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Plessas A, Pepelassi E. Aust Dent J 2012; 57: 71–78

It was conceded that this cross-sectional study (n = 110 subjects), had no control group. Notwithstanding these limitations, the authors claim that one third of teeth showed damage and one third of gingival sites showed recession adjacent to the barbells/rings. Nevertheless, some other studies have not found associations between oral piercings and tooth damage. In this study, it was reported that the longer the ornaments were worn, the more severe was the harm. Over 10% of the subjects carried out the piercings on themselves and in about 5%, the desire for the ornaments was to give sexual gratification. Following piercing, there was a high prevalence of post-operative pain. However, there were no severe complications such as airway obstruction caused by a bleed or late complications such as Ludwig's angina.