Pigmented Lesions of Oral Cavity―A Short Review

Pigmentation of oral mucosa occurs due to accumulation of pigments and thereby leading to colour change. Pigmented lesions of oral cavity can be physiologic or pathologic. The pigments causing discolouration can be either from external sources (exogenous) or internal sources(endogenous). Certain drugs can also cause pigmentation of the oral mucosa. Benign and malignant tumours of melanocytic origin can also be pigmented in nature. Endocrine diseases (adrenal) can also cause pigmentation. Diagnosing pigmented lesions requires thorough knowledge of various causes and proper diagnosis is important for planning the treatment.