In the past, dentists and dental technicians have observed teeth and prostheses under different light sources. The resulting discrepancies in judgments about tooth colour information have led to errors in the manufacture of prostheses for patients. With Crystaleye, tooth colours are ascertained from photographs taken inside the patient’s oral cavity, which is shielded from external light. The laboratory can then manufacture the prostheses according to information sent from the dental office and photograph the resulting product using specialized equipment that completely eliminates external light. Because comparison checks can be carried out under identical conditions in the dental office and the laboratory, it is possible to create prostheses that better match patients’ requirements.

Using the traditional method of judging the colour of patients’ teeth from shade guides, the determination of subtle shade differences was very time-consuming. Moreover, because colour information could not be fully described on laboratory instruction forms, it was not easy to share precise colour information between the dental office and the laboratory. Crystaleye provides extremely precise colour measurement based on spectral estimation using a 7-band LED light source. Because this system has greater colour detection capacity than conventional 3-band (RGB) systems, it can identify even subtle differences in colour.

In the past, photography was a difficult process requiring complex settings and a range of equipment, including flash units and macro lenses. An assistant was also required to apply a mouth gag and help with photography. With Crystaleye, there are no complex procedures, and the dentist (or technician) can take accurate photographs without the need for assistance. The software supplied with the system (Crystaleye Application Master) forwards the information electronically to the laboratory, allowing the technician to determine the shape and tone of the tooth and make detailed colour analyses of the location requiring examination.