Patient attendance at the laboratory is always the preferred method. When we see your patient, we are able to evaluate the situation under differing light sources. We also have a plethora of ceramic samples and specialised real porcelain shade guides to facilitate achieving the best possible outcome.
Furthermore, we are able to utilise this opportunity to take the required photographs to achieve a high level of accuracy. For example, certain cases require full face images so that smile design technology can be applied.
We are happy to contact your patient and arrange an appointment with them directly if you prefer us to do so. Appointments are generally 5-10 minutes long, however longer appointments may be necessary for multiple anterior restorative work so we are able to take time speaking with your patient about what he or she is looking to achieve and so we can explain our plan to get there. We ask that patients attend without lipstick as to avoid the incorrect shade being take because of an optical phenomenon called chromatic induction.
We can supply you with, or you can download, an information sheet for your patients about the process which also contains a map of how to get here. After we make the restoration or restorations, we then like to see the patient again before their issue. This is the best way to ensure he prefect result as we are able to check the outcome and make adjustments if necessary.
For some cases, the second shade consultation is a necessary part of manufacture. For example, we are able to mix and add custom surface stain characterisations using the adjacent dentition as reference. This appointment is generally longer than the first and can take between 20-40 minutes on average, depending on what is being done.