Tongue piercing: case report and ethical overview.

A case of infection following piercing of the tongue is presented. A dentist allegedly provided local anesthesia to the tongue prior to piercing. To avoid criticism from the first dentist, the patient saw a different dentist to treat the infection. The patient had symptoms of pain, inflammation, purulence, salivary incontinence, and difficulty speaking and swallowing. The ornament was discarded and the infection was resolved with antibiotic therapy. Ethical issues of administering anesthesia prior to piercing also are discussed.