Tooth Piercing Cost, how-to Procedure, Jewelry & Complications

Is it possible to pierce your teeth? Why do individuals do it? What is the procedure? How is jewelry such as diamond and gems used in the process. What is cost and associated complications ? Read on to find out.

What is Tooth Piercing and why do People do it?

Body piercings are now taking a turn away from the medieval, Chinese and Egyptian traditional practices about 5000 years back. Piercings done at that time were made on soft tissues. However, the current generation, turning on fashion and self-realization especially in young people are also piercing the teeth. This cannot be regarded anywhere close to a soft tissue. This is also considered as one of the restorative procedures to look more handsome or beautiful and to add a sparkle in one’s smile.

With the introduction of cosmetic dental treatments such as bleaching, placement of jewelry and porcelain veneering are improving the self-esteem of most people (Department of Prosthodontics Bhabha College of Dental Sciences Bhopal)[i]. Apart from this reason, you may have other reasons such as:

1. Tooth discolorations – a permanent discoloration not necessarily caused by tooth decay, can be hidden by drilling the tooth. When a jewelry is place, it covers the discolored patch or spot.
2. Mild irregular teeth – sparkles to your smile may help shift attention away from the hitched area of your mouth. It may also be strategically placed to fill a gap in between teeth. However, this gap should not be large enough as the jewelry is highly limitedly small.
3. Career breakthroughs – the music career has seen some of the weirdest means to make a breakthrough and get recognized in an industry crazed by outstanding ideologies.
4. Need of a piercing method with minimal invasion – does not require drilling
5. It is temporary
6. It is not painful

Tooth piercing is increasingly growing popular in local regions since it is very simple, not much pre-exposition to infections and not much pain either. Though not recommended by most piercers and dental hygienists, this procedure is being done in some dental salons and parlors.

Can you get a Tooth Piercing? How much does it Cost

The cost of the procedure, according to Bodypiercingmag[ii], lies between $25 and $45 but not limited to this range. You should think that the lower limit is most important. This is because costs way lower than that may raise questions on the piercer’s eligibility and knowledge of the procedure. Remember, this procedure requires care too and chemicals which need to paid for.

It is most preferable that you get the jewelry from the studio and now this adds an extra cost to the service. The prices of different jewelry differ with the quality and the design. There may be diamonds, gold, sapphire and ruby. The designs vary with there being triangle, star, heart and drop shaped jewelry.

How to do a Tooth Piercing-An overview of the procedure

The procedure involved in perforating the tooth is relatively simple. Nerves in the teeth are normally located in the pulp cavity which is low close to the gum an area not likely to get pierced. Tooth piercing therefore has not much creativity other than the type of jewelry chosen. With such limited diversity, the risks of drilling a sensitive area is unlikely to occur.

Here is the procedure outlines for you:

1. Cleaning of the tooth with a fluoride-free polishing plate.
2. The tooth is then blown dry and isolate to avoid confusion
3. 37 mL orthophosphoric acid in 100 mL is used to etch. This is done for about 20-30 seconds so as to enable complete spread and bonding surface.
4. The surface is rinsed off the acid and again dried by blowing for about 10 seconds. The piercer should ensure that no etchant remains on the tooth.
5. A light-curing bonding agent is then applied and left for 20 seconds.
6. A flow composite is then applied in small amounts on the tooth surface.
7. Afterwards, piercing can be done. The piercer picks the jewel handler resembling a pliers and presses in onto the center of the composite.
8. To ensure that the jewelry is well placed, the composite should be seen oozing on the sides. It encircles the jewelry and ensures macro mechanical retention.
9. The jewelry should have touched the enamel.
10. The composite has to be cured after placement and this is done by the light-curing lamp for 60 seconds. This is done in an organized manner from the back to the front and then the sides to ensure the composite hardens evenly. This may take about 180 seconds. Bonding systems have various curing methods and this should be well adhered with.

Tooth piercing jewelry-Diamond, Gems etc.

Available jewelry that are used in the process of teeth piercing

Tooth piercing diamond

Diamond is one jewelry you could purchase that adds a twinkle and sparkle when you flaunt your smile. It is also available in different shapes. Fortunately, diamond is not an allergen and is hard hence resists abrasion. It is therefore a long-lasting jewelry. It will still need to be rebounded after 3-4 years onto the bonding material (Twinkles)[iii].

Tooth gem piercing

Gems are also accessible in a wide range of prices. They are available in different colors that you could pick from such as blue, red, green and purple. Choose the best color that suits you and le it rock your smile

Any other jewelry

Other types of jewelry available include:

1. Sapphire
2. Ruby
3. Crystals

The price range of the jewelry lies between 25 to 45 dollars. Consider choosing the right one so that you do not risk being infected.

Complications

1. Lip Damage – tooth piercing may rub against the lip and cause lip abrasion and even wounds. Bleeding and any open wound in the mouth predisposes you to an infection.
2. Wisdom tooth piercing gum issues – wisdom tooth is a molar and its accessibility is limited. You are probably wondering why someone would piece the wisdom tooth. It does happen. We got some weirdoes on this earth. Whether it is meant to add a sparkle in an outburst or other reasons, this tooth is in a congested area, inaccessible and short, deeply rooted within the gum. This makes it hard to perform the procedure to proper effect. Since the molar teeth are mean for crushing and chewing, it may dislodge the jewelry and this might choke you. It is highly likely that your tooth will not be properly dried making the jewelry less firm.
3. Chipped tooth and fracture – a tooth fracture may increase in size or even cause total breakage of the tooth during pressing of the jewelry into the binding material.
4. Toothache & Pain (Hurting) – don’t choose a sensitive tooth for this procedure. A probable question that the piercer will ask you is whether you have any teeth sensitivity. The procedure may be painful to you and may be so too after the procedure has been completed.
5. Tooth piercing procedure – the procedure may predispose you to infections. Choosing a low quality jewelry will also cause the infection to decay. If the jewelry was not well pressed into the binding material and dried, it could come out, enter the gut and injure the walls depending on the sharpness.
6. Some individuals get a bad smell in their mouth.

Tips to avoid any possible complications/damage

The time the jewel takes to set into the composite is approximately 20 seconds. Just as in other piercings, tooth piercing also has after-care methods that you will need to take into consideration. This include:

1. Do not touch the jewel when it is being removed from the case. Make sure that the jewelry is being handled using a jewel handler. This will prevent any kind of infection of the oral cavity.
2. Remineralization is necessary on the etched area. This helps maintain the integrity of the enamel.
3. Don’t play with the jewelry using your tongue as this may make it come out and infect the gut.
4. Maintain proper oral hygiene while brushing the site carefully not to dislodge it.
5. Avoid eating spicy foods or foods that are hard to chew after you have had the pierce.
6. Avoid consumption of alcohol and smoking habits.

Sources and References

[i] http://www.nacd.in/ijda/2-4/83-tooth-jewellery-a-simple-way-to-add-sparkle-to-your-smile

[ii] http://bodypiercingmag.com/tooth-piercing.html

[iii] http://www.twinkles.net/