Dental and buccal complications of lip and tongue piercing

Oral and facial piercing with different kinds of body art are being observed more frequently in medical and dental practices. Principally, piercing is not a new form of body art and is traditional in different geographical areas. In this review, the possible risks and complications are described. Postprocedural complications are oedema, haemorrhage and infection. Other adverse outcomes include mucosal or gingival trauma, chipped or fractured teeth, increased salivary flow, calculus build-up, and interference with speech, mastication and swallowing. Dentists, and oral- and maxillofacial surgeons should be in the position to advise patients with orofocial piercings or those who plan to have this type of body art performed.