Insights on Novel Dental Resin Composites: A Scoping Review

Dental resin composites (DRCs) are widely used restorative materials because of their aesthetics, ease of handling, and compatibility with minimally invasive approaches. Research continues to improve their formulations and properties. This scoping review aimed to summarize and analyze evidence on novel DRCs and their potential development, and to discuss current trends, technologies, and research areas that may shape their evolution. A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus was conducted for studies published or available online from 2010 to 2024. Fifty-nine studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. The included studies described innovations designed to address clinical needs through bioactive materials, antibacterial agents, sustainable fillers, modified monomer systems, and other functional strategies. Future research should optimize additive concentrations, evaluate long-term clinical performance, and address cost-effectiveness, aesthetic limitations, standardization, and translational feasibility.