It isn’t too happy a situation either for the gynecologist who tries to allay Dawn’s examination discomfort with the reassuring words, “Don’t worry—I won’t bite you,” guaranteed for a surefire audience laugh before he meets his fate.

Writer-director Mitchell Lichtenstein’s film, part horror, part send-up, has the earmarks, or shall we say teethmarks, of what could become a cult favorite. The film has an environmental angle. Dawn grew up near nuclear facilities. At first, Dawn, nicely played with innocence and openness by Jess Weixler, is bewildered by her troublesome condition as she tries to square her sexual stirrings with the morality she has been taught to expound. But when confronted by sex she definitely doesn’t want, the toothy vagina becomes a symbol of female empowerment as well as man’s worst nightmare.

There are some gruesome but funny scenes that may induce shrieks of horror, and some women may laugh with glee. Men may cringe. Overall, “Teeth” scores as satire for those willing to go along with the sick sex-horror joke and the cleverly developed plot line. The cast members, including John Hensley, Josh Pais, Hale Appleman, Ashley Springer, Vivienne Benesch, Lenny Von Dohlen, Nicole Swahn, Julia Garro and Adam Wagner get into the spirit of the put-on.