Shade MatchNCT07370545
Impact of Presentation Sequence on Patient Tooth Shade Selection
A study testing Sequential Shade Presentation (Natural to Bleached), Sequential Shade Presentation (Bleached to Natural) and Simultaneous Shade Presentation (Full Range) in people with Shade Match and Teeth Color, run by University of Jordan at 1 site in Jordan.
Trial summary
This study is a clinical trial designed to understand how the way a dentist presents tooth color options affects a patient's final choice for their dental treatment. The insvestigators know that patients often prefer lighter, "bleached" shades, but the process of choosing can be influenced by the order in which the… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Shade Match, Teeth Color, Patient Preference
- What is being tested?
- Sequential Shade Presentation (Natural to Bleached), Sequential Shade Presentation (Bleached to Natural) and Simultaneous Shade Presentation (Full Range)
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 210 participants
- Where
- 1 siteJordan
- Study dates
- 26 Jan 2026to 5 Mar 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adult patients aged 18 years or older.
- Seeking aesthetic dental treatment (e.g., anterior restorations, veneers, or tooth bleaching).
- Possessing at least one sound, non-restored maxillary central incisor (tooth #8 or #9) to serve as a reference for objective shade measurement.
- Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.
- Fluent in the language of the study (Arabic/English) to complete the psychosocial questionnaire (PIDAQ).
Who cannot join
- Congenital or acquired color vision deficiencies (screened using the Ishihara test).
- Cognitive impairments or psychological conditions that may affect decision-making or the ability to complete questionnaires.
- Extensive existing restorations, crowns, or severe intrinsic staining (e.g., tetracycline staining) on the maxillary anterior teeth.
- Active periodontal disease or poor oral hygiene that may interfere with accurate shade assessment.
- Previous history of professional tooth bleaching within the last 6 months.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Influence of Shade Guide Presentation Sequence and Psychosocial Factors on Patient Tooth Shade Selection: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial
This study is a clinical trial designed to understand how the way a dentist presents tooth color options affects a patient's final choice for their dental treatment. The insvestigators know that patients often prefer lighter, "bleached" shades, but the process of choosing can be influenced by the order in which the shades are shown.
The insvestigators will randomly dividing participants into three groups. One group will see natural shades first, followed by bleached shades. A second group will see bleached shades first, followed by natural shades. The third group will see all shades at once.
The main goal is to measure how often patients change their mind (switch their choice) and by how much (the "jump" in lightness) depending on the order of presentation. The insvestigators will also use a questionnaire to see if a patient's self-consciousness about their smile affects how light of a shade they choose. The results will help dentists improve communication and ensure patients are truly satisfied with their final aesthetic decision.
Read the detailed description
This is a prospective, single-center, three-arm parallel-group Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) designed to rigorously investigate the cognitive bias known as the "order effect" in patient-driven tooth shade selection. The study aims to quantify the influence of sequential versus simultaneous shade guide presentation on final aesthetic preference and to correlate this choice with the patient's underlying psychosocial perception of their dental aesthetics.
Methodology: Participants seeking aesthetic dental treatment will be randomized (1:1:1) into three intervention groups:
- Group A (Natural -> Bleached): Sequential presentation of natural shades followed by the introduction of bleached shades.
- Group B (Bleached -> Natural): Sequential presentation of bleached shades followed by the introduction of natural shades.
- Group C (Simultaneous): Single presentation of the full VITA 3D-Master shade guide (natural and bleached tabs combined).
Outcome Measures: The primary outcomes are the switching frequency and the magnitude of change (Delta L*) between initial and final selections in the sequential groups (A and B), and the comparison of the final proportion of bleached shade selections across all three groups. Secondary outcomes include the correlation between the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) total score and the final selected shade's L* value, and the quantification of the Patient-Clinician Discrepancy using CIE Delta E00 between the patient's choice and an independent clinician's recommendation.
Significance: This study will provide evidence-based guidelines for clinical practice, moving beyond anecdotal preference recording to a structured, bias-mitigating approach to shared aesthetic decision-making. The integration of the PIDAQ and objective colorimetric analysis (Lab*) and Delta E00 will provide a novel, high-impact explanation for the observed preference for lighter shades.
- Conditions
- Shade Match, Teeth Color, Patient Preference, Aesthetic Perception
- Being tested
- Sequential Shade Presentation (Natural to Bleached), Sequential Shade Presentation (Bleached to Natural), Simultaneous Shade Presentation (Full Range)
- Keywords
- Patient Preference, shade guide, teeth color, shade selection
- Medical subject headings
- Patient Preference
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Sequential Shade Presentation (Natural to Bleached)Behavioural
Participants are first presented with the natural range of the VITA 3D-Master shade guide (1M1-5M3) to select an initial preference. Following this, the bleached shade tabs (0M1-0M3) are introduced, and participants are invited to finalize their choice. This procedure measures the "pull" toward lighter shades when introduced as a secondary option.
Sequential Shade Presentation (Bleached to Natural)Behavioural
Participants are first presented with the bleached range of the VITA 3D-Master shade guide (0M1-0M3) to select an initial preference. Following this, the full natural range (1M1-5M3) is introduced, and participants are invited to finalize their choice. This procedure measures the stability of the bleached shade preference when natural alternatives are subsequently provided.
Simultaneous Shade Presentation (Full Range)Behavioural
Participants are presented with the complete VITA 3D-Master shade guide, including both natural (1M1-5M3) and bleached (0M1-0M3) tabs, in a single session. Participants select their preferred shade from the entire range simultaneously. This serves as the control method to establish baseline preference without sequential bias.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: Sequential Presentation (Natural then Bleached) | Experimental | Participants in this arm will undergo a two-phase shade selection process. In Phase 1, they will select their preferred tooth shade from the natural range of the VITA 3D-Master shade guide (1M1 to 5M3). In Phase 2, the bleached shade tabs (0M1 to 0M3) will be introduced, and participants will be asked if they wish to maintain or alter their initial selection. The final choice and the magnitude of change (Delta L*) will be recorded. Receives: Behavioral: Sequential Shade Presentation (Natural to Bleached) |
| Group B: Sequential Presentation (Bleached then Natural) | Experimental | Participants in this arm will undergo a two-phase shade selection process. In Phase 1, they will select their preferred tooth shade from the bleached range of the VITA 3D-Master shade guide (0M1 to 0M3). In Phase 2, the full natural range (1M1 to 5M3) will be introduced, and participants will be asked if they wish to maintain or alter their initial selection. This arm serves to measure the "order effect" in the opposite direction of Group A. Receives: Behavioral: Sequential Shade Presentation (Bleached to Natural) |
| Group C: Simultaneous Presentation (Full Range) | Active comparator | Participants in this arm will undergo a single-phase shade selection process. They will be presented with the full range of the VITA 3D-Master shade guide, including both natural (1M1 to 5M3) and bleached (0M1 to 0M3) tabs, simultaneously. This arm serves as the control baseline to determine patient preference in the absence of sequential presentation bias. Receives: Behavioral: Simultaneous Shade Presentation (Full Range) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Final Shade Selection (L* Value)
The lightness (L*) value of the final tooth shade selected by the patient using the VITA 3D-Master guide. The VITA 3D-Master tabs will be converted to CIE Lab* coordinates based on established conversion tables. This measure assesses the final aesthetic preference across the three randomized groups.
Measured: At the time of shade selection (Day 1)
Switching Frequency
The percentage of participants in the sequential groups (Group A and Group B) who change their initial shade selection after the second range of shade tabs is introduced. This measures the stability of the initial choice and the susceptibility to presentation bias.
Measured: At the time of shade selection (Day 1)
Secondary outcomes (4)
Magnitude of Shade Change (Delta L*)
The numerical difference in lightness (L*) between the patient's initial shade selection and their final shade selection in the sequential groups (Group A and Group B). A positive value indicates a "jump" toward a lighter shade, while a negative value indicates a shift toward a darker shade.
Measured: At the time of shade selection (Day 1)
Psychosocial Impact Correlation (PIDAQ)
The correlation coefficient between the total score of the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) and the final selected shade's L* value. Higher PIDAQ scores indicate a greater negative psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics.
Measured: Baseline (Day 1)
Patient-Clinician Discrepancy (Delta E00)
The color difference (calculated using the CIE Delta E00 formula) between the patient's final selected shade tab and the independent clinician's professional recommendation. This quantifies the gap between patient desire and professional aesthetic judgment.
Measured: At the time of shade selection (Day 1)
Objective Color Discrepancy (Delta E00)
The color difference (calculated using the CIE Delta E 00 formula) between the patient's final selected shade tab and the objective natural tooth color measured by a spectrophotometer.
Measured: At the time of shade selection (Day 1)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Jan 2026
- Study start26 Jan 2026
- Primary completion5 Mar 2026
- Study completion5 Mar 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Shade MatchStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 210 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Jordan
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Alaa Al-Haddad, University of Jordan
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07370545
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2/5/1/175
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 9 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: annonmous shade selected by participant and clinican, with PIDAQ total scores.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Influence of Shade Guide Presentation Sequence and Psychosocial Factors on Patient Tooth Shade Selection: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07370545
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2/5/1/175
- Conditions
- Shade Match, Teeth Color, Patient Preference, Aesthetic Perception
- Keywords
- Patient Preference, shade guide, teeth color, shade selection
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 210 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of JordanUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 26 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 5 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 5 Mar 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study is a clinical trial designed to understand how the way a dentist presents tooth color options affects a patient's final choice for their dental treatment. The insvestigators know that patients often prefer lighter, "bleached" shades, but the process of choosing can be influenced by the order in which the shades are shown.
The insvestigators will randomly dividing participants into three groups. One group will see natural shades first, followed by bleached shades. A second group will see bleached shades first, followed by natural shades. The third group will see all shades at once.
The main goal is to measure how often patients change their mind (switch their choice) and by how much (the "jump" in lightness) depending on the order of presentation. The insvestigators will also use a questionnaire to see if a patient's self-consciousness about their smile affects how light of a shade they choose. The results will help dentists improve communication and ensure patients are truly satisfied with their final aesthetic decision.
Detailed description
This is a prospective, single-center, three-arm parallel-group Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) designed to rigorously investigate the cognitive bias known as the "order effect" in patient-driven tooth shade selection. The study aims to quantify the influence of sequential versus simultaneous shade guide presentation on final aesthetic preference and to correlate this choice with the patient's underlying psychosocial perception of their dental aesthetics.
Methodology: Participants seeking aesthetic dental treatment will be randomized (1:1:1) into three intervention groups:
- Group A (Natural -> Bleached): Sequential presentation of natural shades followed by the introduction of bleached shades.
- Group B (Bleached -> Natural): Sequential presentation of bleached shades followed by the introduction of natural shades.
- Group C (Simultaneous): Single presentation of the full VITA 3D-Master shade guide (natural and bleached tabs combined).
Outcome Measures: The primary outcomes are the switching frequency and the magnitude of change (Delta L*) between initial and final selections in the sequential groups (A and B), and the comparison of the final proportion of bleached shade selections across all three groups. Secondary outcomes include the correlation between the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) total score and the final selected shade's L* value, and the quantification of the Patient-Clinician Discrepancy using CIE Delta E00 between the patient's choice and an independent clinician's recommendation.
Significance: This study will provide evidence-based guidelines for clinical practice, moving beyond anecdotal preference recording to a structured, bias-mitigating approach to shared aesthetic decision-making. The integration of the PIDAQ and objective colorimetric analysis (Lab*) and Delta E00 will provide a novel, high-impact explanation for the observed preference for lighter shades.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: Sequential Presentation (Natural then Bleached) | Experimental | Behavioral: Sequential Shade Presentation (Natural to Bleached)Participants in this arm will undergo a two-phase shade selection process. In Phase 1, they will select their preferred tooth shade from the natural range of the VITA 3D-Master shade guide (1M1 to 5M3). In Phase 2, the bleached shade tabs (0M1 to 0M3) will be introduced, and participants will be asked if they wish to maintain or alter their initial selection. The final choice and the magnitude of change (Delta L*) will be recorded. |
| Group B: Sequential Presentation (Bleached then Natural) | Experimental | Behavioral: Sequential Shade Presentation (Bleached to Natural)Participants in this arm will undergo a two-phase shade selection process. In Phase 1, they will select their preferred tooth shade from the bleached range of the VITA 3D-Master shade guide (0M1 to 0M3). In Phase 2, the full natural range (1M1 to 5M3) will be introduced, and participants will be asked if they wish to maintain or alter their initial selection. This arm serves to measure the "order effect" in the opposite direction of Group A. |
| Group C: Simultaneous Presentation (Full Range) | Active comparator | Behavioral: Simultaneous Shade Presentation (Full Range)Participants in this arm will undergo a single-phase shade selection process. They will be presented with the full range of the VITA 3D-Master shade guide, including both natural (1M1 to 5M3) and bleached (0M1 to 0M3) tabs, simultaneously. This arm serves as the control baseline to determine patient preference in the absence of sequential presentation bias. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Adult patients aged 18 years or older.
- Seeking aesthetic dental treatment (e.g., anterior restorations, veneers, or tooth bleaching).
- Possessing at least one sound, non-restored maxillary central incisor (tooth #8 or #9) to serve as a reference for objective shade measurement.
- Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.
- Fluent in the language of the study (Arabic/English) to complete the psychosocial questionnaire (PIDAQ).
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Congenital or acquired color vision deficiencies (screened using the Ishihara test).
- Cognitive impairments or psychological conditions that may affect decision-making or the ability to complete questionnaires.
- Extensive existing restorations, crowns, or severe intrinsic staining (e.g., tetracycline staining) on the maxillary anterior teeth.
- Active periodontal disease or poor oral hygiene that may interfere with accurate shade assessment.
- Previous history of professional tooth bleaching within the last 6 months.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Sequential Shade Presentation (Natural to Bleached)Participants are first presented with the natural range of the VITA 3D-Master shade guide (1M1-5M3) to select an initial preference. Following this, the bleached shade tabs (0M1-0M3) are introduced, and participants are invited to finalize their choice. This procedure measures the "pull" toward lighter shades when introduced as a secondary option. | Behavioural | Group A: Sequential Presentation (Natural then Bleached) |
| Sequential Shade Presentation (Bleached to Natural)Participants are first presented with the bleached range of the VITA 3D-Master shade guide (0M1-0M3) to select an initial preference. Following this, the full natural range (1M1-5M3) is introduced, and participants are invited to finalize their choice. This procedure measures the stability of the bleached shade preference when natural alternatives are subsequently provided. | Behavioural | Group B: Sequential Presentation (Bleached then Natural) |
| Simultaneous Shade Presentation (Full Range)Participants are presented with the complete VITA 3D-Master shade guide, including both natural (1M1-5M3) and bleached (0M1-0M3) tabs, in a single session. Participants select their preferred shade from the entire range simultaneously. This serves as the control method to establish baseline preference without sequential bias. | Behavioural | Group C: Simultaneous Presentation (Full Range) |
Primary outcome
Final Shade Selection (L* Value)
Time frame: At the time of shade selection (Day 1)
The lightness (L*) value of the final tooth shade selected by the patient using the VITA 3D-Master guide. The VITA 3D-Master tabs will be converted to CIE Lab* coordinates based on established conversion tables. This measure assesses the final aesthetic preference across the three randomized groups.
Switching Frequency
Time frame: At the time of shade selection (Day 1)
The percentage of participants in the sequential groups (Group A and Group B) who change their initial shade selection after the second range of shade tabs is introduced. This measures the stability of the initial choice and the susceptibility to presentation bias.
4 secondary outcomes
Magnitude of Shade Change (Delta L*)
Time frame: At the time of shade selection (Day 1)
Psychosocial Impact Correlation (PIDAQ)
Time frame: Baseline (Day 1)
Patient-Clinician Discrepancy (Delta E00)
Time frame: At the time of shade selection (Day 1)
Objective Color Discrepancy (Delta E00)
Time frame: At the time of shade selection (Day 1)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. annonmous shade selected by participant and clinican, with PIDAQ total scores.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Sequential Shade Presentation (Natural to Bleached), Sequential Shade Presentation (Bleached to Natural) and Simultaneous Shade Presentation (Full Range) in people with Shade Match and Teeth Color, run by University of Jordan at 1 site in Jordan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Jordan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Final Shade Selection (L* Value) (time frame: At the time of shade selection (Day 1)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Mar 2026.