Sains Malaysiana 55(4)(2026): 706-716

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2026-5504-10

 

Resin-Based Composites: Optical Behaviour, Colour Stability and the Chameleon Effect - A Comprehensive Narrative Review

(Komposit Berasaskan Resin: Tingkah Laku Optik, Kestabilan Warna dan Kesan Chameleon - Satu Kajian Naratif Komprehensif)

 

SOFYA ZULKIFFLI*, NURUL LIYANA AMINUDDIN & NOOR AZLIN YAHYA

 

Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Received: 13 January 2026/Accepted: 17 April 2026

Abstract

Aesthetic restorative dentistry demands materials capable of reproducing the complex optical behaviour of natural teeth. Resin-based composites (RBCs) have undergone significant evolution to meet these expectations, particularly in relation to colour stability, optical properties and the chameleon effect. This narrative review synthesises the conceptual foundations and recent evidence regarding optical phenomena in RBCs, including translucency, refractive index matching, fluorescence, opalescence, and metamerism. Special consideration is given to the chameleon effect and colour adjustment potential (CAP), both of which contribute to successful visual integration between restorations and natural tooth structure. The emergence of universal-shade and structural-colour composites such as those employing spherical nano-fillers to generate colour through optical resonance, marks a significant innovation in restorative dentistry. Although these materials simplify shade selection and improve workflow efficiency, their performance remains substrate-dependent and may not reliably match high-chroma or complex aesthetic cases. This review integrates current findings, highlights material-driven optical mechanisms and proposes directions for future research to optimise aesthetic outcomes in restorative practice.

Keywords: Chameleon effect; colour adjustment potential; colour stability; optical properties; resin-based composites  

Abstrak

Pergigian restoratif estetik menuntut bahan yang mampu meniru tingkah laku optik kompleks gigi semula jadi. Komposit berasaskan resin (RBC) telah mengalami evolusi yang ketara bagi memenuhi keperluan ini, khususnya dari segi kestabilan warna, sifat optik dan kesan chameleon. Ulasan naratif ini mensintesis asas konseptual dan bukti terkini berkaitan fenomena optik dalam RBC, termasuk translusensi, pemadanan indeks biasan, fluoresens, opalesens dan metamerisme. Perhatian khusus diberikan kepada kesan chameleon dan potensi pelarasan warna (CAP), yang kedua-duanya menyumbang kepada integrasi visual yang berjaya antara restorasi dan struktur gigi semula jadi. Kemunculan komposit satu-warna dan komposit warna struktur, seperti bahan yang menggunakan nano-pengisi sfera untuk menghasilkan warna melalui fenomena resonans optik, merupakan satu inovasi penting dalam pergigian restoratif. Walaupun bahan-bahan ini memudahkan pemilihan warna dan meningkatkan kecekapan aliran kerja klinikal, prestasinya masih bergantung kepada substrat dan mungkin tidak dapat memberikan padanan warna yang tekal dalam kes berwarna kromatik tinggi atau kes estetik yang kompleks. Ulasan ini mengintegrasikan keputusan semasa, menekankan mekanisme optik yang dipacu oleh sifat bahan serta mencadangkan hala tuju penyelidikan masa hadapan bagi mengoptimumkan hasil estetik dalam amalan restoratif.

Kata kunci: Kesan kameleon; kestabilan warna; komposit berasaskan resin; potensi pelarasan warna; sifat optik

 

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*Corresponding author; email: dr.sofyazul@um.edu.my