Oral Pigmented Disorders: A Review

Anjana Babu; Fathima Shajahan; Priya Thomas; Deepu George Mathew

doi:10.36437/ijdrd.2020.2.4.M

Anjana Babu House Surgeon, Department of Oral Pathology and of Microbiology, Annoor Dental College and Hospital, Muvattupuzha, Kerala, India.
Fathima Shajahan House Surgeon, Department of Oral Pathology and of Microbiology, Annoor Dental College and Hospital, Muvattupuzha, Kerala, India.
Priya Thomas Reader, Department of Oral Pathology and of Microbiology, Annoor Dental College and Hospital, Muvattupuzha, Kerala, India.
Deepu George Mathew HOD, Department of Oral Pathology and of Microbiology, Annoor Dental College and Hospital, Muvattupuzha, Kerala, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36437/ijdrd.2020.2.4.M

Keywords: Melanin, Endogenous, Exogenous, Oral mucosa.

Abstract

Oral pigmentations are common conditions which involve any part of the oral cavity. Color changes in oral mucosa can serve as a marker of local or systemic changes in our body. The pigmentations can be endogenous or exogenous, benign or malignant, physiological or pathological. Their diverse clinical picture and its presence anywhere around the oral cavity make it difficult to differentiate. As dentists are the first to identify any of the oral changes, the knowledge of aetiology, clinical features, and treatment is considered important for prompt diagnosis and treatment. This review discusses various pigmentations of the oral cavity.