Review of the CIE system of colorimetry and its use in dentistry.

UNLABELLED: When we observe the light reflected from surfaces in a scene or look directly at light emitted by light sources, we experience the sensation of color. Color is just one attribute of a complex and not fully understood set of properties that define the appearance of our surroundings. To measure or specify the color of an object, we need to take into account the nature of the light under which the object is viewed, the spectral reflectance properties of the surface, and the properties of the human color vision system. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In this article the CIE system of colorimetry is briefly reviewed and its limitations are described. The consequences of these limitations for color measurement in dentistry are discussed.