Orange County's Best Magazine
Joseph J. Lim, DDS
Imperial Smile Dentistry
Creating Beautiful Smiles
Dr. Joseph Lim gets extremely excited when you ask him about cosmetic dentistry. “If I was practicing dentistry just ten years ago I probably would have felt very limited in what I could do for my patients,” he says. “Advanced technology makes practicing dentistry rewarding for both the patient and the doctor. Tooth restorations today are very natural looking, extremely strong and in many cases surpass the beauty of real teeth.”
Dr. Lim is a graduate of Columbia University in New York and a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. His state-of-the-art digital dental office in Yorba Linda emphasizes comprehensive general, cosmetic and implant dentistry.
His “practice-within-a-practice” offers total smile makeovers to patients who desire something more aesthetic even though they may have initially arrived for a simple check-up and cleaning. “My general dentistry patients make the best cosmetic patients because they witness firsthand how dentistry benefits them and helps them to eat and function better,” Dr. Lim says. “The relationship we form in the process and the trust they develop in me are invaluable.” Once that trust has been established, only then are his most cautious patients willing to venture into the world of cosmetic dentistry—looking to enhance their appearance and rejuvenate the look of their teeth.
Dr; Lim shares the story of a recent patient encounter. “A patient who had work done by another dentist was unhappy with her front teeth constantly chipping.” he says. “Repairing previously finished dental work is always a challenge.” During the initial exam, Dr. Lim noticed a bridge on her back teeth that had become loose due to improper design, causing her front teeth to align improperly. That imbalance caused her front teeth to keep chipping. The patient worked with Dr. Lim and once her bridge was fixed, she told him, “I no longer have any jaw pain or headaches, Doc!”
The same individual continued her comprehensive treatment. The result was a rejuvenated look thanks to an application of porcelain veneers on her front teeth. “Not only did she look more beautiful and years younger but she had no chipping problem any longer,” says Dr. Lim. The patient’s young son, impressed and enthusiastic, commented, “Mommy, your teeth look too perfect now!” ”I guess you just can’t please everybody,” says Dr. Lim.
Patients inquiring about cosmetic services are first diagnosed carefully with a meticulous exam, which includes digital xrays and photos of the entire face and inside the mouth. The images are taken to document the condition of the teeth before any procedures are started. The initial step is usually a cosmetic simulated imaging of the full face and then the laboratory creates a 3-D model of what the teeth will look like after the procedure is completed. After careful consultation and collection of the necessary information , and once the patient approves, Dr. Lim decides to proceed with the treatment. Occasionally Dr. Lim turns down a potential patient due to unrealistic expectations or an inadequate foundation of healthy teeth and gums.
“Patients love our spa-like atmosphere,” explains Dr. Lim. “They adore my staff and hygienist as well as our online appointment system.” Dr. Lim understands that is his personalized service and the relationships that his friendly staff creates that bring patients back. He says, “We strive to make every patient’s experience comfortable and satisfying the old–fashioned way, one person at a time.”
Imperial Smile Dentistry
17401 Bastanchury Rd. #103
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
714-524-3368
www.ImperialSmileDentistry.com