LEPROUS PINK SPOTS OF THE TOOTH

Abstract

Leprous pind spots of the tooth is a condition found in the incisors of the upper jaw of lepromatous leprosy patients and is due to coloration of the tooth by the action of the leprosy bacilli. This condition is never observed in neural leprosy. There are usually no defects in the teeth and no response to heart, cold or tapping and usually no subjective symptoms.
Histologically, there is hyperemia and inflammation and increase in lepra cells together with proliferation of leprosy bacilli in the dental pulp initially but no hemorrhage or congestion. This is followed by degeneration of the pulp and disappearance of the lepra cells and bacilli. There is an increase in lipoid material and the pulp undergoes hyaline and lipoid degeneration. At this stage the tooth becomes discolored a red tone macroscopically. The red color is due to combination of the lipoid with lipofuscin which is produced by destruction of the leprosy bacilli and this condition is unique to leprosy.