Toothguide Trainer tests with color vision deficiency simulation monitor

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether simulated severe red and green color vision deficiency (CVD) influenced color matching results and to investigate whether training with Toothguide Trainer (TT) computer program enabled better color matching results. Methods: A total of 31 color normal dental students participated in the study. Every participant had to pass the Ishihara Test. Participants with a red/green color vision deficiency were excluded. A lecture on tooth color matching was given, and individual training with TT was performed. To measure the individual tooth color matching results in normal and color deficient display modes, the TT final exam was displayed on a calibrated monitor that served as a hardware-based method of simulating protanopy and deuteranopy. Data from the TT final exams were collected in normal and in severe red and green CVD-simulating monitor display modes. Color difference values for each participant in each display mode were computed (Sigma Delta E*(ab)), and the respective means and standard deviations were calculated. The Student's t-test was used in statistical evaluation. Results: Participants made larger Delta E*(ab) errors in severe color vision deficient display modes than in the normal monitor mode. TT tests showed significant (p < 0.05) difference in the tooth color matching results of severe green color vision deficiency simulation mode compared to normal vision mode. Students' shade matching results were significantly better after training (p = 0.009). Conclusions: Computer-simulated severe color vision deficiency mode resulted in significantly worse color matching quality compared to normal color vision mode. Toothguide Trainer computer program improved color matching results. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.