Wearing so-called jewelry in uncommon sites, termed as body piercing, is gaining increased popularity. There also seems to be a significant increase in oral piercing mainly in the lip and/or tongue. We report a case of multiple oral piercing sites and localized gingival recession as an adverse consequence. Furthermore, based on the medical characteristics of the case, we also emphasize the necessity and importance of professional dental/medical consultation before oral piercing.

In order to analyze the possible relationship between the quantity of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and clinical periodontal status, the severity of gingival inflammation (gingival index (GI) scores) and probing depth (PD) were recorded and GCF samples were obtained from 1111 sites. These sites were further analyzed on the basis of distinct tooth groups to evaluate the significance of particular anatomical sampling locations. Statistical analysis of cumulative data showed significant increases in GCF volume with greater GI scores and PD. Correlations between GCF volume and both of the clinical measures were also strongly positive and significant for all sites. However, significant differences in GCF volume were observed between the anterior and posterior sampling sites. Increases in volume with increasing GI and PD were more marked for incisor and canine teeth. Similarly, the relationship between the quantity of GCF and clinical periodontal status was more clear and absolute in the anterior region than in the premolar and molar areas. These findings suggest that the quantity of GCF is not constant throughout the entire dentition, and that the relationship between GCF measurements and clinical periodontal status is site-based. This unique feature of GCF seems to be an essential factor in the design of GCF-related studies. (J. Oral Sci. 42, 231-238, 2000)

To evaluate the possible effect of sampling technique and sequential sampling on gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) volume and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, 14 patients presenting at least two symmetrical maxillary sites with mild/moderate periodontitis were selected. Two sites in each individual were sequentially sampled using either the deepintracrevicular or orifice technique. Spectrophotometrically determined MPO levels were presented either as total MPO activity or MPO concentration. Although the clinical periodontal status of the 20 sampling sites were similar, the deep-intracrevicular technique regularly provided larger GCF volumes. With both techniques, the last samples contained the highest GCF volume. During sequential orifice sampling, GCF volume was relatively more stable. In general, a depletion of MPO activity was observed with sequential sampling performed with either of the techniques. Depletion of MPO did not replenish to baseline levels at the end of the 10-min sequential sampling. Although MPO activity showed a general reduction during sequential orifice sampling with both modes of data presentation, total MPO activity and MPO concentration did not match with the deepintracrevicular technique. Due to the potential of affecting GCF volume/composition, the selection of sampling technique seems to be a critical methodological decision in GCF-profile studies, primarily during sequential sampling. In GCF-profile studies, mode of data presentation should also be considered.