Want it to look like nothing was done?
Most veneer work announces itself. If what you want is for people to notice you and not your teeth, that is a harder problem and a different kind of design. Send us a photo and we will tell you what it would take to get there.
- A call within two hours during office hours.
- A written cost from us, before you commit to anything.
- No obligation. Many patients take weeks to decide. That is normal.
What this case cost
$502/month
144 payments at 9.99% APR, on approved credit.
Total: $42,000 for a gum lift with bone recontouring and twenty porcelain veneers, ten upper and ten lower.
Ask about your case
Reviewed by our treatment coordination team. Call or text (310) 770-3335 if you would rather speak now.
Request received
A treatment coordinator will call you within two hours during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9 to 4).
To talk now, call (310) 770-3335.
Treatment Plan by Dr. Mehdizadeh
- Removal of existing discolored bonding
- Gum lift with bone recontouring to establish proper tooth proportions
- Upper porcelain veneers with natural surface texture
- Lower porcelain veneers for complete harmonization
- Surface characterization for proper light reflection
When Enhancement Should Whisper
She had tried the conservative approach first—dental bonding to address her smile concerns. It seemed like a reasonable choice at the time, attempting to preserve tooth structure while making improvements. But resin bonding has fundamental limitations that become apparent over time. The composite material absorbed stains from coffee, wine, and everyday foods. Edges began to chip and wear. The color shifted, becoming yellowed and dull while her natural teeth remained relatively stable. What began as a subtle enhancement had become a source of self-consciousness—her smile looked older than she did.
At 50, she wanted natural results that looked age-appropriate, without the bright, uniform look that announces cosmetic work.
"If someone compliments your teeth, we haven't done our job. The compliment should be that you look great."
Why Dental Bonding Fails Over Time
Dental bonding uses composite resin—the same material used for tooth-colored fillings. The dentist applies it directly to the teeth and shapes it by hand, making it a quick, affordable option for minor cosmetic improvements. But the material itself has inherent weaknesses that become problematic over time.
Composite resin is porous. It absorbs pigments from coffee, tea, red wine, berries, and countless other foods and beverages. Polishing and whitening work on natural enamel, but they cannot return stained bonding to its original color; the only solution is to replace it. The material also lacks the structural integrity of porcelain. It chips at the edges, wears down from normal biting forces, and develops micro-fractures that collect stains. Surface polish fades, leaving a dull, matte appearance that contrasts with the natural luster of surrounding teeth.
Bonding also ages differently than natural teeth. Even when teeth and bonding start at the same shade, they diverge over years. The bonding yellows and dulls while teeth may stay relatively stable—or vice versa. Either way, the mismatch becomes increasingly obvious. Bonding typically lasts 3-7 years before needing replacement, compared to 15-20 years for porcelain veneers.
The Challenge of Achieving Natural-Looking Veneers
Natural-looking teeth are harder to design than dramatic ones. Teeth that look like beautiful natural teeth, with subtle color variations, surface texture and age-appropriate characteristics, take a detailed understanding of dental anatomy and of how light behaves, and a design that starts with the patient's face rather than a template.
Patient Goals
Natural, age-appropriate results. Under-the-radar enhancement. Replace discolored bonding that had aged her smile. No obvious "work done" appearance. Porcelain chosen for long-term color stability and light transmission properties.
How We Built the Foundation
Before placing any restorations, Dr. Mehdizadeh performed a gum lift with bone recontouring to establish the proper framework for her new smile. This step is essential for natural tooth proportions.
The bone recontouring exposed more natural tooth structure and created the ideal gum-to-tooth relationships. Without this foundation work, even the most beautifully crafted veneers would appear off—the proportions would be wrong, and the gum line would undermine the result.
The Art of Surface Texture and Light
One detail that separates natural-looking veneers from artificial ones is surface texture. Natural teeth aren't perfectly smooth—they have subtle ridges, depressions, and surface characteristics that affect how light interacts with them. Our ceramist added deliberate texture to the porcelain surfaces to achieve proper light reflection and glare patterns. This is the kind of detail most people never consciously notice, but subconsciously register as "real" versus "fake."
- Surface texture matched to natural tooth anatomy
- Light reflection calibrated for authentic appearance
- Color graduation from gum line to incisal edge
- Subtle translucency variations mimicking natural enamel
- Age-appropriate characterization avoiding overly uniform appearance
The Result: Enhancement That Whispers
She now has upper and lower veneers that fit her natural appearance. Porcelain, which typically keeps its appearance for 15-20 years, has replaced the discolored bonding, and her smile looks entirely natural, as she wanted.
When friends noticed something different, they could not quite identify what it was, and asked: "You look great—did you do something different?"
"Natural-looking results are harder to achieve than dramatic ones. Restraint is a skill."
Frequently Asked Questions About Natural Veneers
Why did bonding discolor while porcelain won't?
Composite bonding is a porous resin that absorbs stains from coffee, tea, wine, and everyday foods. It also chips, wears down, and loses its surface polish over time. Porcelain is glass-ceramic—completely non-porous and highly resistant to staining. It typically keeps its color, luster, and structural integrity for 15-20 years or longer, making it the superior long-term choice despite higher initial cost.
What is bone recontouring and why was it necessary?
Bone recontouring reshapes the alveolar bone underlying the gum tissue to establish proper tooth proportions and gum architecture. In this case, Dr. Mehdizadeh performed it to reveal more natural tooth structure and create the ideal foundation for veneer placement. Without addressing the bone, the gum tissue would not stay in its corrected position long-term.
How much do natural-looking porcelain veneers cost in Beverly Hills?
This case was $42,000, covering a gum lift with bone recontouring and twenty porcelain veneers, ten upper and ten lower. $502/month: 144 payments at 9.99% APR, on approved credit.
How long does the veneer process take from start to finish?
A comprehensive veneer case with gum lift and bone recontouring typically takes 6-10 weeks. The gum and bone surgery requires 4-6 weeks of healing before veneer preparation can begin. Veneer fabrication takes an additional 2-3 weeks. You wear provisional restorations while our laboratory makes the veneers.
How do you achieve natural-looking results with veneers?
Natural appearance comes from attention to details most people never consciously notice: surface texture that matches natural tooth anatomy, color gradation from the gum line to the incisal edge, translucency variations that mimic natural enamel, and proportions matched to the patient's age and facial characteristics. These details are what separate veneers that look real from veneers that look like veneers.
Can veneers look age-appropriate for patients over 40?
Age-appropriate design is essential for natural results. The key is adjusting shade, translucency, surface texture, and proportions to complement the patient's overall appearance rather than creating teeth that look out of place. The goal is enhancement that blends seamlessly—not teeth that look 20 years younger than the rest of your face.
How long do porcelain veneers last compared to bonding?
High-quality porcelain veneers typically last 15-20 years or longer with proper care. Dental bonding typically lasts 3-7 years before staining, chipping, or discoloration requires replacement. Over a 20-year period, bonding may need 3-5 replacements while veneers may need none, making porcelain more cost-effective long-term despite higher initial investment.
Is bonding or porcelain a better alternative for my situation?
Bonding is appropriate for minor, temporary cosmetic fixes on a budget. Porcelain veneers are the better choice when you want lasting results, stain resistance, and natural aesthetics. We evaluate each case individually—if bonding can achieve your goals, it's the more conservative option. But for comprehensive smile transformations, porcelain consistently delivers superior long-term outcomes.
Who is the best cosmetic dentist for natural veneers in Beverly Hills?
Look for a dentist with advanced prosthodontic training and a portfolio showing subtle, natural-looking results—not just bright, uniform Hollywood smiles. The ability to create age-appropriate, natural veneers requires a different skill set than dramatic cosmetic work. Ask to see cases similar to your age and goals.
Do I need a gum lift with my veneers?
Not always. We recommend a gum lift when the gum line is uneven, too low, or creates disproportionate tooth-to-gum ratios. We evaluate the gum architecture during your consultation and recommend a gum lift only when it will meaningfully improve the final result. Some patients achieve excellent outcomes with veneers alone.
