Custom porcelain veneers designed by Dr. Elaine Lu, with periodontal foundation work by Dr. Chanook David Ahn. Two specialists, one practice, one seamless smile transformation.
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental-grade ceramic, custom-fabricated to bond permanently to the front surfaces of your teeth. They correct chips, cracks, discoloration, gaps, minor misalignment, and uneven tooth shapes — transforming your smile in as few as two visits. Each veneer is approximately 0.5 millimeters thick, roughly the thickness of a contact lens, yet strong enough to withstand normal biting and chewing forces for 15 to 20 years.
At The Loft Dental Studio, board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Elaine Lu custom-designs every veneer. Prosthodontists complete three years of advanced residency training beyond dental school, focused specifically on the restoration and replacement of teeth. Dr. Lu earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from UCLA and holds board certification from the American Board of Prosthodontics — a credential held by a small percentage of practicing prosthodontists nationwide. She selects the porcelain shade, translucency, surface texture, and shape for each individual veneer so that your results look natural, not artificial. The goal is teeth that appear as though they grew that way — proportional to your face, harmonious with your lip line, and indistinguishable from natural enamel.
Most cosmetic dental practices focus exclusively on the teeth. A patient walks in requesting veneers, and the dentist preps and bonds them — sometimes in a single appointment. But teeth do not exist in isolation. They emerge from gum tissue. And if that tissue is inflamed, uneven, receding, or diseased, even the most expertly crafted veneer will look wrong, fit poorly, or fail prematurely.
This is the core philosophy behind every cosmetic case at The Loft Dental Studio: esthetics equals teeth plus tissue. Before Dr. Lu designs a single veneer, board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn evaluates the health, symmetry, and architecture of your gum tissue. His Yale-trained eye catches issues that most general dentists overlook — subtle gum recession that would expose veneer margins within a few years, chronic inflammation that prevents proper bonding, or uneven gum lines that make symmetrical veneers impossible.
If Dr. Ahn identifies tissue concerns, he corrects them before any cosmetic work begins. Crown lengthening reshapes the gum line to expose more tooth structure, creating balanced proportions. Gum contouring evens out asymmetric tissue for a symmetrical frame around your veneers. Soft tissue grafting rebuilds gum tissue lost to recession, protecting veneer margins from future exposure. Each of these procedures is part of periodontal care — the specialty focused on the structures that support your teeth.
Only after the tissue foundation is healthy and stable does Dr. Lu begin the restorative phase. This "perio meets restorative" approach is what separates The Loft Dental Studio from practices that treat cosmetic dentistry as a surface-level procedure. A veneer placed on unhealthy tissue is a veneer destined to fail. A veneer placed on tissue that has been evaluated, treated, and stabilized by a periodontist is a veneer built to last.
The entire process typically takes two to four weeks from preparation to final bonding, longer if periodontal treatment is needed first. Every step is coordinated between Dr. Ahn and Dr. Lu under one roof — no referrals to outside offices, no miscommunication, no delays.
The gold standard for cosmetic smile transformations. Traditional porcelain veneers are fabricated from high-strength dental ceramic in a specialized laboratory. They offer the most lifelike translucency and color matching, resist staining better than natural enamel, and last 15 to 20 years with proper care. A thin layer of enamel is removed to create space for the veneer, ensuring a flush, natural profile. Traditional porcelain veneers are the best option for patients who want the most durable, most natural-looking result.
For patients whose teeth require less correction, minimal-prep veneers offer a more conservative approach. These ultra-thin veneers require significantly less enamel removal — and in some cases, none at all. They are ideal for minor chips, slight gaps, or subtle shade improvements. While not appropriate for every case, minimal-prep veneers preserve more natural tooth structure and may be partially reversible. Dr. Lu evaluates whether your teeth and goals are suited to this approach during your consultation.
A more affordable alternative to porcelain veneers. Composite bonding uses tooth-colored resin applied directly to the tooth surface and sculpted by hand. It can be completed in a single visit, requires no enamel removal, and is fully reversible. Composite bonding is best for minor corrections — a single chipped tooth, a small gap, or a slight shape adjustment. It typically lasts 5 to 7 years and is more prone to staining than porcelain. For patients on a budget or those who want to test a cosmetic change before committing to porcelain, composite bonding is an excellent starting point.
| Veneer Type | Cost Per Tooth |
|---|---|
| Traditional porcelain veneers | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Minimal-prep veneers | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Composite bonding | $400–$800 |
These are estimated ranges. Your actual cost depends on the number of teeth treated, the complexity of your case, and whether preliminary periodontal work is required. Most cosmetic dentistry is not covered by dental insurance, but we offer flexible financing and payment plans. Call (714) 549-7030 for a personalized estimate.
Veneers cover only the front surface of the tooth, preserving most of the natural tooth structure. Crowns encase the entire tooth and are appropriate when a tooth is significantly damaged, decayed, or weakened. If your tooth is structurally sound and you are primarily concerned with appearance, veneers are the more conservative choice. If the tooth needs structural reinforcement, a crown is the better option.
Porcelain veneers last two to three times longer than composite bonding, resist staining far better, and provide a more lifelike appearance. However, composite bonding costs less, can be completed in one visit, and is fully reversible. Bonding is ideal for small, localized corrections. Veneers are the better investment for a comprehensive smile transformation involving multiple teeth.
If your only concern is tooth color and your teeth are otherwise straight, well-shaped, and undamaged, professional whitening may be all you need. Whitening is far less expensive than veneers and completely non-invasive. However, whitening cannot fix chips, gaps, shape irregularities, or severe intrinsic staining that does not respond to bleaching. Veneers address color and shape simultaneously.
See what porcelain veneers can do for your smile. Digital preview, periodontal evaluation, and a clear treatment plan from two board-certified specialists.
Call (714) 549-7030Porcelain veneers typically last 15 to 20 years with proper care. Some patients keep their veneers even longer. Longevity depends on oral hygiene, diet, and habits like teeth grinding. At The Loft Dental Studio, Dr. Lu uses high-quality feldspathic and pressed porcelain that resists staining and chipping. Dr. Ahn ensures the surrounding gum tissue stays healthy, which is critical for long-term veneer stability. We recommend a custom night guard for patients who clench or grind.
Porcelain veneers at The Loft Dental Studio cost between $1,500 and $2,500 per tooth. The price depends on the complexity of your case, the number of veneers, and whether any preliminary tissue work is needed. Composite bonding is a more affordable alternative at $400 to $800 per tooth. Most cosmetic dentistry is not covered by insurance, but we offer flexible financing and payment plans. Call (714) 549-7030 for a personalized estimate.
When designed by a skilled prosthodontist, porcelain veneers are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. Dr. Lu custom-designs each veneer to match the color, translucency, surface texture, and shape of your surrounding teeth. Porcelain reflects light the same way natural enamel does, creating a lifelike appearance. The key to natural-looking veneers is proportional design — teeth that fit your facial structure, lip line, and smile arc rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Gum disease must be treated before veneers are placed. Inflamed or receding gums will compromise the fit, appearance, and longevity of veneers. This is exactly why The Loft Dental Studio is uniquely equipped for cosmetic cases — board-certified periodontist Dr. Ahn diagnoses and treats any gum issues first, creating a stable, healthy foundation. Only after the tissue is healthy does prosthodontist Dr. Lu design and place your veneers. This two-specialist approach prevents the premature veneer failures that occur when cosmetic work is placed on unhealthy tissue.
The number of veneers depends on your goals and your existing teeth. Some patients only need two to four veneers to correct specific teeth that are chipped, discolored, or misaligned. Others opt for six to ten veneers to transform their entire visible smile zone. During your consultation, Dr. Lu uses digital smile design to show you exactly how different options will look before any preparation begins, so you can make a confident decision.
Traditional porcelain veneers require removing a thin layer of enamel from the front of your teeth, making them an irreversible procedure — you will always need veneers or another restoration on those teeth. Minimal-prep veneers require significantly less enamel removal and may be partially reversible in some cases. Composite bonding is fully reversible because it adds material without removing tooth structure. Dr. Lu will discuss which option is best for your situation during your consultation.