I have fluorosis stains on my teeth and I am getting married in April of next year. My family dentist is also a cosmetic dentist and she does beautiful work. Some of my co-workers got porcelain veneers from her and so have some of her own staff members. Their teeth look great. I want porcelain veneers for my wedding. There is plenty of time for me to get them but the problem is my dentist won’t agree to do them because I have a tongue piercing. She is concerned that the piercing will damage my veneers. I am not comfortable with another dentist doing the work for me. Is her concern valid? Thanks. Claire
Claire,
The tongue isn’t designed for piercing. Metal jewelry in the mouth can easily damage the tongue itself, natural teeth, porcelain veneers, and other types of cosmetic dentistry treatment. It is common for people with tongue piercings to have chipped or cracked teeth if the piercing comes in contact with them. The American Dental Association warns that tongue piercing can damage teeth, restorations, and fixed porcelain prostheses. Your family dentist’s concern is valid.
Your family dentist might see signs of stress or damage to your teeth already. Some dentists place porcelain veneers or other types of restorations anyway, but the risks are clear.
In addition to chipping or cracking your teeth, tongue piercing can cause your teeth to shift. Some people have a subconscious habit of sucking on the piercing throughout the day, which changes the alignment of the teeth and creates spaces between them. This habit will impact porcelain veneers and can cause exposure of the natural tooth at the gumline. The exposure will increase the chances of bacteria growth and decay between the veneers and your natural teeth.
Tongue piercings make it more difficult to maintain good oral hygiene. Gum tissue is affected most often, and that can affect how long your porcelain veneers last, as well as how they look over time.
Ultimately, whether or not you receive porcelain veneers is your decision. Although your dentist is not agreeable to providing them, you can get a second opinion from another family dentist who is skilled at cosmetic dentistry. Keep in mind the risks in terms of your oral health and damage to your veneers.
This post is sponsored by Dr. Ralph Stanley, Dr. Magdalena Azzarelli, and Dr. Rogé Jacob of Hillsdale Dental Care.
