Broad Scope
Diagnosis, repair, and upkeep all happen in the same operatory, so most concerns get resolved without a referral elsewhere.
Accepting New Patients
General Dentistry in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Looking for one practice that can handle nearly everything? General dentistry in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, covers the day-to-day care that keeps teeth working well for decades. At Elite Dentistry, Dr. Lari pairs careful diagnosis with treatment that respects your time and your budget.
2,500+
Happy Patients
25+ Years
Experience
Same-Day
Emergency Care
Understanding Your Treatment
What Is General Dentistry?
General dentistry is the broad category of diagnostic, restorative, and maintenance care that keeps your mouth healthy and fully functional. It spans checkups and cleanings, fillings and crowns, root canals, extractions, gum therapy, and guidance on the habits you follow at home. A general dentist acts as the primary care provider for your mouth, tracking your health over time and bringing in a specialist only when a case calls for it. Nearly everything a smile needs across a lifetime falls under this umbrella.
The Benefits
The Benefits of General Dentistry
Function First
Restoring a comfortable bite lets you chew, speak, and sleep normally, which matters long after the appointment ends.
Cost Control
A small repair handled promptly costs a fraction of what the same tooth demands once a crack or infection takes hold.
Fewer Surprises
Consistent monitoring means any recommendation arrives with context behind it, never out of nowhere at a rushed visit.
The Process
Our Step-by-Step Process
From your first exam to the final result, here's exactly what to expect — calm, clear, and never rushed.
Request an Appointment- 01
Records Review
We gather your history, past treatment, and any files from a previous office so nothing gets repeated or overlooked.
- 02
Complete Charting
We chart every tooth, existing restoration, and gum measurement, building a baseline we can compare against for years.
- 03
Focused Diagnosis
Where something looks off, we investigate with targeted imaging and testing to identify the true cause, not just the symptom.
- 04
Options Discussion
We lay out what can safely wait, what should be handled soon, and what each path costs in both time and money.
- 05
Treatment Visit
We complete the agreed work at a pace that keeps you comfortable, then adjust and verify your bite before you leave.
Is It Right for You?
Signs You May Need General Dentistry
Long Gap
More than a year has passed since anyone looked in your mouth, and you would rather not be caught off guard by changes.
Rough Edges
A chip, a sharp corner, or a filling that suddenly feels different points to a restoration that needs repair before it fails.
Chewing Trouble
You steer clear of certain foods or favor one side of your mouth because biting down on the other side is uncomfortable.
Receding Gums
Your gums have pulled back from a tooth, exposing more of the root and leaving that area tender when you brush.
You're in good company… Glowing Reviews
Glowing Reviews
From Our Patients
5-star rated dental care from patients like you…
- 5 out of 5 stars. “Truly the most wonderful experience with a dental office and staff I’ve ever experienced. I came into Elite having recently experienced poor experiences elsewhere in town, and couldn’t believe how kind, capable and professional the team is here. I am 6 months into my Invisalign process and couldn’t be happier. Highly recommend Elite for general dentistry to anyone!” — Alex
- 5 out of 5 stars. “Elite dentistry has top a of the line facility, highly profesional dental technicians and excellent service in general.Same day crowns is amazing for someone with limited schedule during the week. I highly recommend this practice. This is our family dentist.” — Family
- 5 out of 5 stars. “Have been coming here for years. They accommodate all my needs and are very thorough with what they need to work on regarding my dental wellbeing. They also have very advanced dental technology which I love.” — Nicholas
- 5 out of 5 stars. “I just moved to OC and needed to find a new dental office. I had my first visit today with Elite Dentistry and was very impressed. Everyone who worked there was so kind and attentive and the equipment they use is very advanced. They recommend treatment without making you feel pressured.” — Jessica
- 5 out of 5 stars. “This is the dentist I've been waiting for! An absolute artist and master of the craft. When someone is passionate about what they do, it shows! Dr. Rastegar-Lari is simy the best in the area. We did some major work yesterday, and today I feel and look great! Thanks Doc!0” — K
- 5 out of 5 stars. “The stuff was very professional and informative.” — Anna
- 5 out of 5 stars. “Dr. Lari is so kind and gentle and a comforting personality that I have not seen in the dentistry business as long as I have had teeth. He is special and we are lucky to have him in our small community. He makes you feel like you are family and you will appreciate that. No hidden charges or overpricing at all at this office. He went way over and above in quality and cosmetic items I needed for what I paid for. He is my hero.” — Steve
- 5 out of 5 stars. “I had such a great experience at Elite Dentistry in RSM. The ladies at the front desk are so sweet and welcoming and just make everything feel easy from the moment you walk in. The assistants were gentle and attentive and really made sure I was comfortable the whole time.Dr. Lari was amazing. So professional, calm, and thorough. I felt completely at ease and genuinely taken care of. You can tell this office really cares!Highly recommend!” — Yasmeen
- 5 out of 5 stars. “Elite Dentistry is hands down one of the best dental clinics I’ve ever been to. Dr Mehran is truly the best in the industry extremely knowledgeable, professional, and someone you can genuinely trust. The entire team is welcoming and attentive, and you can tell ethics and patient care are a top priority here.They use state of the art technology and the latest equipment, which makes a huge difference in both comfort and results. Everything is explained clearly, there’s no pressure, and you always feel like they’re doing what’s best for you not just what’s convenient.Highly recommend Elite Dentistry to anyone looking for top-tier dental care with honesty, precision, and professionalism” — Masoud
- 5 out of 5 stars. “Elite Dentistry is the best. I grew up with an unnatural fear of dentists but these guys squashed that for me. They are very kind and thorough. They explain every step to make sure I was comfortable with their recommendations. The pricing is fair. I feel good about sending my family here for their dental needs.” — Kevin
- 5 out of 5 stars. “The staff is amazing at Elite Dentistry, very friendly, reassuring and especially gentle. The doctor is very friendly, gentle as well and never upsells.” — Jessica
- 5 out of 5 stars. “I had a great experience with Dr. Lari. The staff was incredibly friendly, professional, and made me feel comfortable from the moment I walked in. They took the time to explain everything clearly and made sure I was at ease throughout the visit. I don’t usually get to see the dentist very often, but when I did, it was clear that he knew exactly what he was doing and was very confident and skilled. I truly appreciate the level of care and attention I received and would highly recommend dr.Lari to anyone looking for excellent dental care!” — Leticia
The Elite Dentistry Difference
Why You'll Love General Dentistry at Elite Dentistry
Good general care is equal parts skill and judgment about what a tooth actually needs. Here is why patients across the area make us their dental home.
Here are just a few reasons our patients love us:
- Conservative Treatment Philosophy
- In-House CEREC Crowns
- Upfront Cost Estimates
- Thoughtful Second Opinions
Frequently Asked Questions
You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers
Don't see the answer you're looking for? Call us at (949) 888-8989.
What treatments does a general dentist in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, provide?
Checkups, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, extractions, and gum therapy all qualify. Much of our cosmetic and restorative work grows out of this everyday care.
How is a general dentist different from a specialist?
A general dentist diagnoses and treats a wide range of conditions, while a specialist concentrates on one narrow area. Dr. Lari handles most cases directly and refers when a case warrants it.
What if I have not seen a dentist in years?
You will not get a lecture. We start where you are, address anything urgent first, then build a realistic plan you can work through at your own pace.
Do you offer same-day crowns?
Yes, our in-house CEREC system designs and mills a permanent crown during a single appointment. No temporary crown and no second trip are required.
Do you accept dental insurance?
We work with most major plans and file the claims for you. Our team will verify your benefits ahead of time so you know your share before treatment begins.
How much does general dentistry in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA cost?
The cost of general dentistry depends on a few factors, including the scope of your treatment plan and whether additional imaging or procedures are needed. During your visit, we'll walk you through a clear, itemized estimate before anything begins — no surprises. At Elite Dentistry, we work closely with most insurance providers to maximize your benefits, and we offer flexible financing options and new patient specials to make quality care comfortable for every budget.
Schedule Your General Dentistry Consultation
Most dental problems are far easier to solve while they are still small. Fill out the form below, and our team will reach out within one business hour to find you a time.
25+ Years of Care
About Our Dentistry
Trusted Local Care in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
- Licensure
- CA License #65190 · Verify
- Insurance
- We work with most insurance providers.
- No Insurance?
- No problem — ask about our new patient specials and payment plans.
- Financing
- A wide range of dental financing options for every budget.
- Counties Served
- Orange County
- Cities Served
- Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Las Flores, Trabuco Canyon
Keep Exploring
Everything Else You Might Want to Know
On This Page
Related Additional Services Treatments
Helpful Links
Common General Dentistry Terminology
41 quick, plain-language definitions — tap to expand
Amalgam Filling A silver-colored filling used to repair cavities.
Bonding A procedure to repair chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth using a tooth-colored resin material.
Bridge A dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth.
Composite Filling A tooth-colored filling used to repair cavities.
Crown A cap that covers the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength.
Dentures Removable replacements for missing teeth.
Extraction The removal of a tooth.
Filling A material used to fill a cavity in a tooth.
Fluoride Treatment Applying fluoride to teeth to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities.
Inlay/Onlay A custom-made filling that is cemented onto a tooth.
Root Canal A procedure to remove infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth.
Dental Implants Titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone to replace missing teeth.
Scaling and Root Planing A deep cleaning procedure to treat gum disease.
Sealant A thin, protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent cavities.
Teeth Whitening A procedure to lighten the color of teeth.
Veneer A thin shell that is bonded to the front of a tooth to improve its appearance.
Dental Hygienist A licensed professional who provides preventive care, such as cleanings, exams, and patient education.
Endodontics The treatment of diseases of the dental pulp (root canals).
Oral Surgeon Performs surgical procedures in the mouth, including tooth extractions, wisdom teeth removal, and dental implant placement.
Orthodontics The alignment of teeth and jaws.
Pediatric Dentistry Focuses on the oral health of children.
Periodontics The treatment of gum disease.
Prosthodontics The replacement of missing teeth with artificial restorations (e.g., dentures, bridges, implants).
Abscess A collection of pus caused by an infection.
Bitewing X-ray An X-ray that shows the upper and lower teeth in a specific area.
Bruxism Grinding or clenching of the teeth.
Calculus (Tartar) Hardened plaque.
Caries The technical term for tooth decay.
Cavity A hole in a tooth caused by decay.
Cementum The layer of tissue that covers the root of a tooth.
Dentin The layer of the tooth beneath the enamel.
Enamel The hard, outer layer of the tooth.
Gingivitis Inflammation of the gums.
Malocclusion Misalignment of the teeth or jaws.
Occlusion The way the upper and lower teeth fit together.
Panoramic X-ray An X-ray that shows the entire mouth.
Periapical X-ray An X-ray that shows the entire tooth, from crown to root.
Periodontal Disease Gum disease.
Plaque A sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth.
Pulp The soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels.
Restoration A general term for any dental work used to restore the function or appearance of a tooth.