Veneers, whitening, smile makeovers, and gum contouring by a board-certified prosthodontist and periodontist team — just 10 minutes from Newport Beach
Cosmetic dentistry is as much about science as it is about artistry. Newport Beach residents who invest in their smile deserve a cosmetic dental team whose training goes beyond weekend courses and certification programs. At The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa, cosmetic treatments are performed by board-certified specialists: Dr. Elaine Lu, a UCLA-trained prosthodontist who designs and places veneers, crowns, and aesthetic restorations, and Dr. Chanook David Ahn, a Yale-trained periodontist who sculpts gum tissue to create the ideal frame for those restorations. Dr. Yuliya Filipenka complements the team with cosmetic bonding and professional whitening services.
Our office at 3151 Airway Ave is approximately 10 minutes from Newport Beach, accessible from Balboa Island, Corona del Mar, Newport Coast, and all Newport Beach communities via the 73 freeway or Bristol Street. The South Coast Metro location is an area that Newport Beach residents visit regularly, making cosmetic dental appointments easy to fit into existing routines.
The distinction between a cosmetic dental practice staffed by general dentists and one led by board-certified specialists is visible in the results. A prosthodontist's three-year residency includes advanced training in smile design principles, shade science, material selection, and the biomechanics of tooth restoration. A periodontist's surgical training enables precise soft tissue modifications that general dentists are not equipped to perform. Together, these specialists produce cosmetic outcomes that are harmonious, natural, and built to last, not the uniform, overly white appearance that characterizes less sophisticated work.
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to transform their shape, size, color, and alignment. Dr. Lu's prosthodontic training at UCLA gives her an exceptional command of veneer design. She analyzes facial proportions, lip dynamics, tooth-to-tooth relationships, and color gradients to design veneers that look like ideal natural teeth rather than uniform artificial surfaces. Each veneer is custom-fabricated from high-quality ceramic that mimics the translucency and light-reflecting properties of natural enamel.
The veneer process at Loft Dental begins with a comprehensive smile analysis. Dr. Lu evaluates your teeth, gums, bite, and facial structure to develop a customized treatment plan. Diagnostic wax-ups or digital mockups allow you to preview the anticipated result before any tooth preparation begins. Minimal tooth reduction preserves as much natural tooth structure as possible. Temporary veneers are placed while the permanent restorations are fabricated, so you are never without an attractive smile during the process.
Surface staining from coffee, tea, wine, and aging can be dramatically improved with professional whitening supervised by our dental team. Unlike over-the-counter whitening products that deliver inconsistent results and can damage gums, professional whitening uses carefully controlled concentrations of bleaching agents applied with custom-fitted trays. Dr. Filipenka oversees whitening treatment plans that achieve significant lightening while protecting tooth sensitivity and gum health. Professional whitening is also an excellent complement to other cosmetic treatments, brightening natural teeth to match new veneers or crowns.
Composite bonding is a conservative, same-day cosmetic treatment for minor imperfections. Tooth-colored resin material is sculpted directly onto the tooth to repair chips, close small gaps, reshape irregular edges, and mask discoloration. Dr. Filipenka performs bonding with attention to color matching and surface contouring that ensures the repair blends invisibly with surrounding enamel. Bonding is an affordable alternative to veneers for patients with localized cosmetic concerns and is completely reversible since no natural tooth structure is removed.
The gum line is the frame of your smile, and an uneven or excessive gum display can detract from otherwise attractive teeth. Dr. Ahn performs gum recontouring, the precise reshaping of gum tissue to create a symmetrical, proportional gum line that reveals the ideal amount of tooth surface. For patients with a gummy smile, where excessive gum tissue makes teeth appear short, crown lengthening removes tissue and sometimes a small amount of bone to expose the full anatomical crown of the tooth. The result is a balanced gum-to-tooth ratio that dramatically improves smile aesthetics.
Newport Beach patients considering veneers or crowns often benefit from gum contouring as a preparatory step. Dr. Ahn and Dr. Lu coordinate to ensure that the soft tissue framework is optimized before permanent restorations are designed, producing results that look harmonious from every angle.
A smile makeover combines multiple cosmetic treatments into a coordinated plan that addresses every visible aspect of your smile. A typical makeover at Loft Dental might include gum contouring by Dr. Ahn to establish an ideal tissue frame, porcelain veneers by Dr. Lu to reshape and brighten the front teeth, and whitening by Dr. Filipenka to bring the remaining teeth into color harmony. Some patients also benefit from orthodontic alignment before cosmetic treatment, and our team can coordinate that phase as well. The multi-specialty team approach ensures that every element of the makeover, teeth, gums, color, alignment, and proportions, is addressed with specialist-level precision.
Missing teeth in the smile zone require both surgical and aesthetic expertise. Dr. Ahn places dental implants with precise attention to the position and angulation needed for an ideal cosmetic result. Dr. Lu then designs implant-supported crowns that replicate the contour, shade, and translucency of the adjacent natural teeth. The collaboration between surgeon and prosthodontist produces implant restorations that are indistinguishable from natural teeth, restoring both function and confidence for Newport Beach patients who have lost visible teeth.
Newport Beach residents: our Costa Mesa office is just 10 minutes away. Call (714) 549-7030 or book online for a cosmetic consultation.
Schedule Your ConsultationDr. Lu completed her prosthodontic residency at UCLA, where she received advanced training in smile design, dental materials science, occlusal analysis, and complex restorative cases. Her board certification from the American Board of Prosthodontics confirms her expertise in the design and fabrication of dental restorations. At Loft Dental, she leads all veneer, crown, and cosmetic restoration cases, bringing a trained eye for proportion, color, and detail that produces consistently natural results.
Dr. Ahn's contribution to cosmetic cases lies in his surgical precision with soft tissue. His Yale training in periodontics includes advanced techniques for gum contouring, crown lengthening, and tissue grafting that create the ideal soft tissue framework for cosmetic restorations. When gum symmetry, tissue thickness, or recession affects the cosmetic outcome, Dr. Ahn performs the surgical modifications that allow Dr. Lu's restorations to achieve their full aesthetic potential.
Dr. Filipenka provides cosmetic bonding, professional teeth whitening, and the preventive care that maintains cosmetic results over time. Her role as the primary care dentist means she monitors the long-term health of veneers, crowns, and surrounding teeth, catching any issues early and coordinating follow-up care with the specialists when needed.
Porcelain veneers at The Loft Dental Studio typically range from $1,500 to $3,000 per tooth, depending on case complexity and materials. Dr. Lu uses premium dental ceramics that replicate the translucency and color gradients of natural enamel. We provide a detailed cost estimate during your consultation and offer financing options to make veneer treatment accessible.
Our cosmetic services include porcelain veneers designed by a board-certified prosthodontist, professional teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding for minor repairs, gum contouring and crown lengthening for gummy smiles, comprehensive smile makeovers, and implant-supported aesthetic restorations. The combination of a prosthodontist and periodontist enables cosmetic treatments that address both teeth and gum aesthetics.
Yes. Dr. Ahn performs crown lengthening, a surgical procedure that removes excess gum tissue and, when necessary, a small amount of bone to expose more of the natural tooth crown. This corrects the appearance of short teeth and an excessive gum display. Crown lengthening is frequently combined with veneers or crowns placed by Dr. Lu for a complete smile transformation that addresses both tissue and tooth proportions.
Professionally placed porcelain veneers typically last 10 to 15 years or more. Longevity depends on the quality of materials, the precision of placement, and the patient's habits. Dr. Lu uses high-quality ceramics and meticulous bonding protocols to maximize durability. Avoiding habits like nail biting, ice chewing, and teeth grinding (or wearing a night guard if you grind) helps protect veneers long-term. Regular dental checkups allow Dr. Filipenka to monitor veneer condition over time.
Prosthodontists complete three additional years of residency training focused on dental restoration design and fabrication. Dr. Lu's UCLA training included intensive coursework in smile aesthetics, color science, dental materials, and the biomechanics of how restorations interact with the bite. This depth of training produces cosmetic results that are beautiful, functional, and durable. A general dentist offering veneers may produce acceptable results, but a prosthodontist brings the specialized knowledge to handle complex cases and achieve consistently superior outcomes.