Prevalence and pattern of physiologic oral pigmentation in a Pakistani population

Background: Excessive melanin deposition in the oral cavity without any systemic disease or other known cause is known as hyperpigmentation or physiologic pigmentation. The site and intensity of pigmentation of the oral mucosa varies in different populations, and it is especially common in individuals with darker skin tones. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of physiologic oral pigmentation in a Pakistani population and its association with age, sex, and skin tone. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study of 386 consenting individuals aged between 18 and 75 years attending a dental college over two months. Individuals with pathologic pigmentation were excluded based on their history and clinical examination. All participants underwent a comprehensive oral examination to document the sites and intensity of pigmentation, and skin tone was classified according to the Fitzpatrick phototype classifications III, IV, and V. The chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test was used in the analysis. Results: Nearly sixty percent of the population had some pigmentation within the oral cavity. The most common site of pigmentation was the attached gingiva. Oral pigmentation was significantly associated with darker skin tone and older age but not sex. Conclusion: Oral pigmentation is present in about sixty percent of the Pakistani population and is associated with darker skin tones.