Single-Shade Resin Composites in Direct Restorations: A Scoping Review of Clinical and Laboratory Evidence.

OBJECTIVES: To identify, characterize, and synthesize the scientific evidence on single-shade resin composites used in direct restorations, encompassing product characteristics, study methodologies, and both clinical and laboratory outcomes. DATA: Clinical and in vitro studies investigating single-shade resin composites in direct restorations of permanent teeth were included. Performance was classified as satisfactory or unsatisfactory based on the original authors' reported conclusions. SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched up to December 2025 with no language restrictions, following PRISMA-ScR and JBI guidelines. The protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/DXE67). STUDY SELECTION: Of 194 identified records, 51 studies met the eligibility criteria: 41 in vitro and 10 clinical. Palfique Omnichroma (PO) appeared in 46 of 51 studies, with a 58% satisfactory rate in vitro. Essentia Universal achieved 100% satisfactory results. Clinical and laboratory findings diverged: instrumental color measurements tended to favor multi-shade composites, whereas clinical evaluations demonstrated satisfactory performance for single-shade materials. CONCLUSIONS: Single-shade resin composites appear to be promising restorative materials; however, evidence is limited and relies predominantly on short-term in vitro studies. The divergence between clinical and laboratory outcomes suggests that instrumentally detected color differences may not reach clinically relevant thresholds. Well-designed clinical trials with longer follow-up periods are needed. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Single-shade resin composites may simplify shade selection and reduce chairside time in direct restorations. While short-term clinical evidence shows satisfactory color matching comparable to multi-shade materials, clinicians should consider cavity depth and substrate shade when using these materials, particularly in esthetically demanding scenarios, until long-term clinical data become available.