Because Every Smile Tells a Story
Are You the Right Candidate for Veneers?
Why Our Veneers Don’t Look Like “Veneers”
Crafted with Experienced Ceramists
Dr. Kim works closely with skilled ceramists so each veneer is shaped, shaded, and textured to blend naturally with your smile.
Designed for longevity
Veneers are planned around your bite and tooth structure so functional issues are not overlooked.
No Template Smile Design
Your veneers are designed around your facial features, tooth shape, smile line, and goals — not a standard catalog look.
ONE PERSONALIZED PLAN. A LIFE-CHANGING RESULT
When every detail is carefully planned, the outcome is more than a better smile. It is a renewed sense of confidence.
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Before And After
Where the Precision Comes From
Dr. Kim is a graduate of the Kois Center, one of the most respected clinical training programs in comprehensive dentistry, and a Fellow of both the Academy of General Dentistry and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He completed his dental degree and residency at UCSF and teaches advanced techniques to other dentists as a clinical instructor. That background helps him plan veneers with attention to bite, facial balance, tooth structure, and long-term function.
- Kois Center graduate, trained in evidence-based treatment planning and aesthetic outcomes
- Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (FICOI)
- Clinical instructor at Implant Accelerator, teaching advanced dentistry nationwide
- University of California San Francisco, Doctor of Dental Surgery and General Practice Residency
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Veneers, Done the Livewell Way
Clinical Instructor at Implant Accelerator.
No-Prep or Traditional Veneers?
No-Prep Veneers | Traditional Veneers | |
|---|---|---|
| What it involves | Veneers bonded directly to the tooth surface with little to no enamel removal | A controlled amount of enamel is reduced to create space for the veneer to sit flush and bond correctly |
| Is it reversible? | In most cases, yes. Because minimal or no tooth structure is altered, removal is possible | No. Once enamel is removed it does not grow back, making this a permanent commitment |
| Who it suits best | Patients with healthy enamel, minor cosmetic concerns, and teeth that are sized appropriately for added porcelain | Patients seeking more significant shape, length, or color changes that require a slightly thinner tooth surface to achieve the right result |
| Appearance | Natural and seamless when the case is appropriate for this approach | Equally natural. The reduction allows for more versatility in achieving dramatic changes without the veneers appearing bulky |
| Longevity | Often 10 to 20 years with proper care, depending on bite, habits, and maintenance | Often 10 to 20 years with proper care, depending on bite, habits, and maintenance |
| Anesthesia needed? | Rarely | Often, for patient comfort during the preparation stage |
Traditional veneers require a controlled amount of enamel removal, which makes the decision permanent. The veneers themselves typically last 10 to 20 years, at which point they can be replaced. No-prep veneers, where no enamel is removed, can in most cases be reversed. Dr. Kim will recommend the right approach during your consultation and explain exactly what the commitment looks like for your specific case.
For traditional veneers, a small amount of enamel is removed so the veneer sits flush and bonds correctly. At Livewell, Dr. Kim removes only what is necessary, no more. When a no-prep approach is appropriate, nothing is altered at all. The goal in every case is to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible while achieving a result that holds up over time.
Veneers should not look fake when they are carefully designed, shaded, and shaped around your natural smile. Every veneer is matched to the exact translucency, surface texture, and shade of your natural teeth by an elite ceramist. The result is meant to look like your teeth, improved, not like dental work. Most patients find that no one notices unless they choose to say something.
In cases of mild misalignment, veneers can correct the appearance of slight spacing, unevenness, or short teeth without orthodontic treatment. For more significant alignment issues, straightening first often leads to a more conservative and longer-lasting veneer result. Dr. Kim will tell you during your consultation which path fits your situation.
These are the three veneer scopes available at Livewell, each defined by how many teeth are involved. Perfect 1 is a single restoration, whether a veneer, crown, or bonding, crafted to disappear seamlessly into your existing smile. Magic 4 covers your four front teeth, the zone most visible when you speak or smile. Social 10 treats all ten upper teeth, the full frame of your smile from any angle. The right scope depends on your goals and your starting point, which is determined at your consultation.
A typical case at Livewell takes three to six weeks from your design appointment to final placement. The first visit covers evaluation and design. A second visit handles preparation while your veneers are being handcrafted. Final placement and refinement complete the process. If your case includes gum work or other preparatory steps, the timeline extends accordingly. You will know the full schedule before anything begins.
Grinding does not disqualify you from veneers, but it does need to be addressed before and after treatment. Uncontrolled grinding puts veneers at risk of chipping or failing early. At Livewell, every case begins with a bite evaluation. If grinding is a factor, Dr. Kim will discuss how to protect your result long-term before a single veneer is placed.