Amalgam tattoo is an iatrogenic implantation of exogenous foreign material, specifically dental amalgam, into the tissues of the oral cavity Amalgam tattoo: Due to dental silver fillings that may be implanted into the mucosa during dental procedure (PLoS One 2018;13:e0207026) Dark brown to black or fine golden to dark brown granules deposited in the dermis Smoker's melanosis: Benign pigmentation of the oral mucosa, on anterior mandibular gingiva and interdental papillae Other nonneoplastic: amalgam tattoo lingual tonsil focal / multifocal melanin pigmentation Potentially malignant & dysplasia: actinic cheilitis dysplasia leukoplakia oral submucosal fibrosis smokeless tobacco keratosis proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: SCC-general carcinoma cuniculatum verrucous ... Mucocele Salivary duct cyst Amalgam tattoo: May demonstrate opacification on radiograph Flat, blue-black pigmentation Histopathologic examination reveals foreign particles within connective tissue Melanocytic nevus (especially blue nevus): Histopathologic examination reveals focal collection of melanocytes Melanoma: Often irregular borders An amalgam tattoo isn’t like a rose drawn on your arm. This type of tattoo is actually a side effect of common dental fillings.
Amalgam tattoos often mimic the symptoms of certain dental or skin ... Skin nontumor - Tattoo May cause lymphadenopathy, usually resolves spontaneously Pigment initially within keratinocytes, fibroblasts, macrophages and mast cells; later only within dermal fibroblasts surrounded by connective tissue; eventually tattoo ink appears in regional lymph nodes Melanoma patients should be questioned regarding history of tattoos, particularly prior to sentinel node ... Amalgam Key points Dental amalgam is a safe, affordable and durable restorative material. Although amalgam remains an effective and inexpensive restorative option, environmental concerns regarding mercury have prompted legislative and regulatory action in the U.S.
amalgam tattoo, and other countries pertaining to amalgam. The ADA continues to support the use of dental amalgam based on the clinical judgment of the dentist as a safe, durable and affordable material to treat cavities if dentists and their patients agree it is the best treatment option, and dentists in the U.S. use devices called amalgam separators to prevent amalgam waste from entering the environment.
