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An amalgam tattoo is a common discoloration caused by dental amalgam particles getting stuck under oral membranes. Dentists can reduce the risk by using protective dams during procedures. It’s important to confirm that a dark spot is an amalgam tattoo and not oral cancer. Treatment should not be delayed.
An amalgam tattoo is an area of discoloration in the mouth caused by migrating particles of dental amalgam that get stuck under the oral membranes, causing a gray, black, or blue-colored spot to appear. Amalgam tattoos are very common in people who have fillings and crowns and are not a cause for concern unless people are bothered by their appearance. However, some oral cancers can look like amalgam tattoos in their early stages, so it’s important to confirm that a dark spot is indeed an amalgam tattoo and not something more sinister.
Most commonly, amalgam tattoos form during dental procedures, where amalgam flecks may be accidentally chipped off and embedded in the gums, cheeks, palate, or tongue. Dentists can reduce the risk of this by using protective dams in the mouth for procedures. It’s also possible for a filling or crown to rub against the surrounding tissue, causing a dark spot to appear on the membranes of the mouth. Usually, the spot of color is small and isolated.
Many people with these signs are unaware that they have them. An amalgam tattoo can be identified by a dentist during a routine checkup or spotted by a sharp-eyed friend or doctor. When a dark spot appears in someone’s mouth, a dentist will usually review the patient’s dental history and take x-rays to confirm that the spot is an amalgam tattoo. Metal spots in the X-ray and a history of filled teeth or crowns usually confirm the diagnosis, although a biopsy may also be done for study.
If an amalgam tattoo grows, changes shape, or becomes very tender to the touch, it could be a sign of oral cancer or another dental problem. People should keep a close eye on their amalgam tattoos and should discuss any changes that occur with a dentist. Catching the signs of a more serious problem early increases the likelihood of resolving the problem painlessly and quickly. Treatment for dental problems should never be delayed, as the problem will only get more complex and more difficult to treat with time.
Some people are bothered by uneven mouth pigmentation, especially if it appears around the lips. A minor surgery may be used to remove the discolored area of the mouth. A dentist may also recommend replacing an older filling or crown to reduce the amount of free-floating dental amalgam in your mouth so the discoloration doesn’t recur.
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