Oral pigmentation: A review

Area of Science:

• Oral pathology
• Dermatology
• Internal medicine

Background:

• Oral pigmentations are common findings with varied etiologies.
• They can range from benign physiological variations to indicators of serious systemic conditions or malignancies.
• Color changes in oral mucosa result from endogenous or exogenous pigment deposition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and categorize the diverse clinical presentations of oral pigmentations.
• To highlight the association between oral mucosal color changes and underlying systemic diseases or local pathologies.
• To provide a framework for understanding the differential diagnosis of oral pigmentations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of oral pigmentations.
• Classification of pigmentations based on color and potential etiology.
• Correlation of clinical patterns with histopathological findings and systemic associations.

Main Results:

• Oral pigmentations manifest in various colors, including blue/purple (vascular lesions), brown (melanotic or heme-associated), and gray/black.
• These variations can signify physiological states, mucosal diseases, systemic illnesses, or malignancies.
• Accurate identification of pigmentation type aids in diagnosis and management.

Conclusions:

• Oral pigmentations are significant clinical indicators requiring careful evaluation.
• Recognizing the spectrum of oral mucosal color changes is crucial for comprehensive patient assessment.
• Further research into specific etiologies can improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.