Location: This is a piercing that starts at the base of the tongue and passes through several layers of tissue, emerging underneath the chin.

Alternate Names: Sprung Piercing, Deep Tissue Oral Piercing, Jawbone Piercing, Chin Piercing.

Piercing: Although it doesn’t penetrate the body cavity, the mandible piercing does pass through a sensitive area that includes muscular tissue and runs in close proximity to a variety of veins, important nerves, and some delicate cartilage.  Thus this piercing unequivocally requires the attention of a master piercer with extensive knowledge of both the potential risk factors and the surrounding anatomy.  Many piercers will refuse to attempt the mandible piercing altogether.

Aftercare: Although they often have an extended healing time due to their location and the amount of tissue that has been passed through, it’s entirely possible to properly heal this type of piercing.  Runoff or “oozing” of the salivary juices is a common issue during the healing process, and like other oral piercings, special mouthwash is often used for aftercare.

Jewelry: Mandible piercings are performed almost exclusively with long, flexible barbells composed of biocompatible materials like bioflex, bioplast, PTFE, or tygon.  The visible ball that rests below the chin can be changed out accordingly to accommodate fashion preferences.

Prevalence: Due to the nature of this “extreme” oral piercing, you won’t see very many of them hanging around.  In terms of general prevalence worldwide, the number of persons who have successfully healed a mandible piercing and worn it for over two years is likely to number in the dozens, rather than the hundreds.  Far more prevalent are the a number of chin dermals that fake the same general look.

Location:  Cyber bites are a set of two piercings: the medusa, and the labret.  When referred to as cyber bites, these piercings are situated dead center above the upper lip and below the bottom lip.

Alternate Names:  Cyber piercing, center bites, double lip piercing, cyber bites.

Piercing:  The piercing itself is pretty straight forward, and depending on preference and the inclinations of the piercer, these piercings may be done together at the same time, or in two separate sittings to allow for healing in between.  For the most part, both medusa piercings and labrets will generally be performed with either a fourteen or sixteen gauge hollow piercing needle and a pair of clamps, though again some piercers may prefer to use a needle receiving tube and/or cork instead.

Jewelry:  Standard cyber bite piercings which include a regular labret and medusa will normally be seen with stud type body jewelry in a variety of styles.  For those who choose an alternative matching, like a medusa and a vertical labret, one or more of the piercings will likely then be worn with a small curved barbell instead.

Prevalence:  The cyber bite is definitely a unisex piercing, though in several studies young women have been proven more likely to have lip piercings in general than their male counterparts.  All lip piercings, including most doubles, triples, and quads, have risen in popularity exponentially in the past ten years amongst the emo, scene, and punk youth subcultures.

Location: In the natural dimple, or the area of the cheek just outside the smile crease, horizontally aligned with the outer corners of the mouth.

Alternate Names: Dimple piercing, cheek piercing, cheek bites

Piercing: As with most oral piercings, both the inside and outside of the area to be pierced will be cleansed, and then a mark will be made to determine placement.  Although dimple piercings are primarily performed in pairs, the piercing of a single “dimple” is not uncommon.  In order to lessen healing pain and guard against oral hygiene issues, this type of piercing is generally performed within approximately an inch of the lip corner, or no further back than the first molars.

Aftercare: Due to the constant movement and thickness of the tissue being pierced, dimple piercings may take slightly longer than average to heal, with initial healing closer to the twelve week mark, and total healing occurring after six months and sometimes up to a full year.  To ensure proper healing and lessen the risk of migration, a combination of standard and oral aftercare is recommended, often including sea salt soaks or sprays, regular cleanings, and use of special mouthwash after meals.  Refraining from smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, and touching jewelry with the hands is often suggested as well.

Jewelry: Labret/Monroe style studs are most commonly worn for both initial piercing and continued wear, as the flat backing rubs against the teeth and gums less than a standard ball, diminishing the risk of oral health issues.  Since the “dimple” area experiences large volume swelling during the initial healing phases, an extra long post of between 3/4″ to 1″ is generally worn initially, then changed out afterwards for a shorter length.

Prevalence: Dimple piercing is one of the least common piercings performed around the mouth and cheek area, and is worn primarily by females. In fact in general, women in the United States are approximately three times as likely as men to get a facial piercing.  Some who decide on a dimple piercing are never intending to keep the piercing permanently, and want only to use piercing of the cheek to create an artificial dimple where one is lacking.  This may be possible through either scarring, or minor nerve damage causing the cheek to indent.