Complications following oral piercing. A study among 201 young adults in Strasbourg, France.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to identify and quantify the number and type of complications relating to the oral environment following piercing of tissue in the oral sphere.


METHODS
The epidemiological survey included patients attending the University of Strasbourg Dental Hospital, students frequenting the University of Strasbourg canteen, and members of the public attending piercing conferences in Strasbourg, France between the months of February and June 2005. No dental examination was performed as part of this survey. RESULTS; 201 people were interviewed in this study. The average subject age was 22.7 years and 73.6% were smokers. Women comprised 72.6% of the sample population. Post-piercing complications occurred in 23.4%, but frequency depended on piercing location in relation to the oral sphere. Gingival recession occurred in 8.5%, and chipped teeth in 6.9% of the group who were aware of complications. Titanium, stainless steel and Teflon were associated with recession in 52.9%, 23.5% and 9%, and chipped teeth in 35.7%, 42.9% and 14.3% of this group respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The occurrence of complications was high. There is a need for public education and a further study with a dental examination.
Hickey
B M
BM
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Glasgow Dental Hospital, Scotland. hickey.barry@yahoo.co.uk
Schoch
E A
EA
Bigeard
L
L
Musset
A M
AM
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D046288:Body Piercing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002610:Cheek / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications; D005602:France; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000293:injuries; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014059:Tongue / Q000293:injuries; D018677:Tooth Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult