beautiful smiling woman

Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry in Orange County, California

Are you looking for a smile that makes you proud? One that restores your self-confidence and makes you glad to smile? Ignoring your teeth will only make the problem get worse. Come see Dr. Lori Bagai and her team of restorative and cosmetic dentistry specialists at Smart Smile Dental. Book your first visit today and Dr. Bagai will help with any dental or cosmetic restorations needed. For years we have been helping people in Orange, California, achieve a beautiful smile and increased self-esteem.


If you suffer from any of the following problems, we can restore your beautiful smile quickly and easily:

  • Crooked teeth
  • Overbite and underbite
  • Unsightly gaps between your teeth
  • Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
  • Dental Crowns
  • Dental Restorations
  • Tooth Sensivity
  • Missing teeth
  • Discolored, yellowed, or stained teeth
  • Old dental work needing correction
  • Misshapen teeth
  • Gum Disease
  • Root Canal

Porcelain Veneers

Are your crooked, broken, or discolored teeth limiting your social life and causing you embarrassment? Would you like a smile makeover? You don’t have to continue hiding your smile. You can get your smile transformed at Smart Smile Dental with porcelain veneers. Dr. Bagai and the entire staff are here to help you achieve the one smile you always wanted and address any dental needs.


We use porcelain veneers to fix many different tooth problems which prevent you from smiling. Porcelain veneers can fix:

  • Stained, discolored, or yellowed teeth
  • Teeth that are too large or too small
  • Unsightly spaces between your teeth
  • Uneven or misaligned teeth
  • Misshapen or broken teeth
  • Teeth that are worn or chipped
Take back your smile by setting an appointment now with Dr. Bagai and her team. 
Have your teeth become stained or yellow over time? Beverages such as coffee, tea, soda, and red wine leave unsightly stains on your teeth. Smoking or chewing tobacco leaves your teeth yellow. This is a natural occurrence which will only get worse as time goes by.

If your teeth have become stained, don’t worry. You can still improve your smile. 

Our in-office teeth whitening procedure gives you a quick, safe way to whiten your teeth which produces results immediately. Come visit Smart Smile Dental and find out how teeth whitening can give you a gorgeous white smile.
Do your crooked teeth cause you to hide your smile? You can’t help how your adult teeth grew in, but you CAN do something about it now. 

Dr. Lori Bagai has helped hundreds of people just like you get straighter teeth and a beautiful smile with Invisalign clear braces.

Invisalign clear braces are not like traditional braces. Primary differences are:
  • The aligners are clear and virtually invisible. It’s very hard for people to see you’re wearing them unless you point them out.
  • Invisalign works faster than traditional braces. Your teeth are straightened in about 9 to 15 months as opposed to 2 years with traditional braces.
  • Invisalign aligners fit more comfortably than traditional braces. Traditional braces can rub the soft tissues in your mouth, causing irritation and discomfort. Invisalign aligner trays are smooth, giving a comfortable fit while your teeth get straightened.
Invisalign aligner trays are easy to use. You can take them out when eating or brushing your teeth, then put them right back in. Every six weeks, you’ll come into the office so that we can ensure your treatment is going as planned.
Schedule an Invisalign consult at our practice and find out how Invisalign can give you the smile you’ve always wanted.
When you break a tooth it becomes more likely to develop cavities than a healthy tooth. And eating becomes difficult or painful when you have broken teeth or extensive decay. If you don’t fix these problems quickly, they will certainly get worse.

Fortunately, broken and badly decayed teeth can be fixed using porcelain crowns. A crown acts like a protective cap for your tooth, adding strength and restoring normal function. The porcelain material can be matched to the natural color of your teeth so blends in perfectly.

If you have broken or badly decayed teeth, don’t delay! Make an appointment now to see Dr. Bagai and get a treatment plan to restore your teeth and preserve your smile.

Dental Inlays and Onlays

Cavities do not heal. Once your tooth starts to decay, it will only get worse if not taken care of. The larger a cavity gets, the less tooth material you have left because the decay has eaten it away. Early detection and treatment of cavities helps preserve your teeth for life. Dental inlays and onlays provide a way of handling mild to moderate tooth decay or damaged teeth without using a crown. 

Placing a crown on a tooth requires grinding the tooth down to a shape that allows the crown to fit properly. Inlays and onlays require only minimal removal of tooth material, as they’re smaller. If there is just a small cavity, a filling normally does just fine. More extensive tooth decay can be solved with inlays and onlays. If the tooth decay is extreme, a crown will be needed. In our office, we work hard to ensure your inlay or onlay matches the color of your teeth, preserving the beauty of your smile. 

If you feel you may have tooth decay that requires an inlay or onlay, please reach out to us so that we can address it before it gets worse. 
Are you frustrated because your missing teeth prevent you from eating normally? Are you concerned about looking older than you really are because your missing teeth have changed the shape of your face?

Dentures and partials dentures are an economical way to replace your natural teeth. These help restore a person’s appearance and tooth functioning in an easy, nonsurgical way.
Missing teeth can affect your appearance and the health of your remaining teeth. A dental bridge is the economical way of fixing this problem, fastening the replacement tooth to the teeth on either side of it (thus forming a “bridge”).

If you are missing a tooth, don’t let it go. Call into the office so we can do a consult and determine if a bridge is right for you. 
Missing teeth can make it embarrassing to smile and cause difficulty speaking clearly or eating. Additionally, your mouth is not built to have missing teeth, so when there is a hole the other teeth begin shifting around over time. This can cause significant health problems, not the least of which is jawbone loss. 

Dental implants are probably the best method for replacing missing teeth, whether one, several, or all of them. They provide a permanent solution to missing teeth and include some of the following benefits:
  • Implants last a lifetime, unlike bridges which need periodic replacement
  • Implants don’t slip or come loose when eating hard foods
  • Implants prevent jawbone loss that can occur from missing teeth
  • Implants look and feel just like your real teeth
  • Implants permanently restore your naturally beautiful smile
Get your smile back with the latest in dental implant technology, whether you need one tooth replaced or several. Find out more about dental implants by setting an appointment with our office. Call us at (714) 744-1242.

Watch Our Videos About Restorative Dentistry

FAQ About Restorative Dentistry

  • What procedures fall under restorative dentistry?

    Restorative dentistry procedures are procedures that help fix your teeth. There could be a variety of procedures ranging from a simple sealant or a filling to a crown or a bridge or anything to fix a tooth.

  • How are cosmetic and restorative dentistry different?

    Cosmetic dentistry is a procedure that is done to meet your specific needs to make you look better or feel better. On the other hand, restorative dentistry is done to restore health or to get rid of a disease process or a situation.

  • How does a dentist determine if restorative dentistry is necessary?

    The dentist will usually take some x-rays, examine you, check your mouth out and see what is required in your personal situation. They will take a holistic view and recommend what is good for you and good to maintain your oral health in the best of situations.

  • What would disqualify me from being eligible for restorative dental procedures?

    I'm not sure if you would get disqualified for a restorative dental procedure. We just have to find the right fit for you and see what is appropriate for you and get you to the point where you can get appropriate treatment.

  • What are restorative dental procedures?

    Restorative procedures are any procedures done to fix a tooth. If there is a problem then that needs to be fixed. It needs to be restored back to health. That's what is a restorative procedure.

  • What materials are used in restorative dentistry?

    There are many materials that are used for a restorative procedure depending on what you are needing. We tend to use very healthy or biologic materials in our office so that they don't cause you harm and they are good for you and they also look good at the same time.

  • What are the outcomes and benefits of restorative dentistry?

    The major outcome of restorative dentistry is to be in the best possible health, to try and keep your teeth for the rest of your life and to be able to chew better, smile better and feel confident.

  • How can recovery time vary after a restorative dental procedure?

    It depends on how extensive your procedure was but usually the recovery time is very short. If you need any medication the dentist will usually prescribe you whatever is needed for you. It's not needed all the time so usually recovery is not a problem from a dental procedure.

  • Are restorative dental procedures painful?

    Restorative dental procedures are usually done under local anesthesia and they should not hurt. The dentist will make sure that you are numb and you have adequate numbness so that you do not feel anything.

  • How can I schedule a dental exam?

    You can schedule a dental exam by calling us at (714) 744-1242. We do have immediate openings available so give us a call as soon as possible.

  • What is restorative dentistry?

    Restorative dentistry is essentially about restoring the tooth structure or your mouth. If it is damaged then you restore it. So, restorative dentistry is all about fixing teeth or gums or the mouth and restoring it back to health.

  • What is the difference between restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry?

    Restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry are different in that restorative dentistry is done to cure an unhealthy or not ideal situation, such as a disease process or missing tooth. On the other hand, cosmetic dentistry involves voluntary procedures aimed at enhancing aesthetic appeal.

  • What conditions would require restorative dentistry?

    Restorative dentistry could be done for various reasons such as needing a sealant on your teeth to prevent cavities, filling a tooth, doing a crown, a bridge, or an implant restoration. All these could be considered restorative dentistry.

  • Is anesthesia or sedation used during restorative dental procedures?

    Yes, most commonly a local anesthetic is used during restorative procedures to ensure that you're not feeling any pain. In certain circumstances, if it's an extensive procedure or a full mouth procedure, general anesthesia might be used but most commonly only local anesthesia suffices.

  • What are the benefits of restorative dentistry?

    The benefits of restorative dentistry include restoring your oral health back to normal or ideal where it should be to get rid of all the disease process. The diseases affect your health as well, they affect your vital organs so it's important to get rid of dental disease as soon as possible and restore it back to health.

  • Are there risks associated with restorative dental procedures?

    Yes, as long as the human body is alive, there are always risks associated with it but a dentist will extensively go over your special circumstances, your health situation, your medications, your allergies and make sure that you're not exposed to any risky procedures and that all precautions are taken to prevent any risk.

  • How long does it take to recover from restorative dental procedure?

    Recovery from a restorative dental procedure should be quick, usually a day or two depending on your circumstances. If you're having any issues immediately after you are halfway done, you're not fully done, then you will be given certain precautions not to do and you should follow that.

  • What is the success rate with restorative dental procedures?

    The success rate should be 100% with restorative procedures, if there are any risk of the prognosis or the prediction of the success of the procedures not very good, the dentist will tell you what the risks are, how long approximately it'll last or other alternative treatments for you.

  • How can I schedule a dental appointment to restore my teeth and oral health?

    You can schedule an appointment immediately by calling (714) 744-1242 and get your mouth checked out or your health checked out and find out what is needed and wanted for you and get going on your path to full health.

  • If I have any further questions, can I call for answers?

    Yes, you can feel free to give us a call at (714) 744-1242 and schedule an immediate appointment to get your personalized questions answered.

Watch Our Videos About Cosmetic Dentistry

What are veneers and who are they best suited for?

Veneers are kind of like contact lenses on your teeth. They are best suited for someone who is very conscious about the shape, size, and color of their front teeth and is not happy with them. If whitening or other procedures have not helped, veneers are usually suggested to improve your looks. It's a good cosmetic procedure to get a brand-new smile.


What options do I have for teeth whitening?

For teeth whitening, there are usually two kinds. We usually suggest a combination: one is an in-office whitening followed by a maintenance program at home. This is because we eat and drink daily, and foods stain our teeth. So, a combination of in-office whitening and home whitening is the best option.


What is a smile makeover and what treatments are included?

A smile makeover is a full analysis of your smile. It involves both the doctor and you discussing what your needs are or what the doctor suggests. It's a combination of both parties working together to decide what needs to be fixed or arranged, and then we proceed with the plan.


How do you choose the right cosmetic dentist?

My suggestion is to meet with the dentist to see if they understand you and if what you're looking for is something the dentist can deliver. That is how you find the right cosmetic dentist for you.


What is the difference between veneers and crowns?

A veneer is usually like a contact lens on top of the teeth, while a crown is more like a hat on top of your teeth. That is the major difference. Once again, the dentist will examine and tell you what is appropriate for you.

FAQ About Cosmetic Dentistry

  • What is cosmetic dentistry?

    Cosmetic dentistry is anything that you do to improve your smile, to improve the looks of a tooth or multiple teeth, or your generalized smile. So, anything that is done to improve the looks of your teeth is called cosmetic dentistry.

  • How would I know if cosmetic dentistry is right for me or my family?

    Cosmetic dentistry is a very personal situation for everybody. Everybody's needs are very different. The best way to do that is to come in for a free cosmetic dental consultation and I will go over your needs, what exactly you are trying to achieve, and we will go over all your options and how achievable your needs are. So basically, we will do a customized consultation for you.

  • Whats the difference between cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry?

    Cosmetic dentistry is usually something that you want to do. General dentistry is something that you usually need to do. For example, your cleanings, your cavities, crowns, root canals, deep cleaning, anything like that. Those are usually need-based, and cosmetic is something that you desire to do.

  • What is the difference between cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry?

    Cosmetic dentistry is something to improve your smile of either one single tooth or several teeth. Restorative dentistry is usually to fix a problem with the tooth. Either it's a broken tooth, a large cavity, an old filling, or an uncomfortable bite—things like that would fall under restorative dentistry. what is the difference between cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry?I'm not sure if you would get disqualified for a restorative dental procedure. We just have to find the right fit for you and see what is appropriate for you and get you to the point where you can get appropriate treatment.

  • Can cosmetic dentistry improve my smile?

    Yes, cosmetic dentistry can definitely improve your smile. We do have the ability to show you before and after before you even start and to see how you like it and then we proceed from it.

  • Can cosmetic dentistry fix an overbite?

    Cosmetic dentistry can definitely fix the overbite. We will have to look into your particular situation to see what exactly is going on and what you're trying to achieve and we could definitely help your overbite. There are multiple ways of doing it. We have to find what is the right fit for you.

  • Can a cosmetic dentist fix crooked teeth?

    Yes, a cosmetic dentist can definitely fix crooked teeth. Like I said, there are multiple different ways of doing it, and we have to sit down and talk to you and analyze your particular bite and health and general health and decide what is the right fit for you.

  • How old should a child be before considering cosmetic dentistry?

    It depends on what is going on with the child what exactly the child is looking to achieve or what the parents along with the children are looking to achieve. There is no particular set of criteria. We will have to sit down and talk to you and analyze your particular bite and health. If there is something that concerns the parents or the child, you should bring them in for a free consultation and talk to us about whether something needs to be done right now or if we need to wait for the child to grow up.

  • Can a cosmetic dentist work with young children?

    Yes, a cosmetic dentist can definitely work with young children. We are a full-service office and we work with all ages and all kinds of people with all different specialties. So, everything can be done in our office.

  • Is there any point where someone is too old or not well enough for cosmetic dentistry?

    If a person is thinking about cosmetic dentistry, most likely not. If they want to achieve something, then most likely not, and we have different forms of treatment. If the health is very compromised, then there might be some other form of treatment that is less invasive that can be achieved. But no, there is no upper age limit to cosmetic dentistry.

  • Is cosmetic dentistry covered by insurance?

    Depending on what you need, portions of cosmetic dentistry might be covered by the insurance. We look into that and we always maximize your benefits. Depending on what kind of insurance you have, and what you need, we give you the complete breakdown and we will go over what your insurance will cover, and what they will not cover.

  • What other conditions can be fixed with cosmetic dentistry?

    Cosmetic dentistry can fix pretty much anything that is concerning to you about the looks of your smile or your teeth or even the feel of your teeth. We can help you fix pretty much anything.

  • How can cosmetic dentistry change the structure of my mouth?

    Cosmetic dentistry is done to achieve your goals and we go over that in great detail to see what exactly you are trying to achieve. Sometimes it doesn't change it at all. Sometimes it does change it. So, it is very customized to each individual and what the doctor and the patient are trying to achieve. So, we could sit down and we could make a customized plan for you and we do have before and afters that we can show you on your particular smile so that we can decide whether it's the right fit for you.

  • When is cosmetic dentistry considered oral surgery?

    Cosmetic dentistry might be oral surgery in either a very limited area or it might be extensive if it's a really bummed-out mouth or, you know, the patient doesn't have hardly any cavities. But surgery is a very broad term. It could mean surgery on one tooth, on several teeth, on multiple teeth. So, it's best for us to see you and make a customized plan for you.

  • What are the advantages and benefits of cosmetic dentistry?

    The advantages and benefits of cosmetic dentistry are that you achieve the smile of your dreams. You have a higher confidence level. You're more comfortable. You can start dating again if you haven't been dating. You eat better. You feel better. You learn how to talk better. You feel more comfortable. You do the things that you think are going to make you happy. You're more kind-hearted. You feel better. You have a higher confidence level. And again, it depends on what you're trying to achieve and that definitely can be achieved with cosmetic dentistry.

  • What is the process I can expect to go through if I get cosmetic dentistry?

    For cosmetic dentistry, in your particular situation, we will bring you in for a free consultation and then decide exactly what you need, what kind of consultation you need, or who you need to see or what needs to be done. So, every plan is very highly customized to you only. So, we would see you and then we would customize it just for you.

  • What should I consider when choosing a dentist for cosmetic dentistry?

    Cosmetic dentistry is something very personal and the best thing to look for is to see if the dentist truly understands what you're trying to achieve and what their confidence level is to be able to achieve that and basically if you feel understood or if you feel like we are achieving what exactly you want to achieve for yourself.

  • Is cosmetic dentistry painful?

    No, cosmetic dentistry is not painful. You are under some form of anesthesia, usually depending on what exactly you need, either local anesthesia or general anesthesia. You could be sleeping through a very extensive procedure. So no, it's not painful.

  • What anesthesia options will be available during a cosmetic dental procedure?

    It depends on what exactly you need. Usually, it's done under local anesthesia, but if you have a very complex situation, then we might decide to put you to sleep.

  • Will I need to follow any specific directions after cosmetic dentistry?

    We make sure that you are aware of your follow-up instructions before we even start the procedure, so you are very well prepared for it. It depends on your situation. Sometimes there are none. Sometimes there are some procedures, but we usually will go over it the following day.

  • How long will it take for me to recover from a cosmetic dental procedure?

    So, it depends on what you've gotten done for yourself. Usually, it's not a long process. Usually, it will take a couple of weeks. So, it depends on what you've gotten done for yourself.

  • If my insurance won't cover the cost of cosmetic dentistry, are there any financing options available?

    Yes, we have several financing options available depending on your situation and your personal needs. We try and customize that to your particular needs and just talk to you about what exactly you need and we will make a financial plan accordingly.

  • How can I schedule an appointment to discuss cosmetic dentistry?

    To schedule cosmetic dentistry is very easy. You just give us a call at 714-744-1242 schedule your free consultation and get started on it immediately. What I see the most is people wait for a long time and their case becomes even more complicated and more involved. So give us a call as soon as you decide you want to proceed with this at 714-744-1242. What I do recommend is you not think too much about it and let us think for you.

Make an Appointment

Call us now at (714) 744-1242  

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