The word pigment means color or coloring agent. The normal color of the oral mucosa is varying from pale pink, to deep bluish purple to sometimes even blackish. Melanin producing cells—the Melanocytes have their origin in the neural crest. These cells have been postulated to migrate to the basal cell layer of the epithelial layers. They are amoeba like in shape with various tubular processes which transfer the pigment to the surrounding keratino­cytes. The number of melanocytes is equal in fair skinned and dark skinned people only the level of melanogenesis varies. The melanin production is controlled by Sunlight, Hormones and Genetic constitution/Racial factors. The pigmented lesions of the oral cavity can confuse the uninitiated clinician. The lesions may vary from the benign macule the OMM to the most dreaded malignant melanoma. A good dentist can take help of the medical colleagues in complete assessment of these patients so that a rare diagnosis may not be missed.