The characterization and reproduction of tooth colour is a great challenge in dentistry. Esthetic expectations have exponentially increased over the last few years. Visual shade matching is a common method but varies depending on the clinician’s colour perception and experience, ambient light condition, background of the tooth, and the shade guide used. Communication with a dental laboratory poses another problem which necessitates the use of digital methods for shade matching. If accurate this method could provide objective, quantified data. Hence, the aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the current state of shade–matching technologies and instrumentation.