Finding the best dentist in Owasso, OK, can feel overwhelming. You want to ensure you feel comfortable from the dentist’s chair to the waiting room – and that you will get the best dental care possible. Your Owasso dentist Dr. Heng Lim – with his experience and passion for providing excellent dentistry – will make you feel at home at Life Smiles of Owasso.
Dr. Lim’s Inspiring Background
Your Owasso dentist Dr. Lim became the first Cambodian-American to graduate from dental school in the United States in 1994. His story, however, began long before then.
Dr. Lim started a new life when he arrived in the United States after fleeing the killing fields of Cambodia at the age of 14. Although he had no formal education up to that point, he excelled in his early studies and graduated at the top of his class, and is a dedicated Christian. Dr. Lim then studied dentistry at the University of Oklahoma, where he won numerous awards, including “The Asian-American Outstanding Professional, Multicultural Achievement Award” in 1993–94. He became President of Hope for Cambodia (a Mission-based group.) Dr. Lim also conducted medical research on bone growth during his time at dental school.
Dr. Lim’s studies continued beyond basic dental school education. He pursued advanced training in the placement and restoration of dental implants at Baylor College of Dentistry. Dr. Lim also studied neuromuscular dentistry, physiological dentistry, facial growth, and Controlled Arch orthodontics at the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), earning his fellowship there. As said by Dr. Lim, “Out of LVI, Only 500 are members of the physiological dentists for LVIF (neuromuscular dentists). It takes a lot to be able to achieve this, and by doing so, it reflects that we are specialists in this particular field.”
His LVI education has shaped his unique approach to orthodontic treatment and has qualified him to treat complex TMJ issues in Owasso, OK. He is also a member of the ADA and the ODA (Oklahoma Dentist Association.)
After graduating from dental school in 1994, Dr. Lim was accepted into the prestigious trauma residency program at Hennepin Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Only four doctors out of 500 were selected for this residency program. Dr. Lim and his wife Rachel turned down this opportunity, however, in favor of moving to Oologah, OK, to start a dental practice. They have since been happily married for 33 years.
Three years later, they moved the practice to Owasso and established Life Smiles of Owasso as we know it today.
Treatment Philosophy and Areas of Experience
Dr. Lim has a special interest in guided facial development and whole-health dentistry. His dental treatment philosophy centers on the body’s needs as a whole. Dr. Lim doesn’t simply repair teeth, he strives to provide treatments that promote a balanced bite and facial profile, and that harmonize with his patients’ health goals. Helping patients achieve comfortable, functional, and beautiful smiles in Owasso is something that brings him great joy.
Dr. Lim has also focused on treating TMJ issues in Owasso since 2003. People across the country have come to him for treatment when they heard about how he had helped others. Several medical doctors and health professionals refer patients to Dr. Lim for TMJ treatment. Dr. Lim has successfully treated dentists and medical doctors and their patients!
Dr. Lim is a member of one of the most prestigious institutions, the International College of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopedics, where he also passed the examinations for a Fellowship in 2022.
What To Expect At Your Initial Consultation
You will start by meeting our hygienist, who will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums and get a general overview of your current oral health. She will also screen you for oral cancer, take x-rays, and a CT scan of your jaw.
Next, you will meet your Owasso dentist, Dr. Heng Lim. He will conduct a thorough examination and determine your unique dental needs. This examination will take around an hour to an hour and a half. This allows Dr. Lim to make a complete diagnosis of your oral health and create a plan of action to resolve any dental issues you are experiencing.