Three specialists under one roof — veneers, whitening, smile makeovers, and gum contouring in the heart of Costa Mesa
A truly exceptional cosmetic result requires more than a skilled hand with porcelain. It demands an understanding of how teeth, gums, and facial proportions interact to create a natural-looking smile. At The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa, cosmetic dentistry is a collaborative effort among three doctors whose combined training covers every dimension of smile aesthetics.
Dr. Yuliya Filipenka, our general dentist, performs professional whitening, cosmetic bonding, and comprehensive evaluations that identify which treatments will produce the most impactful improvements. Dr. Elaine Lu, a UCLA-trained, board-certified prosthodontist, specializes in the design and fabrication of porcelain veneers, cosmetic crowns, and full smile reconstructions. Her prosthodontic training gives her a precise eye for tooth proportions, color matching, and occlusal harmony. Dr. Chanook David Ahn, a Yale-trained, board-certified periodontist, addresses the soft tissue framework that frames the teeth. His gum contouring and crown lengthening procedures correct gummy smiles, uneven gum lines, and short clinical crowns that make teeth appear stubby.
This three-specialist model is rare in cosmetic dentistry. Most practices rely on a single general dentist to handle everything, or they refer patients to outside specialists, introducing delays and communication gaps. At The Loft Dental Studio, located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, the entire cosmetic treatment plan is conceived, coordinated, and executed by doctors who share the same office, the same records, and the same commitment to your result.
Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to correct chips, cracks, discoloration, gaps, and minor misalignment. Dr. Lu's prosthodontic training means she approaches veneer design with the same precision used in full-mouth reconstructions. She evaluates tooth-to-lip relationships, midline alignment, and the golden proportions that the eye perceives as attractive. Each veneer is custom-layered in a dental laboratory to replicate the subtle translucency and surface texture of natural enamel. The result is a smile that looks enhanced but never artificial.
Years of coffee, wine, tea, and normal aging dull the brightness of natural teeth. Dr. Filipenka offers in-office professional whitening that lifts stains several shades in a single visit using a concentrated bleaching agent applied under controlled conditions. For patients who prefer gradual whitening at home, custom-fitted trays with professional-grade gel deliver consistent results over one to two weeks. Professional whitening is often the first step in a comprehensive cosmetic plan, establishing the baseline shade that veneers or crowns are then designed to match.
Minor chips, small gaps, and surface imperfections can be corrected in a single appointment with cosmetic bonding. Dr. Filipenka applies tooth-colored composite resin directly to the tooth, sculpting it to restore natural contours before hardening it with a curing light. Bonding is a conservative, affordable option that preserves natural tooth structure. While less durable and stain-resistant than porcelain veneers, it provides an excellent solution for patients who want immediate improvement with minimal intervention.
A smile makeover combines multiple cosmetic procedures into a coordinated treatment plan designed to transform the overall appearance of a patient's smile. At The Loft Dental Studio, smile makeovers leverage the expertise of all three doctors. A typical plan might include gum recontouring by Dr. Ahn to establish a symmetrical soft tissue frame, followed by porcelain veneers or crowns by Dr. Lu to reshape and brighten the teeth, with whitening by Dr. Filipenka on any teeth not receiving restorations. The planning process begins with a detailed cosmetic evaluation, photographs, and a discussion of goals, ensuring every patient understands the expected outcome before treatment begins.
The appearance of teeth is profoundly affected by the gum tissue surrounding them. Excessive gum tissue makes teeth look short and creates a gummy smile. An uneven gum line draws attention away from otherwise straight, white teeth. Dr. Ahn uses precise surgical techniques to reshape the gum margin, exposing the ideal amount of tooth structure and creating a level, symmetrical contour across the smile. Crown lengthening removes gum and, when necessary, a small amount of bone to increase the visible portion of the tooth. These procedures are frequently performed before veneer or crown placement to ensure the final restorations have proper proportions and a natural emergence profile.
When a tooth is too damaged for a veneer or bonding but the root is still healthy, a porcelain crown restores both function and appearance. Dr. Lu fabricates crowns from high-strength ceramic materials that withstand biting forces while replicating the color and translucency of adjacent natural teeth. Digital impressions eliminate messy traditional molds and improve the accuracy of the fit. Each crown is evaluated for marginal integrity, occlusal contact, and aesthetic integration before final cementation.
Schedule a cosmetic consultation with our multi-specialty team. Call (714) 549-7030 or book online.
Schedule Your AppointmentOur office at 3151 Airway Ave is in the South Coast Metro corridor, centrally positioned for every Costa Mesa community.
We offer porcelain veneers, professional teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, comprehensive smile makeovers, gum contouring, crown lengthening, and porcelain crowns. Our team of three specialists — Dr. Filipenka (general dentist), Dr. Lu (prosthodontist), and Dr. Ahn (periodontist) — addresses every aspect of cosmetic dentistry, from tooth shade and shape to gum line symmetry and facial proportions.
Veneer costs depend on the number of teeth treated and the complexity of the case. We provide a detailed estimate after a cosmetic consultation where Dr. Lu evaluates your teeth, discusses your aesthetic goals, and recommends the best approach. Financing options are available to help make treatment accessible.
Porcelain veneers are custom-fabricated in a laboratory and offer superior stain resistance, durability, and color stability. They typically last 10 to 15 years or longer. Cosmetic bonding uses composite resin applied directly to the tooth in a single visit. Bonding is more affordable and conservative but may stain or chip over time and generally lasts five to seven years. Dr. Lu and Dr. Filipenka help patients choose the option that fits their goals, timeline, and budget.
Yes. If excess gum tissue creates a gummy appearance or your gum line is uneven, Dr. Ahn can reshape the tissue to reveal more tooth structure and create balanced proportions. This procedure is often coordinated with veneers or crowns placed by Dr. Lu so that the teeth and gums are both optimized for the most natural-looking result.
Timelines vary based on the treatments included. Whitening takes a single visit. Veneers typically require two appointments over two to three weeks. Cases involving gum surgery may need additional healing time before final restorations. During your consultation, we provide a realistic schedule tailored to your specific plan so you know exactly what to expect.