Correlation of Facial Skin Colour and Melanin Pigmentation in the Gingiva of Children in Primary, Mixed and Permanent Dentition: An Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Physiologic oral pigmentation is a typical finding in paediatric dentistry. Gingival pigmentation has a wide range of occurrence rates depending on race, country and the influence of genetics. This study aims to determine the anatomic distribution of physiologic gingival melanin pigmentation and the relationship between skin colour and gingival melanin pigmentation intensity in children with primary, mixed and permanent dentition. Materials and Methods: Patient photographs of the skin of the face and intraoral soft tissues were taken in the standardised photographic conditions. Photographs were reproduced on a computer for assessment at a standardised point for skin and intraorally for interdental, marginal and attached gingivae. The intensity of melanin pigmentation of the skin of the face and marginal, interdental and attached gingiva was observed by calculating CIE*L*a*b* values on Adobe Photoshop in 2008 individuals. Results: The P value was kept significant at <0.05. The mean value of the difference in marginal and attached gingiva pigmentation was statistically significant between the primary and permanent dentition groups. The correlation was positive and low between age and pigmentation at the attached gingiva as the correlation coefficient. The correlation was positive and low between skin pigmentation and pigmentation at attached and marginal gingiva as the correlation coefficient. Conclusions: The intensity of the skin’s pigmentation can be used as a predictor of the pigmentation of gingivae. Of all the other areas of the gingiva, the intensity of pigmentation in the attached gingiva is the highest. As one age, the intensity of pigmentation at the attached gingiva also increases.