Smile makeover mania has hit many dental offices!  But healthy functional teeth are more important than pretty smiles.  Some dental patients turn to cosmetics  hoping to solve serious dental problems that require orthodontics or surgery, or both. Dr. Niessen sets the record straight on who  should and shouldn't have a smile makeover using only cosmetics.

STORY: MAKEOVER MANIA

SCRIPT # 512 SHOOT: 6/12/03

AIRDATE: Monday, June 30, 2003

DHC Master #18 Timecode: 1:30 Are healthy, functional teeth more important

than an attractive smile?

Most dentists say yes. But cosmetic dentistry has become so popular, many

patients turn to cosmetics hoping to solve

all dental problems.

Dr. Linda Niessen sets the record straight on smile makeovers in today’s segment of

Dental Health Check.

SOVT: 1:44

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KAREN LOOKING AT MAGAZINE (VOICE-OVER)

SUPER: Richardson :02-07 For years, Karen Tonnesen has admired

picture perfect teeth in magazine

photos. She hoped cosmetic dentistry

would improve her own smile.

SUPER: Karen Tonnesen (“I don’t like my smile, never been happy

Not Makeover Patient :13-18 with it. You know, from the tetracycline,

my teeth always just looked dark to me. But

I also feel my teeth stick out.”)

EXAM WITH KAREN Karen found out her problems were

more serious. She needed orthodontic

braces to correct an overbite.

Karen was not a good candidate for

a smile makeover using cosmetic dentistry only.

SUPER: Dr. Lee Fitzgerald (“About 70 percent of the people we see

Dentist :40-45 can have most of their problems corrected

without the need of orthodontics or oral

surgery.”)

You might be a candidate for a smile

Smile Makeover makeover if you have:

Gaps between teeth gaps between your teeth

Chipped or broken teeth chipped or broken teeth

Discolored teeth discolored teeth

Existing dental work or existing dental work you want

to improve.

Page 2

KAREN’S OVERBITE You may NOT be a candidate if you

Not a Smile Makeover Candidate have teeth alignment or jaw

teeth alignment problems problems.

jaw problems

CLAUS IN CHAIR Claus Eimer was a perfect

candidate for a smile makeover.

But he didn’t want perfect teeth.

SUPER: Claus Eimer 1:07-1:12 (“My challenge I gave to Dr. Fitzgerald

Makeover Patient was don’t make it perfect, just make it natural.”)

CLAUS BEFORE AND AFTER Claus had a dramatic change in

his smile.

SANDRA BEFORE AND AFTER So did Sandra Paradise.

SUPER: Sandra Paradise (“It’s a confidence thing, meeting new

Makeover Patient 1:19-1:24 people or in a setting have a photograph

taken, and now I’ve got a great big smile

along with everyone else.”)

ON CAMERA (STAND-UP CLOSE)

Even cosmetic dentistry has its limits.

If you need braces or jaw surgery,

SUPER: Dr. Linda Niessen no amount of cosmetic work can fix

Baylor College of Dentistry the underlying problem. You should

1:28-1:33 consult an orthodontist, oral surgeon

or both before making any decisions.

For Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas

A & M System, I’m Dr. Linda Niessen,

Channel 8 News.

For viewer inquires:

Dr. Lee Fitzgerald

670 West Campbell, Suite 120

Richardson, TX

972-231-5301