Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental device which detects the color of a damaged tooth and automatically determines the proper restorative dental material to be used to repair the damaged tooth. The device illuminates the tooth with light and detects the various color components of light reflected off the tooth. Signals indicative of the various color components are then processed and compared against known reference signal values indicative of the color of various restorative materials in order to determine which of the plurality of restorative dental materials best matches the color of the tooth. The device then displays a message indicative of the chosen material. The detector is preferably a lightweight, hand-held, battery powered device, which includes a wand assembly which is placed against the tooth. A disposable, replaceable, protective sheath is placed over the wand to ensure the health and safety of the patient.