Louisville & Radcliff Braces, Invisalign, TMJ & Airway
Orthodontics, Airway & Beyond
Orthodontic technology is continuously advancing, and Dr. Knight is dedicated to providing the most current treatments available.
At Knight Orthodontics, you and your family will find a variety of the latest braces options to reach your new smile quickly and affordably, tailored to your unique smile goals.
We also offer specialized treatments for TMJ, sleep apnea, and respiratory issues, including orthognathic surgery, Buteyko breathing techniques, and solutions for sleep apnea and snoring prevention.
Airway & Bite Alignment
Sometimes, our patients in Louisville and Radcliff need more than traditional orthodontic interventions. Dr. Knight specializes in correcting jaw alignment, TMJ issues, and airway obstructions.
Invisalign
Invisalign from Knight Orthodontics fits clearly, conveniently, and comfortably into your lifestyle.
Metal Braces
These high-tech metal braces are more comfortable, lightweight, and produce amazing results more quickly than ever before.
Clear Braces
Clear braces are less noticeable, more comfortable, and more efficient than traditional braces.
Ortho for All Ages
Everyone — old, young, and in-between — deserves a lifetime of smiles.
The Three Levels of Orthodontics
Giving Your Family Comprehensive Care
Orthodontics can undoubtedly get you a beautiful smile. However, our philosophy of care deals with more than just how you look.
At Knight Orthodontics, Dr. Knight adheres to the FACE™ (Functional and Cosmetic Excellence) treatment philosophy. We describe it as a “comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to treating the entire system with emphasis placed on the face.”
This means that Dr. Knight embraces three levels of orthodontics to help you restore health and function to your brilliant new smile.
The FACE™ philosophy encourages the blending of modern orthodontic care and comprehensive dentistry. Doctors who practice this approach believe the field of orthodontics exists in harmony with whole-body health.
Level 1 Orthodontics
The first level of orthodontic treatment is aesthetics (appearance). When you hear us say “aesthetics,” think of orthodontic treatment that straightens teeth. Level one orthodontics provides the most straightforward way to beautify your smile.
Examples of level one treatment include:
- Traditional metal braces
- Clear or ceramic braces
- Invisalign®
Note, however, that level-one orthodontic treatment alone does not address the functional (how it works) and skeletal issues that you might experience.
The way to truly invest in your new smile is to protect it. You can do this by making sure you maintain healthy function, which introduces the next level of orthodontics.
Level 2 Orthodontics
The second level of orthodontic treatment includes aesthetics and bite alignment (how your teeth line up). Occlusion, or the way your teeth fit together, is vital to the health of your smile. Your upper and lower teeth should fit together to minimize wear and tear.
When your teeth fit together correctly, your bite becomes stable. Correct occlusion also results in less tooth erosion, less mobility, less tooth grinding, and reduced related issues such as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder), gum recession, and bone resorption.
Level 3 Orthodontics
The third and final level of orthodontic treatment includes aesthetics, bite alignment, and jaw alignment.
This comprehensive approach assesses all oral (mouth) and maxillofacial (diseases or injuries to your jaw, mouth, or face) structures. These include your airway, facial muscles, and jaw joints.
At Knight Orthodontics, level three orthodontics can treat problems with your TMJ, as well as sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring.
Level three orthodontics can also solve issues with the overall aesthetics and function of your smile, especially as these issues relate to the vertical relationship of your teeth.
For example, sometimes your teeth may be hidden under your lip when you smile. Other times, your smile may show too much gum tissue — what’s called a “gummy smile.” Both of these can be caused by tooth position and can be corrected with level three orthodontics.
Problems With Your Skeletal Structures
Skeletal discrepancies can change the structure of your face.
For instance:
- What if your upper or lower jaw is too far forward?
- What if it’s too far back?
- What happens when your bite isn’t level?
- How about crossbites or open bites?
Dr. Knight can address some of these issues with traditional orthodontic treatment alone. In some cases, however, your condition may indicate that orthognathic surgery — which focuses on your jaw bones — will provide the best corrective treatment.
For long-term, predictable treatment, Dr. Knight recommends the three levels of orthodontics as his standard of care. Successful treatment should give you a beautiful smile and restore your health and function so you can optimize your quality of life.