CGI full spectrum of Stains offer a compact but versatile system of gum and characterization colors that lets dental technicians individualize both soft tissue and tooth structure with control and repeatability.
Understanding the CGI Stain System
The CGI stain range is divided into three intuitive groups: A–D universal stains, dedicated gum stains, and a full palette of characterization stains for enamel and dentin effects. This structure makes it easy to move from basic shade corrections to complex pink‑white esthetics without switching systems.
Universal stains A–D
This stains can be used as universal modifiers that follow the logic of the VITA classical A–D ranges: A (reddish‑brownish), B (reddish‑yellowish), C (greyish), and D (reddish‑grey). Here is a concise clinical‑lab description for each one that you can plug into your blog or instructions.
Shade A – reddish‑brown range (A1–A4)
Use Shade A to modify restorations within the A‑range, which represents reddish‑brown teeth (A1–A4).
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Apply thin washes in cervical thirds to increase warmth and match A2–A3 necks without over‑saturating the incisal.
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Intensify fissures and proximal areas on A3–A4 cases when you need a slightly older, deeper appearance.
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Combine with small amounts of Brown or Ochre stains when matching worn A‑range molars with heavy occlusal staining.
Shade B – reddish‑yellow range (B1–B4)
Shade B is ideal for B‑range teeth, characterized by a lighter, more yellow‑reddish hue (B1–B4).
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Use localized applications over middle and incisal thirds to reproduce the warm, creamy body typical of B1–B2 shades.
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On B3–B4, increase intensity in cervical areas and fissures to avoid a “flat” yellow; keep the incisal thinner to preserve value.
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Shade B works well over bright zirconia cores to gently neutralize excessive whiteness while remaining in the B family.
Shade C – greyish range (C1–C4)
Shade C targets C‑range shades, which shift toward a cooler, greyish hue (C1–C4).
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Apply as a veil over the entire surface when you need to reduce chroma and create a more subdued, desaturated look.
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Concentrate in proximal and cervical zones to mimic darker, slightly opaque C3–C4 teeth while keeping occlusal and incisal areas lighter.
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Combine with small amounts of Blue or Gray stains at the incisal to enhance the cool character of the C group without losing value.
Shade D – reddish‑grey range (D2–D4)
Shade D is designed for the D‑group, where teeth show a mix of reddish and greyish components (D2–D4).
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Use it to warm up greyish restorations slightly while still maintaining the characteristic muted D‑range appearance.
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Place more product at the cervical and interproximal areas to reproduce the complex color of older D3–D4 teeth with exposed dentin and shadows.
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In combination cases (e.g., adjacent C and D teeth), a very thin wash of Shade D over a C‑based build‑up helps bridge the hue gap and harmonize the arch.
By treating A, B, C, and D CGI stains you can quickly bring zirconia or porcelain frameworks into the correct hue family, then fine‑tune details with your dedicated characterization stains.
Gum stains: building life‑like soft tissue
CGI Gum Stains are dedicated pinks and reds that reproduce the subtle variations of natural gingiva. Their range covers from delicate blushes to intense, vascular tones, allowing you to individualize everything from a single pontic site to a full hybrid restoration.
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Blush: Soft, low‑chroma pink for youthful, healthy gingiva.
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Orchid: Neutral light pink that works well as a base for root eminence and papillae.
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Guava: Slightly warmer pink for patients with more saturated soft tissue.
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Tangerine: Orange‑pink shade that helps blend gingiva into warm tooth shades.
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Pomegranate: Cooler pink for anterior areas where tissue appears slightly bluish‑red.
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Chestnut: Muted mauve‑brown, perfect for sulcus depth and shadow zones.
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Sunset: Warm mid‑tone used to transition between lighter and darker gum areas.
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Squash: Orange‑based tone that is excellent at the tooth–gingiva junction.
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Coffee: Brownish modifier to deepen papilla tips and interdental shadows.
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Blackberry: Deep violet‑red for vascular effects and high‑chroma areas.
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Carmine: Intense red for accentuating marginal gingiva, especially in high‑smile lines.
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Cranberry: Strong, dark pink‑red for the most chromatic sections of the gums.
Used in combination, these shades allow you to sculpt three‑dimensional soft tissue: light tones on eminences, mid‑tones in body areas, and Coffee, Blackberry, Carmine, or Cranberry in protected sulci and embrasures.
Characterization stains: micro‑detail for teeth
CGI Characterization Stains provide a full spectrum of colors to reproduce enamel, dentin, and age‑related changes. They are designed to be layered in thin washes so the underlying structure remains visible while the surface acquires depth and vitality.
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Pink: For cervical gingival reflection or mild root exposure.
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Yellow: To warm up incisal thirds or increase chroma in A/B shade ranges.
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Green: Ideal for subtle opalescent halos and non‑carious cervical lesions.
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Pistachio: Soft green‑beige for enamel cracks and worn incisal edges.
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Ivory: Light neutral for enamel highlights and ridges.
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Orange: For occlusal fissures, dentin exposure, or nicotine‑like discolorations.
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Ochre: Deeper warm tone for age effects at cervical and proximal zones.
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Brown: Classic fissure and crack stain that emphasizes morphology.
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Violet: Enhances opalescence in incisal third and mamelon areas.
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Blueberry: Cool blue for translucent incisal edges and halo effects.
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Blue: Stronger blue for pronounced incisal translucency or internal cracks.
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Azure: Medium blue accent to modulate opalescent zones.
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Alabaster: Very light neutral for highlighting lobes and surface texture.
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White: Strong value‑raising stain for decalcifications, fluorosis spots, and line angles.
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Gray: Reduces value locally, useful for hiding connectors or substructures.
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Black: For deep fissures, strong cracks, or internal “stain lines” in older teeth.
This full spectrum palette lets you reproduce everything from youthful, translucent enamel to heavily restored, discolored dentitions using a single, compatible system.
Practical tips for daily cases
When working on a full‑arch zirconia restoration, you can start with universal stains A–D to set the baseline shade, then add Brown, Ochre, and Yellow to define fissures and cervical warmth. Incisal areas can be individualized with Blueberry, Blue, or Azure, layered very thinly to avoid over‑darkening. For pink ceramics, use Orchid or Blush as a foundation, then intensify papillae with Carmine or Cranberry while adding Coffee or Chestnut into sulci for depth.
Because all stains belong to the same CGI system, they fire predictably together, which reduces trial‑and‑error and helps you document repeatable protocols. With a small, well‑organized palette like this, technicians can standardize their approach and still offer highly customized esthetics for each patient.
Bringing CGI stains into your workflow
Whether you are completing a single anterior crown or a screw‑retained full‑arch hybrid, the CGI Stain collection provides the tools to fine‑tune color, texture, and vitality with confidence.
