A diffuse, asymptomatic, symmetrical, dark brown discoloration of both upper & lower gingiva, buccal mucosa & soft palate was accidentally found by a Dentist in a 32 year old Caucasian female. She is not a smoker,drinker, has clear medical history with no drug usage, has dark complexion without areas of discoloration locally or lymph node enlargement. What could be likely cause of Gingival Discoloration? 1. Melanoma 2. Racial Pigmentation 3.
Smoking melanosis 4. Drug induced Gingival pigmentation 5. Addison's Disease Answer: Racial Pigmentation is the answer. It is very common finding in Afro Carribean people & appear as diffuse hyperpigmentation symmetrically in all parts of oral cavity but mainly in areas susceptible to trauma as gingiva,palate,buccal mucosa. It is due to increased melanin production of normal melanocytes at basal layer as seen in this patient. Smoking Melanosis …
