Our Team of Dental Experts at Irvine Tooth Cafe & Orthodontics
Meet the dedicated team of dental professionals at
Irvine Tooth Cafe & Orthodontics, each bringing their unique expertise and passion to provide the best dental care in Irvine.
Meet Our Dedicated Team of Dental Professionals
"I loved going to the dentist as a child, my teenage orthodontic experience was what made me want to become an orthodontist."
Dr. Sona Bekmezian is a Board Certified Orthodontist and a Director on the Board of the California Association of Orthodontics. She graduated summa cum laude from UCLA and completed her dental training and orthodontic residency at UCSF, where she was the recipient of the UC Regents Scholar Award. She practiced orthodontics for many years in the Bay Area, served as clinical instructor at Children's Hospital Oakland, and also started two orthodontic clinics across the Bay Area to provide orthodontic treatment to those in greatest need.
Fun Facts: Dr. Sona picked up beekeeping as a hobby during the pandemic. She sincerely loves eating vegetables (no joke) and she also enjoys making gluten-free baked goods.
"I am passionate about creating beautiful smiles and the positive changes that they bring."
Dr. Cynthia Huang spent her childhood in Malaysia but then moved to the United Kingdom where she completed high school and college. Upon graduating from Queen's University Dental School with distinctions, she pursued her orthodontic specialty training at Northwestern University, Chicago. After finishing her residency in 1999, she joined the faculty at Northwestern University Dental School as a Clinical Assistant Professor, teaching the fundamentals of clinical orthodontics to the dental students, and treating patients with the Cleft Palate Team at Northwestern University.
Fun Facts: Dr. Huang was born with perfect pitch! She loves learning new things on YouTube and watching true crime documentaries. Her favorite food is anything with noodles. She resides in Irvine with her husband and their two high schoolers.
“My goal is to provide ethical and comprehensive treatment in a gentle and caring manner.”
Dr. Minh-An La-Pham received her dental education at USC. She is passionate and is an expert in working with computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM), which we utilize at the Tooth Cafe to make same-day CEREC crowns.
Fun Facts: When she's not running after her toddler, Dr. La-Pham loves to dance, bake, and golf. She is fluent in Vietnamese and Spanish.
“I am passionate about listening carefully to my patients. This is the first step in providing the highest level of care.”
Dr. Firas Bukai is one of America’s Top Dentists, graduating from the prestigious Tufts University. He completed advanced training at Loyola University of Chicago and has since obtained Fellowship of the Academy of General Dentistry and Fellowship of the International Congress of Implant Dentistry. Dr Bukai is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and an expert in cosmetic smile makeovers.
“Practicing dentistry isn’t just about fixing teeth; it’s about having a deep understanding of a patient's values. By harmonizing these elements, we not only achieve optimal health outcomes, but lasting smiles that resonate with the well-being of every patient.”
Dr. Bui holds a Bachelor of Science from USC, a Master of Biomedical Science from Rutgers University - Newark, and a Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Nova Southeastern University. Her commitment to excellence led her to pursue an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency at Fenway Health in Boston, where she honed her expertise in advanced restorative techniques, surgical procedures, and state-of-the-art digital dentistry.
Fun Fact: When she's not at the office, you might find her pursuing her passion for the ocean and wildlife photography. She has experienced shark cage diving in Cape Town and recently obtained her scuba diving certification in French Polynesia, the world’s largest shark sanctuary.
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