The labret is a facial piercing through the lower lip, and the term generally refers to a stud with a flat backplate, although lip rings on the midline on the lower lip are sometimes also called labrets. They are generally located along the face's midline, but sometimes are instead done in pairs, side by side. A more hardcore variation pairs it with the medusa piercing. Labret piercing is becoming fairly common, perhaps less so than eyebrow or tongue piercings but certainly less startling than some other types.
As with any oral piercing, it carries certain risks. The primary issue with labret piercings is possible damage to the lower incisors or their gums due to contact with the backplate. Over time, the gums can be worn away, as can the teeth themselves, sometimes requiring surgery. This is most common with improperly placed piercings or if the piercing isn't perfectly straight, allowing the backplate to rest at an angle and hit the gumline. Often, a custom-shaped bar known as a 'fishtail' is used or the steel post, after healing, is replaced with a Teflon post.
A week before the time of this writing, I got a labret piercing. This is my first piercing, aside from the earlobes which don't really count. The procedure is pretty simple - mouthwash, of course, then he drew the dot to place it, grabbed my lip with a clamp, and shoved the needle through the inside to the outside. It bled for a few seconds, and he stuck the jewelry through, and it was done. It didn't hurt as much as I expected - in fact, it wasn't too bad at all.
That's the question everyone asks: "Did it hurt?" No, I want to tell them. Having a wide needle shoved through your lip feels good. It felt exactly the same as an orgasm. Of course it hurt. But not really all that bad. And the recovery process has been no big deal either. I have to clean it twice a day, washing it with soap. I haven't bothered to get the microbicidal stuff they recommended, but I probably will eventually.
Aside from wiping off the crud that forms with a Q-tip and washing the outside, brushing your teeth every time you eat and flossing daily is highly recommended. It's quite easy to maintain. So far, I've had no problems with it, and no swelling at all. The entire healing process has been simple and trouble-free.
At first eating was kinda weird, but I was eating normally the next day. It no longer really gets in my way when I try to eat, and although it rubs on my gum slightly, it's not really a problem. I figure that when I get a shorter post (as with tongue piercing, they initially use a long one to allow for swelling) it won't be a problem at all.
All in all, I'm thrilled with it. I'm very much anticipating getting some more piercings, probably my eyebrows next, and after that, I'm not really certain what.