Frenulum of Tongue - Piercing and Complications

Piercing and Complications

Most oral jewelry comes in the form of studs, hoops or barbell- shaped devices that can be purchased commercially. Surgical-grade stainless steel, Titanium, 14-karat yellow or white gold, or niobium oral jewelry is recommended. Regardless of the jewelry the recipient chooses, it should be removable.

In tongue piercing, a clamp, or hemostat, is used to stabilize the tongue while piercing is done with a needle of the same or similar gauge as the device being inserted into the oral tissues. Postplacement healing usually occurs in about 4 to 6 weeks, barring complications. Common symptoms after piercing include pain, swelling, infection, increased salivary flow and gingival injury.

Health care practitioners have recognized various adverse incidents associated with the piercing of oral structures. In a survey of 438 pediatric dentists, nearly one-fourth acknowledged treating patients for oral piercing-related complications. The most prevalent injury seen with oral jewelry is damage to the teeth, including chipping of the enamel, cuspal fractures and deep-seated cracks extending to the pulp.