[Discoloration of gingiva in the presence of fixed dental restorations].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the frequency of discoloration of gingiva in the presence of fixed dental restorations, regarding the type of alloy of which restorations were made, and to show histopathological changes of discolored gingiva.


METHODS
One hundred and eighty four patients of both sexes were examined. The average age of the examinees was 52. They were divided into four groups according to the alloys from which their restorations were made. Standardized history questionnaires and clinical examination procedures were developed for this study. In ten examinees, whose teeth were indicated for extraction and who had a discoloration of gingiva, the samples of tissue were taken from the discolored gingiva for histopathological examination.


RESULTS
Our results showed the presence of discolored gingiva in all four groups. It was most frequent in the examinees with fixed restorations made of Ni-Cr alloy (43,5%) and less frequent in those with fixed dental restorations made of gold alloy (26,5%). Histopathological examination showed the presence of tissue foreign body granulomas with giant cells in which the metal particles were found, partially as small and partially as large particles.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that grayish discoloration of gingiva was present in all four groups of examinees. The highest number of examinees with discolored gingiva was in the group with restorations made of Ni-Cr alloy. Grayish discoloration of gingiva was a consequence of incorporation of metal particles into gingival tissue.
Ristić
Ljubisa
L
Klinika za stomatologiju, Crnotravsk, Srbija i Crna Gora.
Miljković
Zivorad
Z
Ilić
Srbislav
S
Durić
Tatjana
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015745:Granuloma, Foreign-Body / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D003722:Dental Alloys