About | Meet the Doctors | Smiles by Dr. C

Our story

We are Dr. Seemalaxmi Chawan and Dr. Chirag Chawan, a husband-and-wife dental team. After spending over a decade practicing and teaching dentistry in the United States, we moved back to India with a simple goal: bring the same standard of care we delivered in America to patients in Navi Mumbai.

Both of us completed our advanced training at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), one of the top dental schools in the world. We have treated thousands of patients across the US, published research papers, won awards at national conferences, and taught the next generation of dentists as faculty members.

When the opportunity came to take over a trusted 30-year-old dental practice in Vashi, we knew it was the right fit. We are now rebuilding the clinic with new equipment, modern techniques, and a patient-first approach that reflects everything we learned and practiced in the US.

At Smiles by Dr. C, you get two specialists under one roof. No referrals, no running between clinics. Whether you need cosmetic dentistry, orthodontic treatment, implants, or a simple cleaning, we handle it all right here.

Dr. Seemalaxmi Chawan

Aesthetic and Restorative Dentist, UCLA Post-Graduate

Degrees: BDS, ACT

Training: UCLA School of Dentistry, Center for Aesthetic Dentistry (3-year post-graduate program under Dr. Edward McLaren, DDS); 1-year post-graduate program in Advanced Education in General Dentistry.

Faculty Position: Former faculty at AT Still University, Saint Louis, Missouri

Experience: 14+ years

Dr. Seema completed a three-year post-graduate program in Advanced Aesthetic and Restorative Dentistry at UCLA's Center for Aesthetic Dentistry. She trained under Dr. Edward McLaren, one of the most recognized names in cosmetic dentistry worldwide. She has previously served as faculty at AT Still University in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Areas of expertise

Smile design and complete smile makeovers
Porcelain veneers and ceramic restorations
Dental implants
Full mouth rehabilitation
Same-day dentistry using CAD/CAM technology
Advanced bonding and composite restorations

Dr. Seema's approach combines clinical precision with an eye for aesthetics. She believes every patient deserves a smile that looks natural and feels confident.

Dr. Chirag Vilas Chawan

Board-Certified Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics

Degrees: BDS, MS, ACT

Training: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Orthodontic Residency, Advanced Clinical Training in Orthodontics and Oral Biology Program.

Former Role: Past President, UCLA Alumni

Experience: 15+ years

Dr. Chirag completed his orthodontic residency, advanced clinical training in orthodontics, and the Oral Biology program at UCLA. He is a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and served as the Past President, UCLA Alumni.

Clinical focus

Clear aligners (Invisalign)
Traditional braces (metal and ceramic)
Orthognathic (jaw) surgery planning and coordination
Complex multidisciplinary cases
Craniofacial cases
Early orthodontic intervention for children

Awards and recognitions

Best Case Presentation at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), San Diego, California
Best Orthognathic Surgical Case at LACOMS, Los Angeles
Best Wire Bending Competition, UCLA, 2016
Best Case Presentation at the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontics (PCSO)

Published research

Pharmacokinetics and osteogenic potential of PEGylated NELL-1 in vivo after systemic administration.
Jin Hee Kwak, Yulong Zhang, Juyoung Park, Eric Chen, Jia Shen, Chirag Chawan, Justine Tanjaya, Soonchul Lee, Xinli Zhang, Benjamin M. Wu, Kang Ting, Chia Soo.
A mouse femoral defect model demonstrates the clinically relevant side effects of BMP-2: Uni-cortical mouse femoral defect model.
Jia Shen, Omar Velasco, Kevork Khadarian, Greg Asatrian, Alan Hwang, Yulong Zhang, Jinny Kwak, Chirag Chawan, Kambiz Khalilinejad, Mark Ajalat, Tyler Pritchard, Xinli Zhang, Aaron W James, Chia Soo.
PEGylated NELL-1 As Novel Platform Technology For Systemic Osteogenic Therapy.
J.H. Kwak, Y. Zhang, A. James, J. Shen, G. Asatrian, C.G. Chung, O. Velasco, C. Chawan, K. Khalilinejad, L. Chang, K.S. Lee, P. Bayani, S. Dolatyar, X. Zhang, C. Soo, K. Ting, B. Wu, E. Chen, A. Nguyen.

Why UCLA matters

Training that changes everything.

UCLA School of Dentistry is ranked among the top dental schools in the United States. Graduates are trained in evidence-based treatment planning, advanced materials, and patient-centered care.

When you visit Smiles by Dr. C, you are treated by dentists who trained at the same institution that trains some of the best dental professionals in the world. That is not a marketing claim. That is a foundation.

Dentist reviewing 3D dental imaging and CBCT scans

Meet the doctors behind Smiles by Dr. C.