Translucency
Posted on 06/18/2012
In addition to the three dimensions of color devised by Dr. Munsell: Hue, Value and Chroma, dentistry utilizes another dimension of color called Translucence.
Translucence is the degree to which a material transmits wavelengths of light as opposed to reflecting or absorbing the light. For example, a stained glass window is translucent. It is not, however, transparent - a term used to describe the physical property that allows light to pass through a material without being scattered. A clear glass window can be described as transparent.
The opposite of translucency is opacity. An opaque object will reflect or absorb all wavelengths of light and will not transmit any light. An apple, for example, is opaque.
Translucency is inherent to teeth as the incisal (biting) edge of teeth is translucent. Mistakes in translucency (either adding too much translucency or too little) can significantly alter the appearance of a restoration and promote a dull or "unnatural" look. The photo below shows the natural translucency of the maxillary centrals.
Portions of this post were adapted from the book:
Fundaments of Color - Shade Matching and Communication in Esthetic Dentistry published by Quintessence Publishing Co. Inc and written by Dr. Stephen J. Chu, Dr. Alessandro Devigus, Dr. Rade D. Paravina and Mr. Adam J. Mieleszko. and the
Wikipedia article/s:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparency_and_translucency
Translucence is the degree to which a material transmits wavelengths of light as opposed to reflecting or absorbing the light. For example, a stained glass window is translucent. It is not, however, transparent - a term used to describe the physical property that allows light to pass through a material without being scattered. A clear glass window can be described as transparent.
The opposite of translucency is opacity. An opaque object will reflect or absorb all wavelengths of light and will not transmit any light. An apple, for example, is opaque.
Translucency is inherent to teeth as the incisal (biting) edge of teeth is translucent. Mistakes in translucency (either adding too much translucency or too little) can significantly alter the appearance of a restoration and promote a dull or "unnatural" look. The photo below shows the natural translucency of the maxillary centrals.
Portions of this post were adapted from the book:
Fundaments of Color - Shade Matching and Communication in Esthetic Dentistry published by Quintessence Publishing Co. Inc and written by Dr. Stephen J. Chu, Dr. Alessandro Devigus, Dr. Rade D. Paravina and Mr. Adam J. Mieleszko. and the
Wikipedia article/s:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparency_and_translucency
