Read my lips, says Dr. Linda Niessen.  Reshaping your front teeth can change the appearance of your lips.  In today's Dental Health Check, Dr. Niessen explains how new cosmetic dentistry techniques can erase the wrinkles of the upper lip.

STORY: LIP SERVICE

SCRIPT #493 SHOOT: 12/10/02

AIRDATE: Monday, Jan. 13, 2002

Daybreak and Midday

DHC Master #17 Timecode: 16:35 Some dentists are giving new meaning

to the phrase “lip service.”

New dental techniques can improve the

look of both lips and teeth.

Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College

of Dentistry explains how in today’s

SOVT: 1:21 segment of Dental Health Check.

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SUE STRICKLAND BEFORE/AFTER (VOICE-OVER)

You be the judge. Does this person

look older in the photo on the left?

That was Sue Strickland before

cosmetic dentistry. Notice the difference in her lips.

SUPER: Sue Strickland (“The teeth are whiter and they are

Dental Patient :13-18 fuller. They take up more of my mouth.

And that I really like.”)

ON CAMERA (STAND-UP BRIDGE)

SUPER: Dr. Linda Niessen :21-26 Here’s the deal. Your teeth support

Baylor College of Dentistry lips. Without enough support, the lips can droop or wrinkle. So by changing the shape of your teeth, you can change the shape of your lips.

CLOSE-UPS (VOICE-OVER)

Fuller, upper teeth mean

a fuller upper lip.

DR. SUSAN HOLLAR Sue’s dentist is Dr. Susan Hollar, who

says her female patients especially

notice the cosmetic improvement.

SUPER: Dr. Susan Hollar (“We can make it a little fuller by

Dentist :44-49 very artistically creating fuller contours

in that area that give the upper lip nice

support.”)

Cosmetic procedures To give the lips more support, Dr. Hollar makes a porcelain crown thicker in the middle part of the tooth. This technique

can also be used for veneers or composite bonding.

SUE STRICKLAND (“You look years younger. That was a

nice one.”)

SUE WALKING Sue is a university professor who wants

the wisdom of growing older, but not

the wrinkles.

ON CAMERA (STAND-UP CLOSE)

So read my lips. They play a key role

in cosmetic dental changes. Teeth can

reshape not just your smile but also

your lips. For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A & M System, I’m

Dr. Linda Niessen.