Dra. Cléo Salustiano In this article
SummaryHow the shade guide worksWhy teeth change color and how shade is chosenFAQRead nextTooth Shade Guide: What A1, B1, B2 and BL Shades Mean
Quick summary of this article+
On the classic Vita guide, the letter shows the hue family (A reddish-brown, B yellowish, C greyish, D reddish-grey) and the number shows intensity: the higher, the darker. B1 and A1 are among the lightest natural shades, and B2 is a common light yellowish shade. BL shades sit above B1 and describe whitened teeth or cosmetic materials; on the most used guides, BL1 is the whitest. A tooth's color varies from edge to gum and changes over time. To change color, whitening usually comes before composite and veneers, whose shade is chosen together with the patient. In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients every day, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
On the shade guide dentists use most, the classic Vita scale, each shade has a letter and a number. The letter shows the hue family: A leans reddish-brown, B yellowish, C greyish and D reddish-grey. The number shows intensity: the higher it is, the more saturated and darker. So B1 and A1 are among the lightest natural shades, and B2 is a light yellowish shade common in natural teeth. BL ("bleach") shades sit above B1 and describe a white lighter than natural teeth usually are.
In clinical practice, many patients ask "what is my shade?" or request a specific number they saw on social media. The scale helps dentist and patient speak the same language, but perceived color also depends on light, translucency, shine and contrast with skin, lips and gums. The number is a reference, not the whole result.
Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844), a dentist in Mooca focused on cosmetic dentistry, explains how to read the shade guide, why teeth change color and how shade is chosen for whitening, composite and veneers.
This article comes from Dr. Cléo Salustiano's dental office in Mooca, São Paulo (care in English, Portuguese and Spanish). See the teeth whitening page to learn how the treatment is done here and book your assessment.
How the shade guide works
The classic Vita guide has 16 shades: A1, A2, A3, A3.5 and A4; B1, B2, B3 and B4; C1, C2, C3 and C4; and D2, D3 and D4. At the visit, the dentist compares tooth-shaped tabs with the patient's tooth, ideally under natural or color-corrected light, looking mainly at the middle third of the tooth. There is also the Vita 3D-Master guide, which organizes shades by lightness, chroma and hue, and some composite manufacturers use their own names.
A1 or B1, which is lighter? In the lightness order of the classic guide, B1 is usually considered the lightest natural shade, followed by A1. The difference between them is more about hue than lightness: A1 has a slight reddish base, B1 a slight yellowish base. Many adults' natural teeth fall in the A2 to A3 or B2 to B3 range, which is normal.
BL shades (for example BL1, BL2, BL3 and BL4) were created to describe whitened teeth and cosmetic materials lighter than B1. On the guides most used for composite, BL1 is the whitest and BL4 the closest to a very light natural tooth, but naming can vary between manufacturers. The article composite veneer shades BL1 to BL4 explains how to choose between them.
A single tooth does not have just one color: the edge is usually more translucent, the middle lighter and the area near the gum more saturated. That is why, in fillings and veneers, the dentist may combine more than one shade and different levels of translucency so the result looks natural.
| Shade | What it indicates | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A1, A2, A3, A3.5, A4 | Reddish-brown family, lightest to darkest | A2 and A3 are common in natural teeth |
| B1, B2, B3, B4 | Yellowish family, lightest to darkest | B1 is usually the lightest natural shade |
| C1 to C4 | Greyish family | More common in teeth with lower brightness |
| D2 to D4 | Reddish-grey family | Less frequent |
| BL1 to BL4 | "Bleach" shades, lighter than B1 | Used after whitening and in veneers |
Why teeth change color and how shade is chosen
Over time, teeth often look more yellow or "faded": enamel wears and thins, letting more of the naturally yellower dentin show. Pigments from coffee, tea, wine and smoking, old fillings, trauma and some medications also change color. A single tooth that darkened on its own, unlike its neighbors, deserves an assessment; see stained or darkened tooth.
To change the color of natural teeth, the most conservative path is usually supervised whitening. Fillings and veneers do not whiten, so when someone also wants to replace composite or get veneers, whitening usually comes first and the material shade is chosen after the teeth's color stabilizes.
For veneers and dental "contact lenses", color is decided together: the dentist shows shades on the guide, considers the teeth that will not be treated, skin tone and the person's expectations and often tries the shade in the mouth first. The composite veneers guide and the thin composite veneers in Mooca page explain this step.
This content is for information only and does not replace an assessment. Consult a dentist to find out your current shade and what can be changed safely. In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano sees patients every day, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays and holidays, offering teeth whitening and composite veneers.
What do A1 and B1 mean for tooth color?
+
They are shades on the classic Vita guide. The letter shows the hue family: A has a reddish-brown base and B a yellowish one. The number 1 is the lightest shade in each family. B1 and A1 are among the lightest natural shades on the guide.
A1 or B1: which is lighter?
+
In the lightness order of the classic guide, B1 is usually considered the lightest, followed by A1. The difference between them is more about hue, with A1 slightly reddish and B1 slightly yellowish, than about lightness.
Is B2 a nice tooth shade?
+
B2 is a light yellowish shade and is common in healthy natural teeth. There is no single right color for everyone: what looks harmonious depends on the face, skin tone, lips and the person's expectations.
What is the BL shade scale?
+
It is a scale of "bleach" shades lighter than B1, used to describe whitened teeth and cosmetic materials such as composite and ceramic. On the guides most used for composite, BL1 is the whitest and BL4 the closest to a very light natural tooth.
Why are my teeth getting more yellow?
+
Over time, enamel thins and the yellower dentin shows more. Coffee, tea, wine, smoking and old fillings also play a role. A single tooth that suddenly darkens should be assessed, as it may be related to trauma or a nerve problem.
How can I change my tooth color safely?
+
For natural teeth, the most conservative path is usually supervised whitening. Fillings and veneers do not whiten and may need replacing afterwards. Your dentist assesses what makes sense for your case.
Where can I have my tooth shade assessed in Mooca?
+
In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) assesses tooth color and plans whitening, composite and veneers at Rua Hipódromo, 1141, near Bresser-Mooca station, Monday to Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including holidays, via WhatsApp (11) 97409-7834, in Portuguese, English or Spanish.
