How do I specify shade, intensity, texture, and gingival characteristics on a Bespoke case?
Once tooth shape is settled, five further categories determine how lifelike the restoration reads. Each is selected independently on the Bespoke Rx.
1. Base tooth shade
Bespoke offers the full selection of 19 VITA shades as the base color. Whether the patient wants a bright, luminous smile or a natural look with gentle shade transitions, the base shade sets the foundation. Everything below modifies that foundation rather than replacing it.
Base shade is a required field on the Rx.
2. Shade intensity
Intensity adds depth, dimension, and lifelike appearance to the base shade. It can bring a youthful attribute to the face or blend the restoration into existing dentition.
| Intensity level | Pigmentation | Typically seen in |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Matches the shade tab across most of the tooth, minimal additional pigmentation | Younger patients |
| Medium | Extra cervical, interproximal, and incisal pigmentation for added depth and character | Adult patients |
| Pronounced | Robust cervical, interproximal, and incisal pigmentation for enhanced depth and dimensionality | Older patients |
3. Tooth texture
Texture controls the physical surface of the tooth: mamelons, perikymata ridges, and surface irregularity. ROE's technicians craft each texture detail by hand.
| Texture level | Surface character | Reads as |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Very minimal or no mamelons or perikymata, light incisal characterization, very smooth teeth | Older, polished, uniform |
| Medium | Idealized facial anatomy, mamelons and perikymata subtly present, some incisal characterization | Balanced and natural |
| Pronounced | Enhanced facial anatomy, mamelons and perikymata amplified, pronounced incisal characterization | Youthful and highly lifelike |
Note the inversion that catches people out: light texture reads older, pronounced texture reads younger. This is the opposite direction from shade intensity, where pronounced reads older.
4. Gingival hue
Six hues are offered, designed to mimic the natural variation of healthy gingival tissue across many population types and patient preferences. They run along two axes, pink versus purple-pink, and lighter versus deeper.
| Depth | Pink family | Purple-pink family |
|---|---|---|
| Lighter | Light pink | Light purple-pink |
| Medium | Medium pink | Medium purple-pink |
| Deeper | Deep pink | Deep purple-pink |
Match the hue to the patient's existing tissue where any natural gingiva remains visible, and to skin tone and population type where the restoration carries the full esthetic zone.
5. Gingival texture
Gingival texture is an esthetic decision with a hygiene consequence, so discuss it with the patient before selecting.
| Texture level | Tissue character | Frenum | Hygiene requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Smoother gums, subdued root structures, lightly textured and smoother cervical areas | None | Minimal maintenance |
| Medium | Stippled gums, elevated root structures, textured cervical areas | Present | Moderate measures |
| Pronounced | Heavy stippling and texture, accentuated root structures, characterized cervical areas | Highly present | Greater measures |
Lighter gingival textures better represent the thinning and smoothing of the oral mucosa seen in older patients. More pronounced textures look more youthful and lifelike but require additional oral hygiene measures from the patient.
Putting it together
A coherent Bespoke specification usually aligns the categories toward a single intent rather than mixing signals. Two common directions:
| Intent | Shape | Intensity | Tooth texture | Gingival texture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youthful, energetic | Pointed cuspid, Youthful or Detailed Youthful | Light | Pronounced | Medium to Pronounced |
| Mature, natural, low maintenance | Rounded cuspid, Enhanced or Oval | Medium to Pronounced | Light to Medium | Light |
These are starting points for the conversation, not rules. The Bespoke online meeting exists precisely so a technician can help you reconcile competing preferences before design begins.
One more consideration ROE will raise: whether the patient wants a masculine or feminine smile character. This influences incisal edge treatment and embrasure form, and it is worth capturing in the Rx instructions field.
Additional Resources
For more information concerning the digital dentures:
Contact Information
For help with a digital denture solution for your next case, contact ROE Dental Laboratory:
- Phone: (216) 663-2233
- Email: info@roedentallab.com