Pathology · single question
An oral photograph shows brown-black gingival pigmentation distributed along the attached gingiva in a Black patient. What is the most likely diagnosis?
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Correct answer: A. Physiological (racial) pigmentation
Physiological (racial) gingival pigmentation = normal melanin deposition in the gingival epithelium. Most common in patients with darker skin tones. Symmetric, brown-black, stable, benign. No treatment required. Source confirms: 'Physiological pigmentation.'
- A. CORRECT. Physiological racial pigmentation — normal melanin in gingiva. Symmetric, stable, benign. No treatment.
- B. Addison disease causes diffuse oral mucosal pigmentation WITH systemic symptoms (fatigue, hypotension, electrolyte changes).
- C. Amalgam tattoo = focal blue-gray discoloration at specific restoration site — not diffuse gingival pigmentation.
- D. Oral melanoma = irregular, unilateral, progressively enlarging — not symmetric stable gingival pigmentation.