Chromogenic Black Dental Staining in Children: A Case Report

Chromogenic black dental staining is an extrinsic dental discoloration seen in daily dental practice, especially in children. These stains are commonly seen as black dots or lines along the cervical third of the teeth. They can affect both primary and permanent dentitions. The evidence is contradictory regarding its etiology, with links to different microbial, dietary, and iatrogenic factors. It was suggested that the back discoloration contains traces of insoluble ferric salt due to the interaction between hydrogen sulfide-producing chromogenic bacteria and iron in the saliva or gingival secretions. The current article aims to overview black dental staining in children and present a case report on a pediatric patient.