Apparatus and method for determining tooth shade

A method of determining the characteristics of a target tooth with the use of a shade matching device comprised of multiple shade guides, the method comprising the steps of:

• capturing an image of the target tooth with a digital image capture means where a shade guide of the shade matching device is placed adjacent to said target tooth;
• capturing additional images of the target tooth with a digital image capture means, with an image being captured for each of the remaining shade guides of the shade matching device and where the shade guides are each placed adjacent to said target tooth;
• capturing an image of the target tooth with a digital image capture means when the patient's lips are formed in a smile;
• capturing an image of the target tooth with a digital image capture means when the patient's lips are in the M position;
• capturing an image of the target tooth with a digital image capture means when the patient's lips are retracted;
• capturing an image of the target tooth with a digital image capture means where the imaged captured is a close-up of the patient's teeth showing four to six maxillary and four to six mandibular anterior teeth;
• and
• capturing an image of the target tooth with a digital image capture means where the image includes the patient's full face.