Oral and facial piercings:: a case series and review of the literature

Piercing is popular among young people, who view this practice as a sign of marginality, beauty, or group identity. This study is performed on healthy individuals with oral and facial piercings. Seventy oral and facial piercings were evaluated (17 in the tongue, 13 in the lower lip, 18 in the nostril, 7 in the eyebrow, and 15 in the ear). A specifically designed protocol was used to assess possible complications (inflammatory reactions, pain, dental alterations). Nonparametric tests were used for the statistical analysis of the results. The general complications recorded comprised pain (60% of cases), inflammatory reactions (34.3%), bleeding (24%), dental fractures or fissures (20%), and gingival damage (26.7%). Tongue piercing is associated with pain, inflammatory reactions, and dental problems.