Heavy Metal Pigmentation
Etiology- occurs with exposure to various types of heavy metals such as arsenis, bismuth, platinum, lead, silver, copper, and mercury
Method of transmission- not applicable
Characteristics- Argyria is slate gray or bluish discoloration; lead is commonly found in the premolar and molar gingiva is blue, gray, or black; Bismuth was used to treat syphilis and produces a thin blue/black line
Implications-through excessive ingestion, inhalation, or prolonged cutaneous surface
treatment- blood tests are always needed to determine the extent of the heavy metal accumulation in the body.
Prognosis-fair