About Smile By Design Dental Group in Irvine, CA
At Smile By Design Dental Group, patients in Irvine, CA find a dental practice built around specialized training, careful listening, and treatment plans that respect what nature already gave you. Dr. Michael Choi, DMD, brings a prosthodontist's focused training in restoring and replacing teeth, backed by more than 35,000 implant surgeries and restorations over his career. Alongside Dr. Grace Ahn, DDS, the team welcomes new patients and communicates in English, Korean, and Spanish, a reflection of Irvine's diverse population and a commitment to clear communication with every patient. Rather than defaulting to the most invasive option, our practice starts by asking what can be preserved, then builds a plan around your goals, your timeline, and your questions.
Our Doctors
Combining specialized prosthodontic surgical excellence with evidence-based general dentistry for comprehensive patient care.
Dr. Michael Choi, DMD
Prosthodontics & Implants
Dr. Michael Choi, DMD — Prosthodontist and Implant Specialist
Dr. Choi is a prosthodontist and implant specialist who also practices general and cosmetic dentistry. Over the course of his career, he has completed more than 35,000 dental implant surgeries and restorations, and he continues to lecture and teach continuing education courses on implants and cosmetic dentistry. His approach centers on matching treatment to what a patient’s mouth actually needs, not the most involved option on the menu. Patients often mention how much time he takes to explain findings before moving into a plan. Learn more about Dr. Choi and the full team
Dr. Grace Ahn, DDS
General Dentist
Dr. Grace Ahn, DDS — General Dentist, Evidence-Based Care
Dr. Ahn is a general dentist and graduate of the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. She practices with an evidence-based, whole-person approach to care and is active in the Academy of General Dentistry and the Korean American Dental Association. Together with Dr. Choi, she helps round out a team equipped to handle everything from routine cleanings to complex restorative cases.
At Smile By Design Dental Group, treatment recommendations start with asking what can be preserved, backed by written treatment plans and honest guidance before any work begins.
Conservative Treatment — Preserving What You Have
Not every dental problem calls for the biggest intervention available. At our practice, treatment recommendations start with a simple question: what can be preserved? An inlay instead of a full crown, a filling instead of an extraction, a graft instead of a compromise. These are the kinds of choices patients notice, especially those who’ve felt over-treated at other offices. You can read more about how patients describe this approach on our patient testimonials page
Transparent Treatment Planning — No Surprises
Before any work begins, you’ll receive a written treatment plan that lays out what’s recommended, why, and what it’s expected to cost. There’s no pressure to decide on the spot, and questions are always welcome. This kind of clarity matters most when the stakes and the costs are higher, which is why it’s built into how every case is handled, from a single filling to full-arch implant work. Explore the range of services
Serving Greater Irvine & OC
Irvine · Newport Beach · Mission Viejo
Who We Serve
Smile By Design Dental Group serves patients throughout Irvine and the surrounding communities, including Newport Beach and Mission Viejo. As a dentist in Irvine with a prosthodontist in Irvine, CA on staff, the team is equipped to handle both straightforward dental needs and more complex restorative and implant cases. New patients are welcome, whether you're due for a routine visit or looking for a second opinion on a treatment plan from elsewhere. Care is available in English, Korean, and Spanish, which matters in a community as diverse as Irvine's. Many patients think of us as the Irvine dentist their whole family sees, from kids to grandparents. You can view real results from patients we've treated in our smile gallery
Multilingual Patient Care Available In:
Insurance and Accessibility
The practice accepts Aetna, Ameritas, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Delta Dental, Guardian, MetLife, Sun Life Financial, and United Concordia. For plan-specific questions or to confirm your coverage before your visit, see our insurance and financing page
Friday Early Morning Hours
Schedule your dental appointment before your workday begins with our convenient 7:00 AM Friday appointments.
Accepted Insurance Providers Include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our Irvine practice, prosthodontic services, and patient care.
The practice is built around a prosthodontist’s specialized training in implants and restorations, paired with a conservative approach that looks for the least invasive solution first. Patients also receive a written treatment plan before care begins, so costs and next steps are clear from the start.
Yes. New patients are welcome, whether you need a routine cleaning, a second opinion, or treatment for a more complex restorative or implant case.
The team communicates with patients in English, Korean, and Spanish, so language doesn’t have to be a barrier to understanding your care.
Yes. Dr. Michael Choi, DMD, is a prosthodontist and implant specialist who has completed more than 35,000 dental implant surgeries and restorations over the course of his career.
Get to Know Our Team in Person
Reading about a dental practice only goes so far. If you'd like to meet Dr. Choi or Dr. Ahn, ask about a treatment plan, or simply get your questions answered before deciding on anything, we're glad to have that conversation with you.