ISBN-13: 9786205516454 / Angielski / Miękka / 52 str.
Pigmentation is the both normal and abnormal discoloration of oral mucous membrane. Pigmentation has multifactorial etiology. Most of the pigmentation is physiologic but sometimes it can be a precursor of severe diseases. Melanin pigment irregularities and color changes of the oral tissues could provide significant diagnostic evidence of both local and systemic disease. Evaluation of a patient presenting with pigmented lesion should include a full medical and dental history, extraoral and intraoral examinations, and laboratory tests.The history should include the onset and duration of lesion, the presence of associated skin hyperpigmentation, the presence of systemic signs and symptoms (e.g. malaise, fatigue, weight loss), use of medicines, and smoking habits. Pigmented lesions on the face, perioral skin and lips should be assessed. In general, benign pigmented lesions show regular borders and are small, symmetric and uniform in color. They may be either flat or slightly elevated. In contrast irregular borders, color variation, and surface ulceration suggests malignancy.