Key Points
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Body piercing including oral sites is increasing in popularity in the Western world.
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Piercing of oral sites may lead to a number of complications some of which are life-threatening.
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Dentists should be aware of the increasing number of patients with pierced intra-oral and peri-oral sites and should be prepared to offer advice and guidance to patients.
Abstract
Several complications of oral piercing have been reported, some of which are life threatening. A case report on tongue piercing is presented where the ventral surface of the tongue healed over the barbell requiring surgical exposure.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Mr Colin Hopper for his help in preparing this manuscript.
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Theodossy, T. A complication of tongue piercing. A case report and review of the literature. Br Dent J 194, 551–552 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4810199
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4810199
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