Answering Frequent Questions Concerning Oral Piercings And Porcelain Crowns

Even though earlobes are still one of the most common types of piercings, in the modern age other piercings are almost just as popular. In fact, at least ten percent of Americans have something pierced other than their earlobe, and a good portion of these people have either a lip or tongue piercing.

It is great that there are so many creative ways to express your personality and modify your body in ways that make you feel more unique, but oral piercings can bring about special concerns when you visit a cosmetic dentist for treatment. If you are planning to get porcelain crowns, there are likely questions that you have concerning oral piercings and your visit.

Should you remove your oral piercings before the visit?

In most cases, the piercings will have to be removed before any treatment is performed, especially porcelain crowns that will involve several x-rays. The metal alloys that a lot of piercings are made of will interfere with getting an accurate look at your mouth structure during the x-rays. If you are afraid that your piercing will close because it is fairly new, you may be able to wear a clear piercing retainer during the visit, which is made with plastic or acrylic. However, if the piercing will be in the way during treatment, it may have to be completely removed. This will depend on the location of the crowns you are obtaining and the type of piercing you have.

Is it true that some dentists will not treat you if you have an oral piercing?

Most cosmetic dentists will still treat you. However, you should expect stern warnings about oral hygiene if you have an oral piercing. The mouth is particularly prone to infection because of the fact that food particles can become trapped and start to decay. If you have piercings, there is an additional concern of trapped food and germs.

Are there special precautions with your crown that should be taken if you have an oral piercing?

If you have an oral piercing, you do have to take extra precaution with porcelain crowns. Repeated tapping against your new crown could cause breakage or a crack. In addition, piercings can damage the soft tissue surrounding the crown, which may cause gum erosion and leave you more prone to seeing the crown come loose from the gum line.

The bottom line is, your oral piercings can be a big factor in not only obtaining porcelain crowns, but how well the procedure goes once it is complete. Talk openly with your cosmetic dentist like one from Alaska Dental Arts about any questions you have.

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