Abstract: A system for color matching a dental prosthesis is provided. The system includes a shade guide or color range finder comprising a plurality of color elements, each of which identifies a different color than the remaining elements. This system also includes a plurality of plastic shells that are configured for placement on or along side a patient's anterior or posterior tooth that has previously been prepared for receiving a dental prosthesis. The shells correspond in color to the colors of the color range finder elements. The system further includes some type of coloring for selectively modifying the aesthetic appearance of a shell so that the dental practitioner can prepare an accurate representation of what is to be produced as a dental prosthesis in the laboratory.