Clear communication helps the lab choose the right materials and shades for the restoration. Dentists can provide important details like photos, shade guides, and information about the patient’s lifestyle, such as if they smoke or have had teeth whitening. This helps the lab make a more accurate match. The more details the lab receives, the better they can work to create a natural-looking restoration that meets the patient’s expectations.
Good communication also saves time and money by reducing the need for remakes or corrections. When the dentist and lab work closely together, the process runs more smoothly, leading to happier patients and better results.
How long does the shade taking process take?
The shade taking process is quick, comfortable, and efficient, usually taking around 20 to 30 minutes from start to finish. During this time, we carefully assess the colour of the patient’s natural teeth using professional shade guides and good quality lighting. We may also take a series of photographs to capture different angles and lighting conditions, which will help our ceramists achieve a more accurate match. This ensures that the final restoration will blend naturally with the surrounding teeth.
Once the correct shade is determined, we record all the necessary details, including any subtle variations or characteristics, such as translucency or small markings. These details are then used to create a clear plan for the restoration. The process is completely non-invasive, with no discomfort for the patient, and it provides immediate results that can be used as a reference throughout the manufacturing process. By having all this information ready from the start, we can create crowns, bridges, or other restorations that fit well, look natural, and meet the patient’s expectations without unnecessary adjustments later.
Can patients be involved in the shade taking process?
Yes, we actively encourage patients to be involved in the shade taking process, as it helps them feel more confident and informed about their treatment. When patients visit our lab, we can take the time to explain what we are doing and why it is important. If they are interested and have the time, we are also happy to show them the stage their restoration is currently at. This might include showing them digital designs, prototype try-ins, or partially completed restorations so they can see the progress being made.
Patient involvement offers many benefits. It gives them a better understanding of how their restoration is created, which often makes them feel more reassured about the process. It also allows them to give input on the shade selection, ensuring the final result meets their expectations and blends naturally with the rest of their smile. By involving patients early and keeping them informed, we reduce the likelihood of dissatisfaction and can make any necessary adjustments before the restoration is completed, leading to a smoother and more successful outcome.
What happens after the shade is taken?
Once we have taken the shade, we use this information to create a restoration that matches the patient’s natural teeth as closely as possible. Ideally, we like to bring the patient back to the lab for a final shade check to make sure everything looks right. If this is not possible, the dentist can check the shade at the clinic to ensure it blends well with the surrounding teeth.
Our skilled technicians carefully make the crown, bridge, or other restoration using high-quality materials. This helps to ensure the restoration is strong, long-lasting, and looks natural. We pay close attention to detail so that the final result is both durable and attractive.
When the restoration is ready, our admin team will contact the patient to arrange a shade check appointment. We advise patients to allow some extra time, as they may need to sit with a ceramist for a short while if any small adjustments are needed. Although this is very rare, we like to prepare patients so they can plan their day accordingly.
Do you offer any shade verification or adjustment services after the restoration is fabricated?
Yes, we offer shade verification and adjustment services after the restoration has been made. Once the crown, bridge, or other restoration is fabricated, we invite patients to come back for a shade check at our lab. This helps us make sure the colour matches the natural teeth perfectly before the restoration is fitted in the mouth. If any small adjustments are needed, our skilled ceramists can make these changes on the spot to improve the shade and overall appearance.
If a patient cannot visit the lab, the dentist can also check the shade in the clinic. In this case, if the restoration needs further adjustments, the case may need to be sent back to us. We always communicate clearly with the dentist and patient about any necessary changes and the time this might take. Our goal is to ensure the best possible aesthetic result and patient satisfaction.
By offering shade verification and adjustments, we help reduce the chance of colour mismatches and ensure a natural-looking smile. This extra step is important to achieve the highest quality restorations for every patient.
Where is GoDigital Dental located?
GoDigital Dental is conveniently based in Nottingham, making it simple and straightforward for patients and dental professionals to visit us for shade taking appointments. For those travelling by car, our lab is just a short 4-minute drive from junction 26 of the M1, so we are easy to reach from many areas. We also have free on-site parking, which means you can arrive and park without any extra cost or worry about finding a space.
For those using public transport, our location is equally convenient. We are only a very short walk from the Phoenix Park tram stop, which connects directly to Nottingham City Centre and other nearby areas. There are also local bus routes that stop close to the lab, giving visitors plenty of travel options.
Our easily accessible location means that both local practices and patients travelling from further away can get to us with ease. Whether you are visiting for a quick shade appointment or a more detailed consultation, our position makes the journey as stress-free as possible.
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0115 648 8288
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GoDigital Dental | Dental Lab
6 Millennium Way West
Nottingham
NG8 6AS