The tattoos are flat and usually quite small — only a few millimeters. But they're relatively easy to see. Sometimes, they can be seen on dental X-rays.
A tattoo can be created while your dentist is placing or removing fillings or crowns that contain metal. It can also occur during many other dental procedures, such as tooth extractions or root canal treatment. A tattoo also can appear over time. For example, a filling on the outer side of a tooth may touch your inner cheek. Particles from the filling may rub off over time.
Amalgam tattoos are quite common, although many people don't even know they have them.
These tattoos are not dangerous and will not cause you harm. However, a small percentage of gray/blue areas are not amalgam tattoos. These other areas can be precancerous, non-cancerous or even a normal blood vessel. They need to be seen by a specialist, such as an oral surgeon or a dentist with special training in pathology or oral medicine.
If a gray/blue area in your mouth grows larger or changes color, see your general dentist right away. Your dentist may be able to make a diagnosis or refer you to an appropriate specialist.
Some blue or gray spots may show signs of being an early cancer rather than an amalgam tattoo. In these cases, your dentist may refer you for a biopsy. In a biopsy, a small piece of tissue is removed and examined in a laboratory. Biopsies are common if the area has grown larger or changed color over time — for example, from gray to black.
If the area gets larger or changes color, a biopsy should be done. If the biopsy shows precancerous or cancerous cells, another biopsy will be necessary to remove the entire area.
If the area turns out to be an amalgam tattoo, further treatment is not necessary. However, you may want to have it removed if it is on the edge of your lip or somewhere else that makes you feel self-conscious. Talk to your dentist about having the tattoo surgically removed for cosmetic reasons.
If the area is sore or seems to be growing or changing color over time, call your dentist right away to have it checked out. Your dentist may refer you to a specialist for a biopsy. The specialist may be an oral surgeon or a dentist with special training in pathology or oral medicine.
