You noticed a blue-grey or greyish-blue mark in your mouth — maybe near a filling or a crown. Your mind jumps to something worrying. But before you panic, there is a very common, completely harmless explanation: it is probably an amalgam tattoo.
An amalgam tattoo is a small, flat discoloured area in the mouth. It appears when tiny particles of amalgam — the silver-coloured filling material — become embedded in the soft tissue of your cheek, gums, or palate. This can happen during the placement of a filling, or even years later as the filling gradually wears and releases microscopic particles.
The result is a bluish-grey, grey, or blue-black mark. It is usually small — around a few millimetres — and completely flat. It does not hurt, it does not change shape, and it does not spread.
How Dentists Identify It
Dentists can usually identify an amalgam tattoo just by looking. The location near an existing filling or restoration is a strong clue. The mark itself tends to be stable — it does not grow or change in the way a lesion might.
In most cases, no further investigation is needed. If the dentist wants to be completely sure — especially if the mark is new or has changed — they may take a small x-ray of the area. Amalgam shows up clearly on x-rays, so if the shadow matches the visible mark, the diagnosis is confirmed.
The only reason to remove an amalgam tattoo would be if you find it cosmetically unacceptable. This involves a minor surgical procedure. Most patients choose to leave them alone once they understand what they are.
When to See a Dentist
If you notice any new mark in your mouth that is growing, changing, or looks unusual, it is always worth getting it checked. But if you have a bluish-grey spot near an old filling and it has been there for years without change, an amalgam tattoo is the most likely explanation.
We are happy to take a look and put your mind at ease.
Get in Touch
Call 01323 723757 or book at www.meadsdental.com
Meads Village Dental Practice