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| If you have come here
to look for images of lumps, bumps, sores or
discolorations that you noticed in the mirror this
morning, this is one of four pages with images you may
find useful. Read this page,
Then proceed to three other pages on which you
will find more images of both normal and abnormal oral
structures and lesions
|
Non cancerous lumps, bumps
and abnormalities in the mouth
Sores, Bumps, Lumps and
abnormalities in the mouth that are commonly mistaken for cancer
but are NOT
| The following is a list of everything you wanted to
know about the sores and bumps that occur in the mouth.
Some of these are considered normal oral anatomy.
Others are abnormal but not treated since they heal by
themselves or are harmless, while still others are
considered pathological (sickness) but are generally
ignored since treatment is not available. Click on
the associated thumbnail to enlarge the picture. |
>
|
Hard bony bumps under the gums (tori)
"Torus" is Latin for "bull", and these bumps
probably get their name from their bulbous shape and the fact
that they are made of strong, hard bone.
Torus
palatinus--These are simply hard, bony growths
covered by firm, pink gum tissue on the hard palate.
They are solidly bound down to the underlying bone and
cannot be moved around with finger pressure. These
start out as small hard bumps in the center of the
palate in younger persons, but they tend to enlarge as
the patient gets older. They develop very slowly and do
not appear suddenly over the course of a few weeks or
months. They are considered normal anatomy unless they
become too large or they interfere with the construction
of an upper denture, in which case they are removed by
an oral surgeon. Sometimes, patients will have a large
torus for years, but not realize that it was there all
along until, one day, quite suddenly, they notice it for
the first time. At that point, they think they have
developed oral cancer, but find, after considerable
worry that it is really just their normal anatomy. |
|
Torus
Mandibularis--These are the same type of
growths as the Torus Palatinus except that they grow on
the inside of the lower jaw. Again, they can
grow quite large, or they may remain as small bumps.
They are also bound to the underlying bone and cannot be
moved around with finger pressure. These are also quite
often mistaken by patients for oral cancer. Very large
mandibular torii can become a nuisance since they are
covered with easily abraded soft tissue and can become
quite sore when eating hard or irritating foods. In
situations like this, it is advisable to visit an oral
surgeon and have them removed. The operation is not
especially difficult, and aside from transient post
operative discomfort, the effects are immediate and
quite positive. |
Exostoses
Exostoses
are simply hard bumps that occur on the bone on the
outside of the top or bottom teeth. Like tori, they
are solidly bound down to the underlying bone and are
not movable. They can be quite tiny, feeling like a
large, immovable grain of sand under the gums, or they
can be quite large as in the image to the right. In
general, they are considered normal anatomy and are left
alone unless they interfere with the construction of a
denture, in which case they are removed by an oral
surgeon. |
Tongue
abnormalities
Burning mouth syndrome
(BMS) (also known as burning tongue syndrome)
A
small percentage of older men and women (mostly women),
generally at, or around the age of menopause develop a problem
with chronic burning pain and phantom tastes in their mouths.
It can occur on the palate, but most often centers on the tongue. The tongue itself looks
perfectly normal. It just develops a burning sensation that
progresses throughout the day, disappears overnight, and
reappears the next day after eating. These patients may have seen
numerous doctors to try to rid themselves of the annoying, and
sometimes painful symptoms, but generally to no avail. The
problem has been ignored for centuries because there seemed to
be no physical reason for the symptoms, and because it was
believed that it was a hysterical symptom brought on by
emotional distress. In fact, the problem sometimes does respond
to antidepressant drugs like Elavil.
A theory to explain some cases of BMS
Recent research (Google
Dr. Linda Bartoshuk) has revealed a hypothesis
(not proven) which might explain
BMS (Burning Mouth Syndrome). It involves actual damage to the
seventh cranial nerve which supplies the taste buds in
the anterior 2/3 of the tongue. This may be caused by the change
in hormonal balance due to menopause and/or a viral
infection. The theory is that these persons have lost
much of their ability to taste, even though many do not
realize their loss since the brain is good at amplifying
small signals. This loss of the function in a branch of the 7th nerve
(the
corda tympani) leaves the
trigeminal nerve in a
position of dominance. (The trigeminal is the
nerve responsible for transmitting the sensations of touch
and pain from the face and mouth to the brain.) This
theory assumes a sort of balance between the two nerves, and
if a patient suffers a loss of ability to taste because of
damage to the 7th cranial nerve, then the brain compensates
for the loss of taste by amplifying the signals from both
the corda tympani and the trigeminal nerve in the tongue and
palate. The increase in sensitivity in the trigeminal
causes phantom pain in the structures of the mouth, sort of
like turning up the volume on a weak radio station also
increases the background hiss. In addition, as a
result of the exaggeration of the taste impulses from the 7th cranial nerve, the
brain begins to generate phantom taste sensations. This
sort of taste hallucination is similar to the tactile "fat lip"
sensation that a patient feels when the conduction of the
trigeminal nerve is blocked by a shot of a local anesthetic to
numb the lower teeth. It's not really a fat lip, but the
brain interprets it that way. Same thing with phantom
taste sensations.
Ways to treat BMS
Sometimes people develop this problem due to a
hypersensitivity to some toothpaste or oral rinse that they have
recently begun using. The first line of defense is to change
your toothpaste to a type with only fluoride (Tom's of Maine
is a reasonable choice) and cut out mouth rinses. The type
of toothpaste most often involved with this type of
hypersensitivity are those containing pyrophosphates which are
added to reduce the buildup of calculus (like Crest Complete or
Colgate Total) Also try to determine if you have recently been
taking a new medication who's introduction coincided with the
onset of the symptoms. A simple change of medication could
make the difference.
It was discovered, quite by accident, that patients suffering
from epilepsy who also suffered BMS experienced relief from the
symptoms of both of these ailments by the administration of the
epilepsy drugs clonazepam (Klonopin) and gabapentin (Neurontin).
Thus a small, once or twice a day oral dose of of one of
these drugs has been found to relieve the symptoms of BMS in
most patients. Alternatively, clonazepam may be dissolved in
the mouth using 1/2 of a .5 mgm tablet twice a day. Another
drug which has been found to be useful in treating BMS is Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) not to exceed 10 mgm three times
per day.
Another treatment that may work (or at least reduce
the symptoms) in about 1/2 of sufferers is capsaicin desensitization. Capsaicin is the ingredient in hot peppers
that makes them hot. The regimen is dilution of one part
Tabasco sauce in two or three parts water with the patient
rinsing and expectorating (spitting out). This is done every
2-3 hours at first, and tapering off over a day or two to once
or twice a day. Be careful. Some people are hypersensitive to
capsaicin, so if the burning is too severe, stop immediately!
Bald tongue (Atrophic glossitis)
As
people begin to reach their senior years, sometimes they notice
that their tongue begins to burn when eating sharp tasting
foods. A look in the mirror reveals a beefy red tongue lacking
the filiform papillae which, in health, give the top (dorsal)
surface of the tongue a normal, light pink, velvet appearance.
The loss of the filiform papillae is known as atrophic glossitis,
and it may be caused by several different factors.
The first factor is nutrition. Atrophic glossitis is
most often caused by a lack of B vitamins in the diet. The
addition of daily doses of folic acid, niacin, vitamin B12,
pyroxidine, riboflavin, and even Iron, all in the form of a
simple daily multiple vitamin tablet may help to restore the
tongue and relieve the burning on eating.
The second factor is an oral yeast infection known as
thrush, also known as
candadiasis. In older patients with weak immune function, the
mouth acts as a good incubator for yeast cells. These
accumulate under a denture and often cover the tongue leaving a
white coating that is easily scraped off revealing red tissue
underneath. This is easily treated with Mycelex troches, or a
single Diflucan tablet. Both of these are anti-fungal
medications.
The third factor is mechanical abrasion of the tongue against
a rough dental appliance, or occasionally on the teeth
themselves, producing a more localized, persistent area of
smooth surface on the tongue. This is treated by building a new
denture and repairing or removing rough, broken teeth.
Sometimes it is as easy as scraping hardened dental
calculus off the insides of
the lower front teeth.
Lingual
Tonsil--These are covered in depth
above, but they are
often mistaken for cancerous growths simply because
people rarely look at this area of the tongue. When
they do, they see this normal bit of anatomy and
assume that it is some sort of pathological growth.
It's not. Here's a tip. Whenever you see something you
think may be an abnormality in your mouth, look for
another one on the opposite side of the mouth. If you
see a "matched set", they are probably "normal
anatomy". |
|
Black
or white hairy tongue--This
condition is covered
on
the oral anatomy page.
It is NOT a sign of incurable disease. It usually
occurs during ordinary febrile illnesses and the "hair"
can be scraped off easily with a
tongue scraper.
The hairy coating is a breeding ground for various
bacteria and yeasts, and sometimes responds well to
topical fungicides such as Nystatin. This condition is
not contagious. Click on the image to see other
cases of white and black hairy tongue. See my page
on
Halitosis for detailed
instructions on treating this condition. |
|
Geographic
tongue--This condition is characterized
by the disappearance of the
filiform
papillae from irregular patches on the
top surface of the tongue. Then, the patches "heal" up
and reoccur on another part of the tongue at a later
date. This process keeps going on and on over time, and
one can see lesions in varying stages of healing over
large expanses of the tongue. No one knows why some
people get this condition. It is thought to be an oral
form of psoriasis (a common skin condition). Patients
who live with this problem frequently complain of pain
on eating sharp foods. Serious outbreaks can be treated
with topical application of steroid gels. Otherwise it
is not treated. It is not a contagious condition.
Recently, it has been noted that this condition is seen
more frequently in AIDS patients, however the presence
of geographic tongue certainly does NOT mean that the
patient has AIDS. Click on the image to see more
cases. |
|
Macroglossia (large tongue)
The
tongue normally resides on the inside of the arch formed
by the lower teeth. Most people's tongues fit neatly
into this space, however, a minority of people have
tongues which are a bit larger than the space
available. This does not mean that the patient cannot
actually fit their tongue into this space. The tongue
is a very flexible organ, and can accommodate itself to
the prevailing conditions easily. On the other hand,
once fitted into the space, it relaxes and presses up
against the teeth. This causes the tongue to fill up
the space available. Tongues like this have scalloped
edges like the one pictured to the right. The scallops
reflect the shape of the teeth as well as the spaces
between them. This condition is often associated with
burning around the edges of the tongue. Click the image
to see why, and for larger images. |
|
Fissured Tongue
(Scrotal tongue)
Fissured
tongue, also known as scrotal tongue is characterized by
folds and fissures in the dorsal (top) surface of the
tongue.
The fissures are of variable depth and usually extend
laterally from a median groove as is pictured in the
thumbnail. This condition does not cause any symptoms,
unless food particles and debris lodge in the depths of
the fissures causing a mild glossitis
(inflammation of the tongue).
It is considered to
be a normal form of tongue anatomy. |
|
Enlarged
Circumvallate Papillae--Circumvallate
papillae, described above are part of the
normal anatomy of the tongue. Generally, these
structures are flat and innocuous, however occasionally,
a patient presents with enlarged papillae. They are
considered normal. The whiteness on the rest of the
tongue in this image is the appearance of the
filiform papillae
in the glare of a flash camera. |
|
Median
Rhomboid Glossitis--This is a common
condition, considered to be normal anatomy. It consists
of a discrete, red, "bald" area on the back of the
tongue in the center. It was once thought to be a
remnant of embryonic development, however it seems to
respond to Nystatin and other anti fungal medications
which infers that it is actually a chronic fungal
infection. It can be quite large covering a full 1/3 to
1/2 of the surface of the tongue. It is rarely treated,
and is not contagious. |
|
Ankyloglossia
(tongue tied)--When the tongue is anchored to the
floor of the mouth by a very short
lingual frenum (the
chord that runs from the underside of the tongue to the
floor of the mouth), it tends to limit the mobility of
the tongue. This limits the ability of the patient to
"stick out" the tongue and negatively effects speech.
This condition is called ankyloglossia (literally "tied
tongue"). The abnormality is easily corrected by an
oral surgeon. The procedure is called a lingual
frenectomy. A horizontal incision is made through
the lingual frenum and the tongue is lifted up causing
the horizontal incision to widen out into a vertical
slit. This vertical slit is then sutured (sewn)
releasing the tongue. Click on the image to
view the complete operation.
Visit the site of Dr.
Bechara Y.
Ghorayeb, MD
who leant this image to
me. |
Abnormalities of the gums
Gingivitis--Normally
the gums are a fairly
uniform shade of pink.
If plaque is left around the necks of the teeth for a
long time, however, the margins of the gums react by
becoming red, swollen, and sometimes misshapen as seen
in the image to the right. Although this looks
terrible, the condition generally goes away with the
removal of the plaque through good, once a day oral
hygiene. This condition is covered quite well on my page
on
periodontal disease. |
|
Periodontitis--If
oral hygiene remains very poor for long periods of time
after the age of 25, the damage to the gums goes beyond
a simple inflammation of the margin of the gums. The
condition can become quite severe and cause an erosion
of the bone that supports the teeth, allowing the teeth
to become loose and painful to touch. The ultimate
result of this can cause the loss of the teeth. This
condition is covered on my page on
periodontal disease. |
|
Trench
Mouth (Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis--ANUG)--During
World War I, soldiers had little opportunity to brush
their teeth and they were under tremendous psychological
and physical stress. This combination, stress and poor
oral hygiene can lead to a very severe form of
gingivitis in which the margins of the gums actually
begin to rot (necrotize). This condition happens even
today whenever a person fails to brush his/her teeth and
lives under stressful conditions (or has any medical
condition which lowers the functioning of his or her
immune system). The gums become quite sore to touch and
the breath takes on a characteristic fetid (bad) odor.
In spite of the alarming appearance, this condition is
quite easy to treat using light debridement (cleaning)
and hydrogen peroxide, and with good oral hygiene will
not return. |
|
Pericoronitis--This
condition is covered on the
extraction page.
It is simply an infection around an unerupted tooth. In
this case, it has occurred around a wisdom tooth. Like
all infections, it responds to debridement (cleaning)
and antibiotics, although it will reoccur several times
a year until the impacted tooth is extracted. |
|
Parulus--Better
known as a "gum boil", this sore happens on the gums at
the tip of the root of a tooth in which the nerve has
died. The nerve in the tooth dies because of deep
decay, as in this thumbnail, or because of some other
traumatic event that disturbs the blood flow to the
nerve. The parulus is the result of the pressure of an
abscess in the bone due to the toxic nature of dead
nerve tissue. It is an attempt by the body to allow
drainage of pus. The treatment for this condition is
either
extraction or a
root canal for the
offending tooth. |
|
Pyogenic
granuloma (Pregnancy tumor)--The pyogenic
granuloma is a relatively common overgrowth of red
granulation tissue that happens in response to chronic
irritation. Granulation tissue is the body's initial
response to healing any injury, and consists of raised,
soft, red tissue that bleeds easily. In the case
pictured here, it appeared as a response to chronic
irritation from the accumulation of plaque under an
orthodontic wire. It can occur at any age, but is most
common in teenagers and young adults. It is frequently
seen in pregnant women where it is triggered by hormonal
imbalance due to pregnancy. Click on the image to
enlarge. |
Abnormalities of the lips and the inside of the cheeks
Aphthous ulcer--Better known as Canker sores,
these lesions are very painful (unlike most oral
cancers). The pain can be quite severe involving wide
areas of the mouth or head. (See discussion of
referred pain.)
Aphthous ulcers occur generally on the soft
unattached gingiva,
in the
vestibule or on the
cheek mucosa, on the floor of the mouth, or on the
under-surface or lateral borders of the tongue. Upon
rare occasion, they occur on the
soft palate (see
image on the left, and click it for a larger view).
They are characterized by a white center surrounded by a
thin red, inflamed border. No one knows exactly why
some people seem prone to these sores, or why they occur
at all. They are NOT due to a dietary deficiency! They
are related to stress and possibly food sensitivities.
They generally disappear spontaneously within 10-14
days.
This condition happens in two varieties, each of
which has its own treatment protocol:
Minor aphthous is defined as the occasional,
small ulcer that most persons experience no more than
once or twice a year. These lesions are generally
small (2-4 mm), and the ulcers are treated as isolated
entities (one at a time).
- Topical applications of steroids such as
"Lidex gel" or "Kenalog
in Orabase"
® (Note: Lidex is approximately ten times stronger
than Kenalog, but Kenalog has the advantage of the
Orabase which acts as a Band-Aid and keeps the
steroid in
place longer). These drugs are applied after meals
and before bedtime, and both are prescription
drugs. They generally reduce or eliminate pain
immediately and bring about resolution of the canker
in two to three days. I prefer Kenalog in
Orabase in my own practice
-
Aphthasol paste
® is a
prescription drug that is applied directly to the
ulcer four times a day (the same as Kenalog in
Orabase).
- Cautery using either chemical or laser
treatment.
This type of treatment is palliative only, and does
not treat the underlying condition. Cautery is
done in the dental office to relieve the pain caused
by a specific aphthous ulcer.
- Chemical cautery agents include silver
nitrate (generally on a wooden stick) or
commercial agents such as Debacterol®,
both of which are applied by a dentist or
physician and offer immediate pain relief.
- Over-the-counter agents such as Zilactin®,
Ora5®
and Gly-Oxide®
are mild cautery agents that work more
slowly.
- Laser treatment is quick and painless and
also offers immediate pain relief. This is
generally done only on small lesions in the
dentist's office.
Some unfortunate people are plagued with major
aphthous. These people get very frequent
recurrences of very large and severe lesions.
Major aphthous has no known cure, but all aphthous
lesions may be treated using the following methods:
- Vitamin B12 has been found to be
effective in reducing the frequency and severity of
the lesions in patients suffering from major
aphthous. 1 mg is dissolved under the tongue
every evening. Some formulations of vitamin
B12 are manufactured specifically for this route of
administration.
- Steroid mouth rinse--
Betamethasone sodium
phosphate (Betnesol mouthwash/Diprolene) one 0.5mg
tablet dissolved in 5 to 10 ml of water. Patients
rinse using this solution four times a day (after
meals and before bed) whenever lesions are present.
Another method is for the patient to mix about 1/4
inch of Fluocinonide (Lidex) cream or gel in four
ounces of water. This mouth rinse is used the
same way that betamethasone is used.
Remember--Never swallow a steroid mouth rinse! Steroids are powerful
drugs and mouth rinses made with them should be used
sparingly since they can have systemic effects, even
when used topically.
More information on treatment modalities for major
aphthous can be found by clicking
here.
Canker sores are not contagious. For more on
aphthous, click on one of the images above.
 Stenson's
Duct--
The opening of the duct of the
parotid saliva gland
is called Stenson's Duct. Everyone
has two of them. They are located on the inside
of each cheek beside the upper molars (back
teeth). They can be felt with the tip of the
tongue as small "flaps" of cheek mucosa ("skin")
running from the back to the front of the mouth,
about a half inch long and about even with the
chewing surfaces of the top back teeth. Unless
they become infected they are difficult to see,
so I have provided two images. They tend to
have a bluish tint which is sometimes more
easily seen than the actual tissue flap. One,
or upon rare occasion, both of these can become
infected, in which case they may manifest as
swollen, red and sore bumps in the same
location. This is most likely to happen when
saliva flow is reduced from its normal levels,
often due to prolonged usage of decongestants
and antihistamines or other drugs which cause
dry mouth. Infection of Stenson's duct is
another example of a retrograde infection
in which normal oral bacterial flora ascends up
the duct because too little saliva is descending
from the parotid glands into the mouth. The
usual treatment is a course of antibiotics
(generally penicillin or Zithromax). |
|
|
Herpes
Labialis-- Better known as "Cold sores",
These sores are the result of an infection with a common
virus known as Herpes Labialis. The virus is very
contagious, and if one member of a family comes down
with this lesion, others in the family may be prone to
get it as well. They most usually occur on the corners
of the lips, however they can occur inside the mouth in
young children (as a primary, or first infection), or in
individuals with compromised immune systems. This
condition is well covered on my page on
AIDS, however, the
presence of this sore does NOT imply the presence of
HIV! A typical cold sore lasts from 7 to 14 days if
left untreated. It may be treated using acyclovir cream
(Zovirax®) or penciclovir cream (Denavir®). Herpes
simplex is a very contagious virus. If one person in a
family gets a cold sore, then others in the family may
get one also. |
|
Angular
Cheilitis--This lesion presents as dry,
scaly, red skin at the corners of the lips. It
frequently occurs in cold, dry weather. People who
produce a lot of saliva or tend to have moist corners of
the lips due to
poorly fitting dentures
are especially prone to this problem. It is also
frequent in persons who have reduced immune function.
It is caused by a persistent yeast infection, and is
easily treated with daily applications of an antibiotic
specific for yeast like nystatin cream, or a cream that
contains both a yeast specific antibiotic and a steroid,
such as Mycolog II®,. This condition is also covered on
my page on
AIDS, but the
presence of these lesions does NOT imply the presence of
HIV. Angular cheilitis is not contagious. |
|
Mucocele--A
mucocele (pronounced "muco-seel") is a mucous filled sac
that forms, generally on the soft, pink mucosa on the
inside of the lips or cheeks as the result of a
traumatic incident that causes the patient to lacerate
the tissue. If you gently bite the inside of your lower
lip, you will notice that the tissue, held between the
teeth, is sort of bumpy. Each of those little bumps
represents a mucous or saliva gland, and each of these
glands has a tiny duct that empties the mucous produced
by that gland inside the mouth on the surface of the
mucosa. If, due to a traumatic incident one or more of
these ducts are severed, the mucous produced by the
gland may not be able to reach the surface of the mucosa
and it may produce a bluish blister filled with mucous.
The blister breaks every so often, heals up and then
refills with mucous, only to burst again later. These
lesions are generally removed by an oral surgeon. They
are not dangerous. |
|
Fordyce
Granules--These are tiny yellowish flecks that
appear on the inside of the cheek mucosa and on the
lips. They are actually misplaced sebaceous glands.
Sebaceous glands normally occur in the skin outside of
the mouth, and their function is to keep the skin moist
and lubricated. Since the mouth is always moist anyway,
they have no real function there, but their presence is
considered normal. |
|
Lichen
Planus--Lichen Planus is actually a
dermatological autoimmune disease that is often first
diagnosed by a dentist due to its characteristic
appearance in the mouth. In the mouth it appears as a
series of filamentous, white, lacey lines on the
inside of the cheeks or on nearly any other oral
tissue. Lesions can occur on other parts of the body
as well, most notably on the skin of the anticubital
space (inside of the elbows).
Most
of these lesions are painless, but sometimes they occur
on attached tissue such as the palate where they can be
quite painful. They can also cause quite a bit of
burning in the mouth when eating sharp foods. The image
on the right is a fairly common presentation, and an
obvious diagnosis. the image on the left shows a more
subtle presentation under the tongue. Click on either
image to see it full size. This condition is thought to
be an autoimmune condition associated with exposure to
drugs to which the patient may be sensitive. It is
especially associated with certain antihypertensive
drugs, NSAIDs, tetracycline and several sulfonamides, as
well as a number of "recreational" drugs. The condition
often improves with the cessation of the offending
drug. The condition is more of a nuisance than a
disability. The oral symptoms are often treated with
steroid mouth rinses. If the symptoms are not severe,
it is not treated at all. Lichen planus is not a
contagious condition. Chronic lichen planus has been
known to (very rarely) morph into squamous cell oral
cancer. |
|
Fibroma--Fibromas
are overgrowths of connective tissue. In the oral
cavity they occur as firm, well defined "lumps" of
uniformly pink tissue. They are generally not
bound down to any underlying tissue, so their movement
is limited only by the overlying tissue. They generally
grow to a particular size (most commonly a centimeter
across or less) and then stop growing. They can remain
unchanged for many, many years. They are either ignored
or removed by an oral surgeon. They are totally
harmless unless they interfere with normal
functioning. They are not contagious. |
Nicotinic Stomatitis
Nicotinic
Stomatitis is a condition characterized by
inflammation of the soft palate due to the irritation of
excessive amounts of cigarette smoke. It appears as
red, raised bumps on the soft palate. In and of itself,
this is not a dangerous condition, and it resolves when
the smoking habit stops. However, it is often
associated with the condition called
leukoplakia,
described above. Leukoplakia is considered a pre
cancerous lesion which can transform into
squamous cell carcinoma. Nicotinic stomatitis is caused
almost exclusively by pipe smoking and is not
contagious. It should be noted, however, that the
development of this condition is an indication that the
patient may be prone to the development of
smoking related cancers. Click on the image for much
more on nicotinic stomatitis. |
Amalgam Tattoo
An
Amalgam Tattoo is exactly what the name implies. Most
cavities in back teeth are filled with silver amalgam.
Silver Amalgam is NOT poisonous, or in any way harmful
to the human body, but when a small amount of it is
introduced into an open wound in the mouth, it remains
under the mucosa and causes a characteristic blue-gray
tattoo. This occurs most frequently when a tooth is
extracted and some of the amalgam that was part of the
filling in the original tooth
breaks
off and falls into the open socket. It also happens
frequently during the removal of old amalgam fillings if
the dentist accidentally nicks the gums introducing some
of the amalgam "flash" into the wound. This is a
totally harmless condition. However the characteristic
appearance of an amalgam tattoo can look a lot like a
very dangerous cancer called "melanoma".
Melanoma is
characterized by painless lesions that appear tan
to dark brown to black in appearance with
diffuse edges while amalgam tattoos appear blue-gray
and have more well defined edges. Melanoma is a very
rare cancer in the oral cavity, and if you see a lesion
like this in your mouth, it is MUCH more likely to be an
amalgam tattoo that you never noticed before than a
melanoma. Amalgam tattoos appear suddenly after a
dental procedure and remain the same size throughout
life. Melanoma tends to grow and change shape within a
matter of a week or two. |
| If you have come here
to look for images of lumps, bumps, sores or
discolorations that you noticed in the mirror this
morning, this is one of four pages with images you may
find useful. Read this page,
Then proceed to three other pages on which you
will find more images of both normal and abnormal oral
structures and lesions
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Click the button above to email
Doctor Spiller.
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If the email button does not work on your browser,
click here.
I do not have time to answer
LONG emails. Please make your questions
short and precise. Avoid rambling, multiple
questionnaires.
Remember that I cannot diagnose something I cannot see.
I probably won't be able to tell you what that sore in
your mouth is. See a dentist.
Please do not inquire about
fees. (See
this page
instead.).
I DO appreciate your help in
correcting typos and broken links.
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|
Copyright 2000
by Doctor Martin S. Spiller, DMD
Please click
here to see
the terms of fair use. |
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