Severe radiographic artifact created by a large fenestration of the skin and labial mucosa following placement of a plate piercing: a case report.

The presence of facial jewelry and medical devices within a radiographic field of view may promote the formation of artifacts that challenge diagnostic interpretation. The objective of this article is to describe a previously unreported radiographic anomaly produced by an oral piercing site below the lower lip. This unusual artifact masqueraded as a severe resorptive defect, dental caries, or cervical abfraction and occurred following removal of an extremely large labret below the lower lip and subsequent acquisition of a radiographic image. The radiolucency was ultimately attributed to an extensive aperture below the lower lip created by a series of sequentially larger soft tissue expanders. Clinicians should seek correlation of atypical radiographic presentations with soft tissue defects secondary to injury or intentional oral piercing.