Introduction: The practice of dermoscopy in dental and oral examination is low due to less popularity and not well
established of the diagnostic tool in dental practice. The dermoscopy examination provides a specific dermoscopes details for pigmented papillary fungiform of tongue (PPFT) as cobblestone appearance and rose-petal
appearance. With this dermoscopes details serves as a non-invasive diagnostic tool and prevents biopsy
procedure.
Objective: We performed a systematic review to evaluate the published papers related to pigmented papillary
fungiform on the tongue, aiming to understand the diagnostic role of dermoscopy examination in pigmented
papillary fungiform.
Data synthesis: Initial result was 136 studies. Final exclusion of 27 articles was made based on the following
factors: reports with no clinical images, studies that did not confirm the diagnosis of PPFT and studies that did
not use the dermoscopes details. Finally, seventeen studies with nineteen cases, reported of pigmented papillary
fungiform of the tongue. Six studies (consist six cases) reported the dermoscopy and histopathology diagnosis of
pigmented papillary fungiform, eleven studies (consist thirteen cases) reported only the dermoscopy. The dermoscopy examination presented cobblestone appearance is 47.37% and rose petal appearance is 52.63%. The
comparation study by histopathology diagnosis was done, revealed no specific appearances.
Conclusions: The clinical appearance and dermoscopy is the key for diagnosis of the papillary fungiform on the
tongue. Further research is needed for determining the etiology and predisposing factor in papillary fungiform so
that the possibility of developing this condition can be predicted and proper treatment could be performed