An orthodontist is a dentist who furthers his education by attending a 2 or 3 year residency program in orthodontics at an ADA accredited dental school or hospital. Your orthodontist is able to straighten teeth, correct misaligned jaw structure, and improve the function of your smile. Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.
An attractive smile and improved self-image are just a few of the benefits of orthodontic treatment. Alleviating and preventing physical health problems is just as important. Without treatment, orthodontic problems can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, bone destruction, chewing and digestive difficulties, speech impairments, tooth loss and other dental injuries.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child be evaluated by age seven. Early detection of some orthodontic problems is important in order to take interceptive corrective action and avoid more difficult treatment later. Most patients, however, are treated during adolescence between the ages of 11-15.
The amount of time spent in braces can vary depending on the individual patient. Treatment may take between 9 to 30 months or longer, depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the problem, the patients cooperation, and the degree of movement possible. Treatment time obviously depends on each patients specific orthodontic problem.
Removing teeth is sometimes needed to get the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are always the goal. However, we are very conservative when it comes to requesting that teeth be extracted. Todays technology has resulted in advanced orthodontic procedures, which have greatly reduced the need for removing teeth.
Most orthodontic patients experience some discomfort the first week after their braces are put on. After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days This results from the teeth moving through the bone to their new position. Pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen will ease the discomfort. Advances in technology have provided much gentler forces, which greatly reduce soreness.
Patients should brush their teeth at least three times each day: after breakfast, lunch (or as soon as they get home from school), and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss their teeth with braces on and will provide a prescription for a special fluoride toothpaste to help protect the enamel against decalcification and decay.
Yes! In fact, its even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit their dentist regularly. With braces, food may be caught in places that your toothbrush cant reach. This causes bacteria to build up and can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. Your dentist will work closely with your orthodontist to make sure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while wearing braces.
Phase One treatment is usually initiated for children between the ages of 7 and 10 and typically takes about 12-16 months. Objectives of Phase One treatment include the development of space to accommodate all of the permanent teeth, correcting the skeletal relationship (overbite, underbite, crossbite, openbite,etc.) between the upper and lower jaw, and to improve a childs psychological self-image and self-esteem, both very important during their formative years.
It is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after Phase One treatment. The period following Phase One treatment is called the resting period, during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.
A retainer is a device worn full or part-time after braces have been removed. The retainer is designed to prevent your teeth from drifting or moving while the bone around your teeth hardens and stabilizes. The longer you wear your retainer, the better your chances that you teeth will not relapse. Retainers provide assurance that your teeth will stay in favorable alignment while your jaw continues to grow or develop.
Dr. Edelen graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1979 after completing four years of study in their Department of Preprofessional Studies. He then returned home to study dentistry at the University of Louisville where he was elected into several honor societies for various academic and clinical achievements. He is a member of the Delphi, Phi Delta, Beta Delta, and Phi Kappa Phi honor fraternities. He graduated with honors in 1983 with a Doctorate in Dental Medicine and a Master of Science degree in Oral Biology. Upon graduation he was awarded the L.D. Pankey Scholarship Award for continued studies of dental occlusion at the Pankey Institute in Key Biscayne, Florida. He completed his 2 year residency in Orthodontics at the University of Louisville and graduated in 1985.
Soon after his graduation, he was appointed an Assistant Professor at the University of Louisville in the Department of Orthodontics. His research works have been published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. In 1988 he was awarded the prestigious Harold Kesling Award for orthodontic achievement as a junior faculty member, a national award given annually to a single recipient who demonstrates excellence in academic and clinical teachings. He was promoted to Clinical Associate Professor in 1992 and taught in the orthodontic department for 35 years. In 1988 Dr. Edelen was appointed to the Kentucky Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs and served as their Orthodontic Consultant for the Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Anomaly Team for 32 years.
Dr. Edelen is a member of the Louisville Dental Society, the Kentucky Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. He is also a member of the Kentucky Association of Orthodontists, the Southern Association of Orthodontists, and the American Association of Orthodontists. He has served on the Executive Board for the Kentucky Association of Orthodontists from 1997 to 2002 culminating as their President in 2002.
During his distinguished career, he has been placed on the Consumer Research Council of Americas Best of America list of top orthodontists in the United States. He was chosen by his peers as a top orthodontist in the inaugural listings of both the Louisville Magazine and the Kentucky Monthly magazine in 2011. He continues to be elected to those positions each and every year. In 2021, he was also named to the National Consumer Advisory Boards Americas Best Dentist listing, another peer reviewed and colleague chosen honor. In November of 2018, Dr. Edelen was named the Distinguished Alumni of the Year at the University of Louisville, Department of Orthodontics. That honor has been bestowed only 3 times in the history of the program. As of 2021, he has helped train 200 orthodontic residents who have gone on to successful careers all across America and in several foreign countries.
Dr. Edelen is a member of the Kentucky chapter of Smiles Change Lives, which is a non-profit organization that offers free orthodontic treatment to underprivileged children and teens. Each year our office provides free care to those in need.
