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The translucency and colour of a composite resin are characterized by two wavelength-dependent parameters: the absorption coefficient, K and the scattering coefficient, S. These parameters were calculated according to the Kubelka-Munk (1931) equations for two commercial resins. The calculations were based on reflectance spectra of samples of different thicknesses which were placed on a black and a white background. Employing the values of these parameters, calculated spectra were obtained of samples on the same as well as different backgrounds. The difference between the experimental and the calculated spectra was evaluated in terms of Friele-MacAdam-Chickering (Hemmendinger, 1970) colour differences. The Munsell colour values, corresponding to the spectra were evaluated. It was found that the colour of a resin sample of a specified thickness which is placed on a particular background may be predicted to a fair degree of accuracy from calculations employing the K and S values of the resin and the reflectance spectrum of the background. It has been demonstrated that illuminating the sample at 45 degrees instead of using diffuse illumination, affected the results only to a small extent. The effect of internal reflections at the resin surface on the relfectivity on the sample is discussed. An expression has been derived for computing the reflectivity of a sample on any background from its transmittance and reflectivity on a completely absorbing background.

The luminescence spectra were obtained for a series of porcelain teeth and powders currently used in this country. Comparison was made between the spectra of these materials and the spectra of plastic teeth and natural tooth structures. It was found that many of the porcelain teeth and powders have strikingly different luminescence characteristics than those of natural teeth.

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