Acta Odontologica Scandinavica

ISSN: 0001-6357 (Print) 1502-3850 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/iode20

Influence of refractive index on optical parameters

of experimental resin composites

Maiko Ota, Susumu Ando, Hajime Endo, Yukari Ogura, Masashi Miyazaki &
Yumiko Hosoya

To cite this article: Maiko Ota, Susumu Ando, Hajime Endo, Yukari Ogura, Masashi Miyazaki &
Yumiko Hosoya (2012) Influence of refractive index on optical parameters of experimental resin
composites, Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 70:5, 362-367, DOI: 10.3109/00016357.2011.600724

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2011.600724

Published online: 25 Jul 2011.

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Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 2012; 70: 362–367

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Influence of refractive index on optical parameters of experimental resin

composites

MAIKO OTA1, SUSUMU ANDO1, HAJIME ENDO1, YUKARI OGURA1,

MASASHI MIYAZAKI1 & YUMIKO HOSOYA2
1
Department of Operative Dentistry, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, Japan, and 2Department
of Pediatric Dentistry, Course of Medical and Dental Science, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical
Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan

Abstract
Objective. Color characteristics of the experimental resin composites were determined to know the influence of different
refractive index (RI) on optical parameters. Materials and methods. Four experimental light-cured resin composites of the
same shade but with different RI were used. The colorimetric values of the specimens were measured against black and white
backgrounds using spectrophotometry. The results were converted to CIE L*a*b* color-space values. The chroma (C*ab),
color difference (DE), translucency parameter (TP) and opacity (OP, opposite property of TP) values were calculated. Surface
gloss (GS) of the specimen was also measured. Results. The L* coordinate, a* coordinate and DE*ab values increased as the
difference in RI increased. The OP and GS values increased and the TP values decreased as the refractive-index difference
increased. The L* and C*ab values increased as the value of the RI increased. The TP, OP and GS values were highly
correlated with the RI value. The TP value decreased and the OP and GS values increased, as the RI value increased.
Conclusions. Refractive index of resin composites is important when thinking about improving the color appearance of
esthetic restorations.

Key Words: color, resin composites, refractive index, CIE L*a*b*

Introduction sometimes have a grayish aspect in comparison with

the surrounding tooth color, because the relatively
The color of a material is influenced by various factors translucent materials are affected by the darkness of
including the lighting conditions, translucency, opac- the oral cavity [4,5]. The reflection of light from
ity (OP), light scattering and surface gloss (GS) [1]. surfaces can be classified into two broad categories.
The factors that determine the color and optical The diffuse component results from light penetrating
properties of resin composites include the resin- the surface, undergoing multiple reflections and
matrix composition, the filler composition and con- refractions and re-emerging at the surface. The spec-
tent and pigments and other chemical additives [2]. ular component is a surface phenomenon that can be
Differences in the light-transmittance characteristics expressed as a function of the incidence angle and the
of resin composites of different shades can affect their refractive index of the material, the surface roughness
clinical appearance [3]. There is an increasing and a geometrical shadowing function [6]. Some
demand for restorations with improved esthetic per- portion of the incident light reflects off the back-
formance. Tooth-colored restorations should there- ground, which can affect the appearance of composite
fore aim to reproduce the color characteristics, restorations [7].
including the translucency and GS, of natural teeth. The color of a resin composite is related to the
Light-transmittance characteristics might have an scattering and absorption characteristics, light reflec-
important influence on the color of resin composites tivity and translucency of the material. Previous stud-
[4]. In cases of class IV dental caries, restorations ies of the color characteristics of resin composites have

Correspondence: Dr Masashi Miyazaki, Department of Operative Dentistry, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13, Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-Ku,
Tokyo 101-8310, Japan. Tel: +81-3-3219-8141. Fax: +81-3-3219-8347. E-mail: miyazaki-m@dent.nihon-u.ac.jp

(Received 9 March 2011; revised 27 March 2011; accepted 8 May 2011)

ISSN 0001-6357 print/ISSN 1502-3850 online  2012 Informa Healthcare
DOI: 10.3109/00016357.2011.600724
 Refractive index and optical parameters 363

described the relationships among these properties pastes were irradiated with a curing unit (Optilux 501;
and potential impacts of the translucency and GS SDS Kerr, Orange, CA) and the RI of the resultant
of esthetic restorative materials on the clinical perfor- polymers were measured 1 day after irradiation.
mance have been identified [8,9]. Understanding the The RI of the fillers were confirmed by the Becke-
relationships among these properties could therefore line method, in a series of index-matching solutions
aid the development of esthetic materials that mimic (tricresyl phosphate and dioctyl adipate), using a
the tooth structure. polarizing microscope (Eclipse LV100POL; Nikon
Resin composites contain a resin matrix and fillers Corp., Tokyo, Japan).
with various refractive indices (RI) [10,11]. The Standardized specimens were prepared using a
appearance of the restorative materials might there- 3.5-mm-thick (for the gloss measurement) or
fore depend upon the contents of the resin compo- 1.0-mm-thick (for the color measurement) acrylic,
sites. Studies have focused on the influence of the round box-shaped mold with a 10.0-mm-diameter
type, particle size and content of the fillers on the hole. Each resin composite was poured into the
appearance of resin composites [12,13]. Resin com- mold, covered with a clear plastic film and light
posites also contain an organic matrix with a refractive irradiated for 30 s using the curing unit with a light
index that differs from those of the inorganic fillers. intensity of 800 mW/cm2. The resin disk was then
The effects of the RI of the monomers on the optical removed from the mold and the bottom surface was
properties of resin composites have not been fully light irradiated for 30 s. Four disks were prepared for
explored [7]. The present study investigated the influ- each of the resin composites, and the surfaces of the
ence of the RI of the resin matrix on the color specimens were not polished after curing. The disks
properties, including the GS, of experimental resin were stored at 23 ± 1 C in a dark room for 24 h.
composites. The null hypothesis was that the RI of the The color measurements were performed using a
experimental resin composites with different RI spectrophotometer (CMS-35F S/C; Murakami Color
values did not affect the color properties, including Research Laboratory Co., Tokyo, Japan) with a Flex-
CIE L*a*b*, chroma (C*ab), color difference ible Sensor (FS-3, Murakami Color Research Labo-
(DE*ab), translucency parameter (TP), OP and GS. ratory Co.). The diameter of the illumination area was
6 mm and the diameter of the area that received light
from the object was 3.0 mm. The International Com-
Materials and methods
mission on Illumination Standard Illuminant D65
The experimental resins contained bisphenol-a-glyci- (CIE D65) was used as a light source for the spectro-
dyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA, Shin-Nakamura Chem- photometer and the illuminating and viewing config-
ical Co., Wakayama, Japan) and triethylene glycol urations were set at CIE 45 /d. The color was
dimethacrylate (TEGDMA, Shin-Nakamura Chem- measured in the reflectance mode over the white
ical Co.) mixed at a mass ratio of 38:62, 54:46, (Y = 90.56, X = 92.14, Z = 110.90) and black
71:29 or 87:13 (Shofu Inc., Kyoto, Japan). The (Y = 0.01, X = 0.01, Z = 0.01) backgrounds. All of
photoinitiator chemistry of all monomers was based the standard deviations for the XYZ values of the
on camphorquinone (0.3 wt%, Tokyo Chemical white and black background were less than 0.01. For
Industry, Tokyo, Japan) and an amine, p-dimethyl- all color measurements, the spectral reflectance was
aminobenzoic acid ethyl ester (0.3 wt%). Alumino- measured at wavelengths ranging from 380–740 nm,
silicate glass fillers treated with g-methacryloyloxy- with 2-nm intervals, and subsequently converted to
propyl trimethoxysilane (average particle size of CIE L*a*b* and CIE L*C*H* (lightness, chroma,
1.0 mm, Shofu Inc.) were used to make 68.2 wt% hue) values. The measurements were repeated three
filler-loading resin composites (Table I). times for each specimen.
The RI of the four experimental resin composites The C*ab was calculated using the following
were measured with an Abbe refractometer (NAR-2T; equation [15]:
Atago Co., Tokyo, Japan) at 23 ± 1 C [14]. Resin C ∗ab = (a *2 + b∗2 )1/ 2 .

Table I. Refractive index and monomer composition of experimental resin composites.

Refractive index

Composite Polymer Filler Bis-GMA (wt%) TEGDMA (wt%)

A 1.525 1.525 38 62
B 1.540 1.525 54 46
C 1.555 1.525 71 29
D 1.560 1.525 87 13
364 M. Ota et al.

The DE*ab between the values measured for com- Results

posite A and for the other three samples (composites
B–D) was calculated as follows [15]: The color parameter and GS values of the experi-
mental resin composites are shown in Table II. The
L*(77.4 ~ 78.9), a*(0.4 ~ 0.9) and DE*ab (0.0 ~ 2.4)
ΔE ∗ ab = [(ΔL ∗ ) 2 + ( Δa ∗ ) 2 + (Δb ∗ ) 2 ]1/2 . values increased as the RI difference increased. On
the other hand, b* (16.1 ~ 17.5) and C*ab (16.1 ~
The transparency (TP) was calculated using the 18.0) values remain in contrast regardless of the
following equation [16]: differences in RI values. The OP (30.0 ~ 57.2%)
and GS (81.2 ~ 88.7) values increased and the TP
(39.4 ~ 23.3) values decreased significantly, as the RI
TP = [(L B ∗ − L W ∗ ) 2 + (a B ∗ − a W ∗ ) 2 difference increased.
+ (b B ∗ − b W ∗ ) 2 ]1/ 2 . The results of the linear-regression analysis and the
R values between the RI and color parameters (L*,
C*ab, TP, OP and GS) are shown in Figure 1. The L*
Here, the subscript letters ‘B’ and ‘W’ refer to the
and C*ab values increased as the value of the refrac-
color coordinates over the black and white back-
tive index increased (r = 0.702 and 0.551, respec-
grounds, respectively.
tively). The TP, OP and GS values were highly
In order to indicate the translucency parameters of
correlated with the refractive index value
the specimens, the OP was calculated using the fol-
(r = 0.979 ~ 0.986). The TP value decreased, whereas
lowing equation [6]:
the OP and GS values increased as the refractive index
value increased.
OP (%) = 100 × (YB / Yw ).
Discussion
Here, YB is a Y-value backed by a light trap and YW
is a Y-value backed by a white-colored plate. Resin composites are optically translucent media
The GS of the specimen was measured with a gloss comprising a highly transparent base resin, small filler
meter (GM-26D; Murakami Color Research Labo- particles and other additives. When a white incident
ratory Co.) and was expressed in gloss units. The light is transmitted through a resin composite, it is
gloss meter was calibrated before each measurement scattered by the small filler particles before it emerges
using a standard black board with a reference value of and reaches the eye of an observer, which affects the
92.1 at a 60 incidence angle. The measurements perceived optical and color characteristics. The color
were repeated three times for each specimen. of a material is determined by a complex combination
To determine the influence of the refractive indices of its optical properties [17,18]. The light-
of the experimental resin composites on the optical transmittance and reflectance characteristics have
parameters, the value of the Pearson’s correlation an important influence on the color of composite
coefficient (R) between the refractive index and the resins [8]. In the present study, the L* and C*ab
color parameters was calculated by linear-regression values were significantly correlated with the refractive
analysis. index of the experimental resin composite (r = 0.551–
The data for each group were tested for homoge- 0.702) and the TP, OP and GS values were highly
neity of variance using Bartlett’s test and then sub- correlated with the refractive index values (r = 0.979–
jected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) 0.986). We therefore rejected the null-hypothesis that
followed by Tukey’s honestly significant difference the refractive index of the resin composite did not
(HSD) test at a = 0.05. Sigma Stat statistical software affect the color properties selected in this study.
(Version 3.1; SPSS, Chicago, IL) was used for the There is some debate as to the threshold value of
calculations and analysis. color difference that can be visually perceived. The

Table II. Color parameters and surface gloss of experimental resin composites.

Composite L* a* b* C*ab DE*ab TP OP(%) GS

A 77.4 (0.4) 0.4 (0.1) 16.1 (0.3) 16.1 (0.3) 0.0 (0.0) 39.4 (1.1) 30.0 (1.3) 81.2 (0.6)
B 78.1 (0.8) 0.5 (0.1) 16.8 (0.7) 16.8 (0.7) 1.8 (0.9) 33.6 (1.3) 39.2 (1.1) 83.2 (0.3)
C 78.7 (0.5) 0.6 (0.1) 17.5 (0.5) 18.0 (0.7) 2.4 (0.3) 27.3 (0.3) 48.6 (0.2) 87.6 (0.5)
D 78.9 (0.9) 0.9 (0.1) 16.5 (0.4) 16.8 (0.5) 2.0 (0.6) 23.3 (0.4) 57.2 (0.6) 88.7 (0.4)

n = 4, values in parentheses indicate standard deviations.

Values connected by horizontal lines indicate no significant different (Tukey HSD test, p > 0.05).
 Refractive index and optical parameters 365
A 80.5 B 20.0
y = 41.57x + 14.05
80.0 19.5 y = 35.92x – 38.55
r = 0.702
79.5 19.0 r = 0.551
18.5
79.0
18.0
78.5
L*

C*ab
17.5
78.0
17.0
77.5 16.5
77.0 16.0
76.5 15.5
76.0 15.0
1.52 1.53 1.54 1.55 1.56 1.57 1.52 1.53 1.54 1.55 1.56 1.57

RI of monomer RI of monomer

C 45.0 D 65.0

60.0 y = 730.6x – 1085.

40.0 r = –0.980
55.0

35.0 50.0

OP
TP

45.0
30.0
40.0
y = –444.0x + 717.0
35.0
25.0 r = –0.986
30.0
20.0 25.0
1.52 1.53 1.54 1.55 1.56 1.57 1.52 1.53 1.54 1.55 1.56 1.57
RI of monomer RI of monomer

E 90.0
89.5 y = 221.8x – 257.5
88.0 r = 0.979
87.0
86.0
85.0
GS

84.0
83.0
82.0
81.0
80.0
79.0
1.52 1.53 1.54 1.55 1.56 1.57
RI of monomer

Figure 1. The results of linear regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficients between the refractive index and (A) L*values
(R = 0.702), (B) C*values (R = 0.551), (C) TP values (R = 0.986), (D) OP values (R = 0.980) and (E) GS values (R = 0.979). L* and C*ab
values increased as the value of refractive index increased. TP, OP and GS values were highly correlated with refractive index value.

relationships between instrumentally measured color clinically acceptable in vitro for color match had an
differences (DE*ab) and assessments of color differ- average DE*ab of 3.7 [20]. In another clinical study,
ences by human observers were studied previously. 50% of the observers rated sample pairs of dental
The results showed that the acceptability thresholds of composite resins as unacceptable when the DE*ab
color differences were 1.1 for red-varying shades and was ~ 3.3 [21]. In the present study, the color differ-
2.1 for yellow-varying shades and the thresholds for ences between composite A and the other experimen-
perceptibility judgments were significantly lower than tal resin composites ranged from 1.8 (for composite
those for acceptability judgments [19]. In contrast, a B) to 2.4 (for composite C) and could be perceived by
clinical study of human observations and colorimetry the naked eye. In this comparison, the differences in
reported that restorations that were judged to be DE*ab value might have been caused by differences in
366 M. Ota et al.

the refractive indices of the resin composites. The the optical properties of monomers change during
L*, a*, b* and DE*ab values of objects can be polymerization as the RI rise that accompanies poly-
affected by various factors including the measurement merization and light scattering is associated with
apparatus, background color, illumination and object gelation and vitrification [28]. A linear correlation
size. has been reported between the percentage of bis-
The appearance of a restoration is strongly influ- GMA in the resin matrix and the translucency of
enced by the color, GS and translucency of the the material [22]. The difference in translucency
material. Both surface reflection and vertical attenu- could be due to the fact that bis-GMA has a refractive
ation affect the absorption and scattering of light index closer to that of the silica filler than that of
within a material [22,23]. The reflection of light TEGDMA. The chemical structural features of bis-
from the surface of restorative materials can be clas- GMA affect critical factors including the viscosity,
sified into two broad categories. The diffuse compo- diffusivity, polymerization shrinkage, mechanical
nent results from light penetrating the surface, properties and optical properties of resin composites.
undergoing multiple reflections and refractions and The color of a composite material is determined by
then re-emerging at the surface. The specula compo- a complex combination of optical properties within
nent is a surface phenomenon that can be expressed as the material. To date, this has not been fully explored
a function of the incidence angle and the RI of the either theoretically or experimentally and further
material, the surface roughness and a geometrical investigation of the precise relationship between the
shadowing function. It has been reported that the color and the r RI is required. Within the limitations
color and translucency of esthetic restorative materi- of the present study, the RI was shown to affect the
als were determined not only by macroscopic phe- color parameters of the resin composites as well as the
nomena (such as the matrix and filler compositions GS, which originates from the geometrical distribu-
and the filler content), but also by relatively minor tion of light reflected by the surface [29,30]. The
pigments and, potentially, the other chemical compo- surface roughness and GS of composite resins are
nents of the materials [6]. The influence of translu- affected by brushing and abrasive media. It could thus
cency on the shade of resin composites requires be beneficial to focus on the potential of the RI in
further investigation. order to improve the color appearance of composite
The optical properties of a resin composite con- resins.
sisting of two different transparent base monomers
and small filler particles are characterized by the Acknowledgement
differences in optical properties between these com-
ponents. In particular, differences in the RI might be This work was supported, in part, by Grant-in-Aid for
critical in determining the optical properties of resin Scientific Research (C) number 20592237 from the
composites. Differences in the optical properties and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), by
color appearance of materials were expected to be the Sato Fund, and by a Grant from the Dental
dominated by differences in the RI of the filler par- Research Center, Nihon University School of Den-
ticles and resin matrix. In the current study, greater tistry, Japan.
RI differences between the inorganic fillers and the
matrix phase of the resin composites led to a greater Declaration of interest: The authors report no
OP of the materials, due to multiple reflection and conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible
refraction at the matrix–filler interfaces. This ten- for the content and writing of the paper.
dency was in agreement with the results of a previous
study [24,25]. The color and translucency of esthetic
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