Treatment of the amalgam tattoo in the esthetic zone.

OBJECTIVE

When pigmentations appeared in the esthetic zone and were visible during the patient's smile, they were very disconcerting. There are multiple techniques to eradicate or ameliorate these discolorations. This article will address those pigmentations caused by amalgam particles.

CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Keratinized gingival grafts were used to cover and mask these pigmentations. In addition, connective tissue grafts were used to aid in the elimination of the external pigmentation.

CONCLUSIONS

Both techniques were shown to be very effective in masking or eliminating these unesthetic pigmentations. Long-term follow-up has shown these results to be stable with no recurrence of the pigmentation.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Unesthetic pigmentations in the esthetic zone that are visible during a patient's smile are very disconcerting. Elimination of these unesthetic discolorations can make a dramatic improvement in the patient's smile.