Gimlen Orthodontics

What Gimlen Orthodontics does

Gimlen Orthodontics is a privately held orthodontic practice headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California, operating two clinical locations in Manhattan Beach and El Segundo within the South Bay area of Los Angeles. The practice was originally founded in 1967 by Dr. James Duffin and is currently owned and operated by Dr. Amy A. Gimlen, DDS MS, and Dr. Scott Barlow, DDS MS, both Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics. The practice has been continuously serving the local community for over 50 years and reports having treated tens of thousands of patients across multiple generations of families.

The practice delivers a comprehensive orthodontic service portfolio centered on three core treatment modalities: Invisalign clear aligners, traditional metal braces, and ceramic braces, supplemented by interceptive orthodontic appliances for early childhood treatment (children around ages 7–9) and a sub-specialty craniofacial orthodontics service for patients with cleft lip/palate and other craniofacial birth differences. Clinical operations rely on standard digital orthodontics infrastructure including 3D treatment planning, digital X-rays, and oral imaging. Patient-facing delivery is enabled through physical clinic visits, an online appointment request workflow, and photo-based virtual appointments for exams, retainer checks, and Invisalign check-ups. The practice also maintains affiliations with the UCLA School of Dentistry (where Dr. Gimlen serves as a clinical professor) and the St. John's Hospital Craniofacial Team in Santa Monica.

Gimlen Orthodontics generates revenue through direct-to-consumer orthodontic service fees billed to patients and (where applicable) their dental insurance carriers, with an outsourced professional billing company handling claims. Pricing is one-time per treatment plan, with zero-interest monthly payment plans available up to 18 months and acceptance of HSA/FSA funds. Dr. Gimlen holds the Invisalign Diamond Plus Provider designation, the only such provider in the local area, signaling high Invisalign case volume relative to peers. The practice markets itself primarily through its website, organic social (Facebook, Instagram), and word-of-mouth referrals, and serves patient segments across all ages — from early intervention (~age 5) through adults, including the over-80 cohort.

Name

Gimlen Orthodontics

Legal name

Gimlen Orthodontics

Website

https://gimlenorthodontics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gimlen Orthodontics is a privately held, two-doctor orthodontic clinic in Manhattan Beach and El Segundo, California, offering Invisalign, metal and ceramic braces, interceptive appliances, and craniofacial orthodontic care to patients of all ages in the South Bay LA area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Orthodontic Services

NAICS

Offices of Dentists (6212)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Orthodontic Clinics (HLABABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Clear Aligner Orthodontics (HLABABAD), Cleft & Craniofacial Orthodontics (HLABABAH), Interceptive/Phase I Pediatric Orthodontics (HLABAGAG)

Keywords

• Orthodontic services
• Braces treatment
• Invisalign aligners
• Craniofacial orthodontics
• Early orthodontic care

Headquarters

HQ city

Manhattan Beach, California

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Orthodontic Treatment Services: Provides orthodontic care including consultations, braces (metal, ceramic), clear aligners (Invisalign), expansion appliances, retainers, treatment monitoring, and orthodontic care coordination. Treatment duration varies from 6-24 months with average adult treatment of 6-12 months.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Gimlen Orthodontics provides comprehensive orthodontic treatment services including Invisalign clear aligners, traditional metal and ceramic braces, interceptive orthodontic appliances for children, and craniofacial orthodontic specialty care. The practice serves patients of all ages from age 5 to over 80 across two physical office locations in Manhattan Beach and El Segundo, California, with treatment durations averaging 6-12 months for adults and 6-24 months generally.

Product overview

Gimlen Orthodontics is a specialized orthodontic practice offering a comprehensive range of teeth-straightening treatments. The core product portfolio centers on three primary treatment modalities: Invisalign Clear Aligners (the practice's most utilized method, with the only local Diamond Plus Provider), Traditional Metal Braces (modernized for improved speed and comfort), and Ceramic Braces (discreet option for front teeth). Supporting these core treatments are Interceptive Orthodontic Appliances for early childhood treatment, and Craniofacial Orthodontics for patients with cleft lip and palate. The practice also offers complimentary initial consultations and Virtual Appointments for remote follow-up care. All treatments are provided by two board-certified orthodontists, Dr. Amy Gimlen and Dr. Scott Barlow, at two locations in the South Bay area of Los Angeles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Invisalign Clear Aligners Clear aligner orthodontic treatment system that moves teeth in all three dimensions simultaneously, often faster than traditional braces when worn as prescribed (approximately 22 hours per day). Offered to adults and teens seeking discreet orthodontic treatment.
• Traditional Metal Braces Traditional metal orthodontic brackets modernized over the last 5 years to be faster, more exact, more comfortable, and more aesthetic, with customizable color options for younger patients.
• Ceramic Braces Less noticeable clear brackets used on front teeth combined with metal braces in the back to handle biting forces associated with eating, grinding, and clenching. Provided to patients seeking a more aesthetic option.
• Interceptive Orthodontic Appliances Early orthodontic treatment appliances including lingual arch, w-arch expanders, and retainers designed to guide proper jaw growth and tooth eruption in children around age 8-9. Addresses jaw growth issues, underbite, crowding, and improper tooth eruption.
• Craniofacial Orthodontics Sub-specialty orthodontic treatment for patients with birth differences such as cleft lip and palate, working as part of a multidisciplinary team with speech pathologists, oral surgeons, and craniofacial plastic surgeons to provide comprehensive care.
• Complimentary Initial Consultation Free initial orthodontic exam that includes review of dental and medical history, complete oral exam with X-ray, customized treatment plan creation, and financial information discussion. Available to all prospective patients.
• Virtual Appointments Telehealth orthodontic appointments allowing patients to submit photos for review and meet virtually with Dr. Gimlen or Dr. Barlow to discuss findings. Available for exams, retainer checks, and Invisalign check-ups for patients worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average adult treatment duration: 6-12 months
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UCLA School of DentistrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Gimlen serves as a professor of clinical orthodontics at UCLA, specializing in teaching residents about Cleft Lip and Palate treatment as well as Invisalign techniques. Dr. Barlow earned his Master's degree in Oral Biology and Certificate in Orthodontics at UCLA.
• St. John's Hospital Craniofacial TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Gimlen is a member of the St. John's Hospital craniofacial/cleft palate team at Providence St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica. Treats patients with cleft lip and palate as well as other craniofacial differences as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• SandpipersminorOthersDr. Gimlen is an associate member of Sandpipers, a South Bay philanthropic organization.
• Cleft Lip/Palate Treatment Team (oral surgeons, speech pathologists, craniofacial plastic surgeons)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCraniofacial orthodontics requires a team approach. The team includes speech pathologists, oral surgeons, and craniofacial plastic surgeons who work together to create comprehensive treatment plans for patients with cleft lip, palate, and other craniofacial differences.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Fremont Orthodontics (Dr. Yang's office type practices): Independent orthodontist-run single or dual-location practices offering Invisalign and braces. Comparable as small independent specialty orthodontic competitors serving local California communities.
• Image Orthodontics: Multi-location independent orthodontic practice serving California markets with Invisalign and braces. Comparable as an independent California orthodontic group offering similar treatment modalities and patient financing.
• Beverly Hills Orthodontics: Boutique orthodontic practice in the Los Angeles area offering Invisalign and braces to a similar affluent demographic. Comparable in service mix, target patient profile, and premium positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Smile Doctors: Largest orthodontic-focused DSO in the US with hundreds of affiliated locations. Comparable as a competing orthodontic care provider, but operates at vastly greater scale under a DSO model versus Gimlen's independent single-practice structure.
• Western Dental & Orthodontics: Large multi-specialty DSO offering orthodontics alongside general dentistry across California. Comparable as a direct orthodontic services competitor in the same California market, though operating under a DSO/insurance-driven model rather than independent specialty practice.

Others

• Align Technology: Manufacturer of the Invisalign clear aligner system that is a core treatment modality at Gimlen. Comparable as a critical vendor/platform partner, and as the upstream enabler of the Invisalign Diamond Plus Provider status.
• UCLA School of Dentistry (Orthodontics Residency Program): Academic orthodontic training program where Dr. Gimlen serves as a clinical professor. Comparable as the academic ecosystem and pipeline for board-certified orthodontic talent referenced in the company's talent moat.

Emerging players

• SmileDirectClub (predecessor DTC aligner brands): Direct-to-consumer clear aligner brand that disrupted the orthodontic industry before its wind-down. Comparable as a disruptive competitor targeting price-sensitive adult orthodontic patients, representing the structural threat to traditional practices.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GimlenOrthodontics
• Instagraminstagram.com/gimlenortho
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gimlen-orthodontics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gimlen Orthodontics