Common Questions Concerning Tongue Piercings And Dental Implants

Posted on: 20 January 2015

That jewel you had placed in your tongue may be an awesome way to reflect your sense of style and personality, but if you are planning to get dental implants, there are some things that you should know. In general, oral piercings are safe if the wearer properly cares for them. However, combining additional hardware in your mouth with dental implants or porcelain crowns can lead to some concerns. Here are a few of the top questions you may have for your cosmetic dentist during the initial consultation.

When will your tongue ring have to be removed?

Because the tongue ring is typically made of metal, such as titanium or silver, it will have to be removed during the preparation stages of your dental implant procedure. The metal can block a dentist's view of your jaw line. A full series of x-rays will have to be done in order to plan for the implants and make sure there is sufficient amount of bone available for placement. X-rays may be done several months before implant surgery, and they may have to be repeated more than once.

What should be done to protect the new teeth after implant surgery if you wear a tongue ring?

The crowns that are placed on the implanted abutment are created with porcelain and ceramic materials that can be chipped or fractured. Therefore, the tapping of a metal ball from inside the mouth can cause damage. If you must wear your tongue ring, great care will have to be take in order to keep from hitting your new teeth with your tongue. You should consider changing your tongue ring to an acrylic or polymer style that is made of softer plastic.

Are there any other concerns you should know about?

One of the biggest concerns with any oral piercing is the fact that it can cause damage to the soft tissue of the mouth. This can lead to recession in the gums around your newly implanted teeth, which is not just unattractive but also a threat to your mouth's health. Anytime you have a tongue ring on, avoid playing with it in your mouth, as this is the biggest reason people see issues with their gums, according to SafePiercing.org.

Dental implant procedures are considered to be a serious surgery and is not something you will want to hinder with an oral piercing. If you have your tongue pierced, it is best to talk to the cosmetic surgeon extensively about what you should do to protect your teeth.

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