Smoker's melanosis is caused by stimulation
of melanin production by melanocytes due to
chemical substances in cigarette smoke. The
anterior facial gingiva is most commonly involved,
although any oral mucosal site can demonstrate
this. Often smoker's melanosis can be clinically
diagnosed by correlating a history of smoking with
the location and distribution of the pigmentation.
If the diagnosis is not evident, then biopsy
is indicated. No therapy other than smoking
cessation is necessary once the diagnosis has
been made