Oral physiological pigmentation in a Western Cape sample

Abstract

Oral physiological pigmentation presents with great variability with respect to sites, forms, patterns and contrasts in colour. Knowledge of the existence of pigmented lesions and their significance remained unclear for both the general public and oral clinicians alike. The possibility of malignant transformation of some pigmented lesions makes them important to monitor and biopsy. The prevalence of physiological pigmentation is unknown for the defined population group in this study. The results will be beneficial as part of a larger multicentre study with South Africa (Feller et al, 2015). Methodology: A cross sectional analytical study of patients that attended the University of the Western Cape Oral Health centres for routine treatment was conducted. After obtaining informed consent, patients were screened and asked a series of questions using a standardized questionnaire. From these completed questionnaires a prevalence relating to oral physiological pigmentation was determined. Oral physiological pigmentation did not have a male or female predominance in this study population group, but was associated with increased age. Oral pigmentation seemed to be well represented after 18 years of age. Patients were not usually aware of the pigmented gingiva unless being made aware off it.