Surroundings

The color of the operatory walls, reflective instruments, the patient’s clothing, makeup, and bright, heavy jewelry may affect how we perceive the color of teeth, shade guides, and restorative materials.²⁸ Bright backgrounds and the surroundings can significantly impact shade selection by influencing the colors reflected in the light.⁷ Surfaces with high gloss may cause a disturbing glare, hence they should be covered with a neutral color.⁴⁸ A very light gray background provides an optimal setting for color matching and minimizes the effect of surrounding colors during the shade selection process.²⁸