Prosthodontist San Jose

Get to Know Dr. Steve Lim

San Jose prosthodontist Doctor Steve Lim

For Dr. Lim, being a dentist is all about changing people’s lives by helping them become healthier and more confident. He’s so passionate about this that he put in the considerable time and effort to complete a rigorous specialty program to become a board-certified prosthodontist in San Jose. For over 25 years, he has enabled patients with simple and complex dental needs alike to achieve and maintain the beautiful, worry-free smiles they deserve, and he’s eager to do the same for you.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Dentist?

Doctor Lim showing a dental team member something out of frame

Dr. Lim says he first became fascinated by dentistry when he was just in the 5th grade. His uncle was a dentist, and seeing how much he loved his job inspired Dr. Lim to follow in his footsteps. He still walks this path today and has never looked back.

Exterior of building at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

Where Did You Study Dentistry?

Dr. Lim’s studies began with him receiving his BS degree at the University of Washington, and this was followed by earning his DMD at the prestigious Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He stayed there to obtain his postgraduate degree in Prosthodontics.

Today, Dr. Lim is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics, a Fellow at the American College of Prosthodontists, an Associate Fellow in the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, and a member of the Academy of Osseointegration. On top of this, he is an active member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and the American Academy of Prosthodontics. 

He is also the CEO and Founder of APS Global Ventures (a company that uses CAD/CAM technology to manufacture dental implant components) and Director of both the San Francisco and Silicon Valley study clubs. He frequently completes training through Spear Education to ensure his care is guided by the latest findings and technology within the dental field. 

Doctor Lim and his family smiling and sitting on a boardwalk Doctor Lim with his family on a beach Doctor Lim and his family in ski gear on a snowy mountain Doctor Lim and his family outdoors with green trees in background

Outside of the Dental Office, What Do You Like to Do?

A state champion (Washington) wrestler in his high school days, Dr. Lim is happily married to a fellow dentist (an orthodontist), and they have two wonderful sons. He likes to spend his free time skiing, golfing, playing piano/guitar, and enjoying the outdoors with his family.

 

Dr. Steve S. Lim's Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Steve S. Lim is a board-certified prosthodontist with extensive experience in esthetic dentistry, dental implants, oral rehabilitation, and complex restorative care. With advanced specialty training from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and decades of clinical, academic, and leadership experience, Dr. Lim is recognized for his expertise in full mouth reconstruction, implant dentistry, and advanced treatment planning

Education

University of Washington logo

Bachelor of Science in Biology
1993–1998

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine logo

Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
1998–2002

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine logo

Certificate in Postgraduate Prosthodontics (with Honors)
June 2005

American Board of Prosthodontics logo

Board Certified Prosthodontist
2006

Misch International Implant Institute logo

Surgical Dental Implant Residency Graduate
2007

Oregon Health Sciences University logo

Certificate in Moderate IV Sedation
2022

Appointments & Professional Experience

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

Pre-Clinical Instructor

Department of Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry

Division of Removable Partial Dentures

2003–2005

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

Clinical Instructor

Department of Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry

2003–2006

Steve S. Lim, DMD

Owner & Prosthodontist

Premier dental practice specializing in esthetic dentistry, dental implants, and full mouth reconstruction.

2006–2011

San Francisco Study Club

Director & Founder

2010–Present

APS Global Ventures, LLC

CEO & President

Manufacturing and milling dental implant components utilizing CAD-CAM technology.

2012–2015

Center For Advanced Dentistry

President & Owner

Premier dental office specializing in esthetic dentistry, dental implants, and oral rehabilitation.

2011–Present

Smile Design Implant Centers

President & Owner

Implant center focused on serving the edentulous population.

2021–Present

Professional Organizations

American Dental Association logo

Member, 2002–Present

American College of Prosthodontists logo

Member, 2002–Present

Fellow, 2005–Present
American Board of Prosthodontics logo

Diplomate, 2005–Present

Massachusetts Dental Society logo

Member, 2005–2006

Western Massachusetts Valley District Dental Society Member, 2005–2006
San Francisco Dental Society logo

Member, 2006–2011

California Dental Association logo

Member, 2006–Present

International Congress of Oral Implantologists logo

Fellow, 2007–Present

Academy of Osseointegration logo

Member, 2008–Present

Tufts Prosthodontic Alumni West Coast Chapter logo

Chairman, 2008–Present

Santa Clara Dental Society logo

Member, 2011–Present

Spear Study Club logo

Co-Director, 2013–2020

American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry logo

Associate Fellow, 2010–Present

Awards & Achievements

Elected to the Admissions Committee for Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (2001–2002)

Honored National Boards Parts I & II (2002)

Recipient of the Lloyd Miller Scholarship (2003–2005)

Graduated with Honors from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (2002 & 2005)

Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists (2008)

Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (2009)

Fellow, American College of Prosthodontists (2009)

Elected President of the Class of 2005, Postgraduate Prosthodontic Program at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

Serves as Dental Expert for the Dental Board of California (2010–Present)

Licensure

Licensed in

Washington State

(2002)

Licensed in

Massachusetts

(2005)

Licensed in

California

(2006)

Research, Presentations & Publications

“Management of Sleep Apnea” Boston, MA — January 2003

“Screw Retained versus Cement Retained Implant Prosthesis” Boston, MA — January 2005

“Management of Site Enhancement of the Anterior Implant Prosthesis” Boston, MA — March 2005

Presentation at the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics

“Fabrication of an Implant Prosthesis with the Use of a Provisional Implant Abutment”
Chicago, IL — February 2005

“Utilizing the Cadiax Axiography in Determining a Treatment Position in TMD Patients”
Seoul, South Korea — August 2005

“Treatment Planning the Worn Down Dentition from Z to A”
Seattle Study Club, San Francisco, CA — 2010

Lecture at the California Dental Association
“Treatment Planning Patients With Worn Down Dentition” — 2011

“Treatment Planning the Patient With Complex Occlusion and TMD Issues”
Northern California Asian Dental Association, San Francisco, CA — 2011

“Treatment Planning the Edentulous Patient”
Golden State Study Club, San Jose, CA — 2018

“Digital Workflow of Different Scanners in Implant Dentistry”
Golden State Study Club, San Jose, CA — 2019

“Demystifying the Terminal Dentition”
Nevada Dental Society, Reno, NV — 2024

Research Projects

“The Accuracy of Face-bow Transfer From One Operator on Different Patients”
Study evaluating the accuracy of Denar vs. SAM III face-bow systems and the effect of third reference points in transfer precision.
Boston, MA — April 2005

Table Clinic Presentation at the American College of Prosthodontists Remo Sinibaldi Memorial Table Clinic Competition

“Fabrication of an Implant Prosthesis with the Use of a Provisional Implant Abutment”
Boston, MA — April 2005

“Utilizing the Cadiax Axiography in Determining a Treatment Position in TMD Patients”
Seoul, South Korea — August 2005

“Treatment Planning the Worn Down Dentition from Z to A”
Seattle Study Club, San Francisco, CA — 2010

Lecture at the California Dental Association

“Treatment Planning Patients With Worn Down Dentition”
San Francisco, CA — 2011

“Treatment Planning the Patient With Complex Occlusion and TMD Issues”
Northern California Asian Dental Association, San Francisco, CA — 2011

“Treatment Planning the Edentulous Patient”
Golden State Study Club, San Jose, CA — 2018

“Digital Workflow of Different Scanners in Implant Dentistry”
Golden State Study Club, San Jose, CA — 2019

“Demystifying the Terminal Dentition”
Nevada Dental Society, Reno, NV — 2024