Bilirubin pigmentation of human teeth caused by hyperbilirubinemia

This study was conducted to identify bilirubin in deciduous teeth obtained from two patients with a history of severe liver dysfunction. Teeth were hi stologically analyzed and bilirubin was extracted and quantified spectropho tometrically. Histological analysis revealed a green line in the dentine ru nning parallel to the incremental lines. A chloroform/methanol/acetic acid (30:10:0.5, v/v) extract of the teeth was evaporated and the residue dissol ved in chloroform. Absorption spectra were prepared before and after the di azo reaction. The absorption maximum shifted from 450 nm before to 540 nm a fter the diazo reaction and was higher than that of normal deciduous teeth. These results indicate that the discolouration of teeth in patients with s evere liver dysfunction is due to bilirubin deposition.