The Applications of Color Theory, Shade Selection and Communication in Restorative Dentistry

Tuesday, April 14, 2026
4:30 PM - 8:30 PM
In-Person CE Course/ 3 CEU /AGD PACE APPROVED

Speaker Lane M. Ochi, DDS

Lane M. Ochi  D.D.S., F.A.C.D., F.I.C.D.,  graduated with honors from the University of Southern California in 1981, where he received the Robert W. Mc Nulty Memorial Award for the highest scholastic achievement.  He has been elected to membership in Alpha Tau Epsilon - U.S.C. Dental School Honor Society, Phi  Kappa Phi - National Society of Scholars, Omicron Kappa Upsilon - National Dental Honor Society, the Pierre Fauchard Academy - International Honor Dental Society, and he is a Fellow in the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists.

Course Summary:
Color theory is a language that conceptually and perceptually describes the elements of color and their interactions. Unfortunately it’s quite a tricky concept, and we all know if the color of a restoration is off it can result in us feeling like we’ve failed and the patient walks away disappointed.

Understanding color is tricky. Slight variances in shade play with our eyes, our minds, and, ultimately, our dentistry. The illumination in the dental treatment room, optical illusions, color blindness, and fatigue are among the dental professional’s ongoing obstacles to successful shade matching. This course will enlighten the dentist and ceramist on the dimensions of color, the effect of metamerism and other phenomenon.

By being fluent in the language of color, we can sharpen our perception of color, better understand existing color dynamics, make better predictions, and communicate more clearly about color. A review of these concepts as rules and guidelines will be presented in a manner that can be utilized to resolve complex esthetic problems. Armed with this knowledge you can get your restorations to match existing colors more successfully, so your patients leave feeling happy with your restorative outcomes.

Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
• Understand the interactions of light, color, color perception and shade matching.
• Understand the phenomenon of metamerism, and how it can act as a complicating factor in shade selection.
• Understand how to make the best shade selection, and communicate it.
• Learn 3 simple tricks to improve your ability to select the most correct color.