Objective To compare the color character of VITA shade guide and the custom shade guide with metal substrate. Methods Color of 9 sites of 5 series of VITA shade guides and custom shade guides with metal substrate were measured by means of PR-650 spectrophotometer. Results The color range of VITA shade guide were that L* was 56.86—73.86，a* was-1.29—3.69，b* was 7.09—21.94, and the transparence was 3.20—7.59. The color range of the custom shade guide was that L* was 60.59—78.54，a* was -1.09—4.99，b* was 7.60—22.35, and the transparence was 0.23—10.98. L*, a* and b* of the custom shade guide with metal substrate were higher than VITA shade guide, and the transparence was differet. The color difference of homonymy shade tab between custom shade guide and VITA shade guide was larger than 1.5 NBS. Conclusion There is color difference between VITA shade guide and custom shade guide. Metal substrate has effects on the color of cero-metal prosthesis, and color selection in clinic should be carefully considered.
