Cosmetic Dentistry Center NYC

Treatment

Lip Filler in NYC

Lip filler is a nonsurgical injectable treatment that restores volume, shape, and definition to the lips using hyaluronic acid gel. Results appear immediately and last 6 to 12 months. At Cosmetic Dentistry NYC, Dr. Pia Lieb treats the lips as the frame of the smile. Lip proportion is designed around tooth position, gum line, and lip support rather than volume alone.

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What is lip filler?

Lip filler is hyaluronic acid gel injected into the lip body and border to add volume, correct asymmetry, and sharpen definition. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule the body produces naturally, and it binds water to create fullness.

The gel is placed in precise planes rather than one deposit. Injection depth determines the result: superficial placement sharpens the border, and deeper placement builds body volume.

Most lip fillers contain lidocaine for comfort during treatment. Treatment is completed in under an hour with little to no downtime.

Lip filler enhancement by Dr. Pia Lieb at Cosmetic Dentistry Center NYC — photo 1
Lip filler enhancement by Dr. Pia Lieb at Cosmetic Dentistry Center NYC — photo 2
Lip filler enhancement by Dr. Pia Lieb at Cosmetic Dentistry Center NYC — photo 3

Which lip filler products are FDA approved for lip augmentation?

The FDA has approved Juvéderm Ultra XC, Juvéderm Volbella XC, Restylane, Restylane-L, Restylane Silk, and Restylane Kysse for lip augmentation. Each product carries a different gel thickness and produces a different degree of firmness.

Juvéderm Ultra XC adds fullness and lasts up to one year. Juvéderm Volbella XC softens perioral lines and delivers subtler volume for up to 12 months.

Restylane Kysse received FDA approval in May 2020 for lip augmentation and upper perioral wrinkles in adults 21 and older, with results lasting up to one year.

Juvéderm Voluma and Juvéderm Vollure are not FDA approved for the lips. Product selection is confirmed during your consultation.

Which areas of the lips can filler treat?

Filler treats six distinct perioral structures, each requiring a different technique and volume. Treating the lips as a single unit is what produces the overfilled result patients want to avoid.

Vermilion border,

the line separating lip tissue from surrounding skin, is sharpened to restore definition lost with age

Cupid's bow,

the double curve at the center of the upper lip, is redefined for a more sculpted upper lip shape

Philtral columns,

the two vertical ridges above the upper lip, are supported to lift the central lip

Lip body,

the visible red tissue, receives volume for overall fullness

Oral commissures,

the corners of the mouth, are supported to lift a downturned expression

Perioral rhytids,

the vertical lines above the upper lip, are softened with a thinner gel

Who is a candidate for lip filler?

Candidates are adults in good general health with realistic expectations and no active infection near the mouth. Suitability is confirmed during a full clinical evaluation, not over the phone.

Filler is appropriate for patients with naturally thin lips, age-related volume loss, asymmetry between the upper and lower lip, or a poorly defined vermilion border.

Filler is deferred for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an active skin infection or cold sore outbreak, or have a known allergy to hyaluronic acid products.

Patients with a history of cold sores are pre-treated with antiviral medication, because injection can trigger an outbreak.

What happens during a lip filler appointment?

Every new patient begins with a one-hour consultation with Dr. Pia before any treatment is scheduled. The consultation fee is $500 and credits in full toward the cost of treatment.

During the consultation, Dr. Pia assesses lip anatomy, tooth position, and facial proportion, then presents every appropriate option without pressure. Patients are asked to email existing X-rays before the appointment.

Injection itself takes 15 to 30 minutes. Treatment is delivered by needle or cannula depending on the area and the depth required.

Appointments are booked in advance and the card is charged at the time of booking. There is no same-day availability and no online booking, because appointment lengths vary.

Dr. Pia treats one patient at a time, with a 15-minute buffer between every appointment. Patients never encounter one another.

How long does lip filler swelling last?

Swelling peaks within the first 24 to 48 hours and largely resolves within 3 to 7 days. The final shape settles at approximately two weeks, which is when results should be judged.

Bruising occurs in a portion of patients and fades within 7 to 14 days. Tenderness, redness, and small palpable firm areas are common and temporary.

Product labeling reports that side effects are generally mild and resolve within 30 days. Sleeping with the head elevated and applying cold compresses during the first 48 hours reduces swelling.

Avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, and heat exposure for 24 hours after treatment.

How long does lip filler last and can it be reversed?

Hyaluronic acid lip filler lasts 6 to 12 months, and it can be dissolved at any point with hyaluronidase. Metabolism, product selection, and injection volume determine the individual duration.

The lips are one of the most mobile areas of the face, so filler breaks down faster there than in the cheeks or jawline. Most patients maintain results with a touch-up every 6 to 12 months.

Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid and typically takes effect within 24 to 48 hours. Reversibility is the reason hyaluronic acid is preferred over permanent implants.

Filler migration, where product spreads beyond the vermilion border, is corrected by dissolving and reinjecting.

Is lip filler safe?

Hyaluronic acid lip filler carries a low complication rate when injected by a trained clinician who understands perioral vascular anatomy. Serious complications are rare but require immediate treatment.

Vascular occlusion, where filler compresses or enters a blood vessel, is the most significant risk. Warning signs are severe or worsening pain, blanching of the skin, and a dusky or mottled appearance.

Infection, nodules, and granulomas occur infrequently. Skin necrosis and vision loss are documented but very rare.

The American Academy of Dermatology warns against needle-free hyaluron pen devices, which cannot control injection depth and have caused serious injury.

Can lip filler correct a gummy smile?

A gummy smile shows more than 3 millimeters of gum tissue when smiling, and neurotoxin can reduce the display by relaxing the muscles that lift the upper lip. Results appear within days and last 3 to 4 months.

Gum display has three causes: a hyperactive upper lip, a short upper lip, and excess gum tissue over the teeth. Muscular causes respond to injection. Excess tissue requires gum design, which recontours the gum line directly.

Dr. Pia determines which cause applies before recommending treatment, because injecting a tissue-driven gummy smile produces no lasting change.

Why choose Dr. Pia Lieb for lip enhancement in NYC?

The archive spans approximately 14,000 cases and can be viewed in the before and after gallery.

  1. 1Dr. Pia Lieb has practiced cosmetic dentistry in NYC for more than 30 years and taught facial and dental anatomy at university level for approximately 19 years
  2. 2She holds the title of Clinical Assistant Professor Emerita at NYU College of Dentistry
  3. 3Dr. Pia earned her DDS from NYU College of Dentistry in 1988 and joined its faculty in 1990, including a teaching appointment at Tel Aviv University
  4. 4The practice operates as a single provider at a single location, and every patient is treated by Dr. Pia personally, with no work delegated to associates
  5. 5All staff sign nondisclosure agreements, and before and after photographs are used only with written patient consent and are cropped to the mouth, with no identifying facial features

Frequently asked questions about lip filler

Lip filler in NYC is priced per syringe, and the market range runs from $500 to $1,500 depending on the product and volume used. Your total is confirmed during the one-hour consultation with Dr. Pia. The $500 consultation fee credits in full toward the cost of treatment. CareCredit and Alphaeon financing are accepted, along with credit cards, checks, and wire transfers.

Patient Reviews

Featured Review

Nancy Edsparr

Dr Pia is the absolute best! Her attention to detail, her care and concern for her patient, and her hard-headed determination to settle for nothing but perfection makes both the experience in her chair and the resulting smile exemplary. I consulted with 5 different cosmetic dentists before finding Dr Pia and realizing that she was the only one I could trust with my teeth. While her results are magnificent, her care for the health and well being of your teeth is really unmatched. She doesn't unnecessarily cut your gums or grind your teeth. She spent a full day making sure that all my teeth were healthy and there was no decay before starting the cosmetic part of my case. When I finally saw my beautiful veneers, Dr Pia felt the margin between the gum and veneer on one of them was not tight enough and needed to be fixed. I didn't even notice it, but she wasn't satisfied. Veneers are a big investment in money and time, but healthy teeth are the most important. When you put yourself in Dr Pia's care, you can rest easy that under the beautiful smile she creates for you, you have a healthy foundation that will keep your new smile looking good for years to come.

Brooke Shields

Dr. Pia is a perfectionist and this is what you want for a dentist! She goes out of her way to accommodate her clients. Thanks, Pia!

Achilles Zarbis

I've been seeing Dr Pia for 20 years and she is the best- Dr. Pia is amazing, after my visit I felt much more clean and confident than any other dentist has ever made me feel. I am so appreciative of how much she helped me, her great office, and her kind personality, and I am excited to come back.

Patti Schmidt

Dr. Pia has an attention to detail like my own and really listens to what you want for your teeth. She’s a true artist, and my experience has been wonderful!

Eric Price

Dr. Pia was very helpful and straightforward with options available to me. She took her time to understand what I was looking for and how to be of best help. Unlike other dentists, she doesn’t rush you in/out, and you can tell immediately she actually cares about her work & patients. 10/10 would recommend for anyone seeking cosmetic dentistry work. Thanks!

Agnes Lermani

Dr. Pia is the ultimate cosmetic dentist in New York. Her precision, artistry, and expertise in smile makeovers are unmatched. My results are natural and flawless. Truly life changing. If you want the best, Dr. Pia is the one to trust.

Danielle T

Dr. Pia at Cosmetic Dentistry Center is the best cosmetic dentist I’ve ever been to! I’ve been seeing her for years and I’ve never had a dentist take better care of me. And the best part is they have a massage chair for while you’re waiting!

Aymun Salman

Dr. Pia is the best! Her practice is a far cry from your usual stuffy and boring dentist's office. I came to her specifically because she has been a cosmetic dentistry mainstay in Manhattan for a long time, and her results are consistent and natural.

Emily Van Raay

Dr. Pia is the best for cosmetic dentistry - she flawlessly fixed a discoloration on my tooth as well as my alignment !!

Alina Senkiv

I came here for the Dr.Pia’s experience for do my veneers, and I left very satisfied. The consultation lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the doctor provided me with all the information. She saw me and helped bring all my wishes to life.

Nathalie Lyon

Pia is amazing. She is an excellent doctor. Clear communicator and painless as possible. Her knowledge and craftsmanship is incredible. No one compares. She always goes above and beyond, she gave me my smile back!

Electra Zarbis

Dr. Pia changed my life and gave me better advice than any other dentist. I have had a lot of dental issues and the orthodontists I’ve been to haven’t been very helpful, but Dr. Pia told me exactly what I need to do and what help I need to request from my orthodontist.

Theodora Z

Dr. Pia is a smile MIRACLE WORKER! I had some very challenging dental problems that I had tried to resolve at two other dental offices. I was so disappointed that my front teeth supposedly could not be restored properly.

Paul Marron

I've been seeing Dr Pia for 20 years and she is the best- she's always paid close attention to my dental health and pointed out exactly what was happening (in my case it was grinding) she helped get me fixed up with a proper night guard. She also gave excellent advice to take with me after my appointment. Her staff is also exceptional with scheduling- thank you Maryem for sorting us all out! see you in 6 months!

Nicole

Dra Pia is one of a kind an the best in every way. Her work is outstanding, she is the Michelangelo of smiles! I had the experience myself and highly recommend Cosmetic Dentistry Center NYC. You will be treated as royalty, she is so good in what she does! Her office is beautiful, elegant and chic, and her staff very nice and friendly.

Bryanna John

I just had the best experience with Dr.Pia and her assistant Luz! I had a veneer emergency and Dr.Pia saw me right away. She is so skilled, so knowledgeable, funny, and her office is really a vibe. I love it here. If you ever thought about coming here don’t think about it, JUST DO IT! This office is really the best

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