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Shade Selection Lighting — NDEB AFK MCQ

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ModerateProsthodonticsShade Selection LightingNDEB AFK

The most reliable method to determine the shade of a ceramic crown is to assess tooth colour under which condition?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — Natural daylight (north-facing window, midday)

Natural daylight from a north-facing window (in the Northern Hemisphere) at midday provides the most balanced colour temperature (~5500K) for accurate shade selection. Artificial lights (fluorescent, halogen, LED) have varying colour temperatures and spectral distributions that can distort colour perception. Shade selection should be done at the beginning of the appointment (before eyes fatigue), with the shade tab held at the patient's tooth level against a neutral background, and both patient and shade tab moistened.

Reference: Shillingburg – Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics, 4th ed., 2012