Abstract: An assembly for holding dental shade guides has a first holder and a second holder, both of which include coupler parts for coupling the holders to each other and to other holders as desired in modular fashion. Each holder may be connected to the adjacent holder in one of two possible orientations in order to bring different shade guides into closer view. Additionally, the shade guides are releasably connected to the holders and may be inserted in receptacles of the holders in a variety of orientations.

Abstract: A dental shade guide has a tooth-shaped first portion and an elongated second portion which is integrally connected to the first portion. The second portion varies in thickness in stepped fashion along its length. Both portions are made of a material having substantially the same color, thereby enabling the user to compare the color of the shade guide in differing degrees of opacity with the color of tooth structure adjacent the intended restoration, in order to increase the likelihood that the finished restoration will appear as aesthetic as possible.