A general dentist provides comprehensive dental care, including preventive care, cleanings, fillings, crowns, and treatment of many other dental conditions.

An orthodontist is a dentist who completes additional specialized training focused on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of problems involving tooth alignment, bite, and jaw development.

At Rim Orthodontics, Dr. Paul Rim completed his dental education at Harvard and orthodontic specialty training at UCSF. He has more than 25 years of experience treating children, teens, and adults with a wide range of orthodontic needs.

Your general dentist and Dr. Rim have different but complementary roles in maintaining your overall oral health.

No. A referral is not required to schedule an appointment at Rim Orthodontics.

You are welcome to contact our office directly if you have concerns about tooth alignment, crowding, spacing, bite, jaw development, or previous orthodontic treatment.

Dr. Rim also welcomes referrals from general dentists and other dental professionals.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have an initial orthodontic evaluation by age 7.

This does not mean that every child needs treatment at age 7. An early evaluation allows Dr. Rim to evaluate tooth eruption and jaw development and determine whether treatment is needed now, later, or not at all.

Some children may benefit from early or interceptive treatment, while others simply need periodic observation as they grow.

Dr. Rim evaluates each child individually and recommends treatment only when it is appropriate.

No. Orthodontic treatment is not limited to children and teenagers.

Adults can often be successfully treated with braces or clear aligners, depending on their teeth, bite, gums, bone support, and overall dental health.

Dr. Rim treats patients of many different ages and has more than 25 years of orthodontic experience. During an evaluation, he will assess your individual situation and explain which treatment options may be appropriate.

It is never too late to ask whether orthodontic treatment could improve your smile or bite.

Yes. Invisalign can be an excellent option for many adults who want to improve the alignment of their teeth without traditional braces.

However, Invisalign is not automatically the best choice for every patient. The appropriate treatment depends on the individual’s tooth positions, bite, bone and gum health, treatment goals, and the movements that need to be accomplished.

Dr. Rim has been an Invisalign Platinum Plus Provider since 2020 and evaluates each patient individually to determine whether Invisalign or another treatment approach is most appropriate.

Invisalign can be an effective treatment option for many teenagers.

The decision depends on the patient’s orthodontic needs as well as their ability to wear the aligners consistently and follow instructions.

During the consultation, Dr. Rim will evaluate the patient’s teeth and bite and discuss whether Invisalign, braces, or another approach would provide the most appropriate and predictable result.

Invisalign may be appropriate for some younger patients, while traditional braces or an early treatment approach may be more appropriate for others.

The right treatment depends on the child’s stage of dental development, tooth eruption, bite, jaw growth, and ability to cooperate with treatment.

Dr. Rim will evaluate your child’s individual development and orthodontic needs before recommending whether treatment is appropriate and which approach is best.

Both Invisalign and braces can produce excellent orthodontic results, but neither is automatically better for every patient.

Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners. Braces use brackets and wires to move the teeth.

The decision depends on several factors, including:

• The amount and type of tooth movement needed
• The patient’s bite
• The complexity of the case
• Dental and periodontal health
• Age and stage of development
• The patient’s ability to wear aligners as directed
• Personal preferences

Dr. Rim evaluates each patient individually rather than recommending one treatment method for everyone.

Treatment time varies considerably because every orthodontic case is different.

Some relatively simple cases can be completed in less time, while more complex cases may require longer treatment. Treatment length can also be affected by growth, tooth movement, oral health, appliance breakage, and how consistently a patient follows treatment instructions.

After examining you and developing a treatment plan, Dr. Rim can provide an estimate of the expected treatment time for your particular case.

Not necessarily.

Treatment time depends more on the complexity of the orthodontic problem and how the teeth respond to treatment than on whether a patient chooses Invisalign or braces.

For some patients Invisalign may be an excellent option; for others, braces may provide a more appropriate or predictable approach.

Dr. Rim will discuss the expected treatment time and treatment options with you during your consultation.

Some temporary discomfort or pressure is normal when orthodontic appliances are first placed or adjusted. This usually improves as the mouth adapts.

The experience varies from patient to patient. Dr. Rim and our team strive to make orthodontic treatment as comfortable as reasonably possible while achieving the desired tooth movement.

Rim Orthodontics offers several types of braces, including:

• Traditional metal braces
• Ceramic braces
• Self-ligating braces
• Pitts 21 braces

Dr. Rim will recommend and discuss the type of appliance that is appropriate based on your orthodontic needs, treatment goals, and individual circumstances.

Your first visit is an opportunity to understand your orthodontic needs and treatment options.

Depending on your situation, the visit may include:

1. A review of your medical and dental history
2. A discussion of your concerns and treatment goals
3. An orthodontic examination by Dr. Rim
4. Digital photographs
5. Digital scanning when appropriate
6. X-rays or 3D imaging when clinically indicated
7. A discussion of the diagnosis and treatment options
8. An explanation of the expected treatment process and timing
9. Information about fees, insurance, and payment options

Dr. Rim’s goal is for you to leave your consultation with a clear understanding of your orthodontic condition and the treatment options available to you.

Yes. Rim Orthodontics offers secure virtual consultations for appropriate patients.

A virtual consultation can be a convenient way to discuss your concerns with Dr. Rim and determine whether an in-office orthodontic evaluation would be appropriate.

Because orthodontic diagnosis sometimes requires photographs, digital scans, X-rays, or 3D imaging, a virtual consultation does not necessarily replace an in-person examination.

Yes.

Orthodontic treatment does not replace routine dental care. You should continue regular visits with your general dentist and dental hygienist for examinations and professional cleanings.

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is particularly important during orthodontic treatment.

Dr. Rim and your general dentist have different but complementary roles in maintaining your oral health.

Possibly.

Many adults with previous dental work can successfully undergo orthodontic treatment. However, existing crowns, bridges, implants, missing teeth, periodontal conditions, and other dental issues may affect the treatment plan.

Dr. Rim will evaluate your individual dental situation and coordinate with your general dentist or other dental specialists when appropriate.

Some patients have significant differences in the size or position of the upper and lower jaws that cannot be fully corrected with orthodontic tooth movement alone.

In these situations, orthodontic treatment may be coordinated with corrective jaw surgery. This is commonly referred to as surgical orthodontics or orthognathic treatment.

Because jaw growth generally needs to be substantially complete before corrective jaw surgery, treatment is typically considered after the major growth period.

If surgery may be appropriate, Dr. Rim works closely with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to develop a coordinated treatment plan.

Retainers are an important part of orthodontic treatment.

Teeth naturally tend to shift over time, even after successful orthodontic treatment. For this reason, long-term retainer wear is generally recommended to help maintain the alignment that has been achieved.

The specific retainer schedule depends on the individual patient and treatment result. Dr. Rim will provide instructions for your particular situation.

Teeth can shift over time after orthodontic treatment.

This is why retention is considered an ongoing part of orthodontic care rather than simply something that happens immediately after braces or Invisalign.

Following Dr. Rim’s retainer recommendations consistently gives you the best opportunity to maintain your orthodontic result over the long term.

Digital scanning allows us to create a detailed three-dimensional record of the teeth without using traditional physical impressions.

At Rim Orthodontics, an iTero digital scanner can create a digital model of the teeth quickly and comfortably.

Digital records can be useful for diagnosis, treatment planning, monitoring progress, and creating orthodontic appliances and retainers.

A CBCT scan provides a three-dimensional view of the teeth and surrounding structures.

It is not necessary for every orthodontic patient. When clinically indicated, however, 3D imaging can provide additional information about tooth position, roots, bone, and other anatomical structures that may not be visible as clearly on conventional two-dimensional images.

Dr. Rim uses CBCT imaging selectively when the additional diagnostic information is appropriate for the patient’s treatment.

The first step is an orthodontic consultation.

You can contact Rim Orthodontics to schedule an appointment or discuss whether a virtual consultation may be appropriate.

During the consultation, Dr. Rim will evaluate your orthodontic needs, listen to your goals, and explain the treatment options that may be appropriate for you.

There is no referral required.

Rim Orthodontics is located at:

1027 Hopkins Avenue
Redwood City, CA 94062

We serve patients from Redwood City and surrounding communities.

Call (650) 368-8348 to schedule an appointment or contact our office with questions.