Dr. Dr. Christopher J. Edelen DMD, MS

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Get to know Orthodontist Dr. Christopher J. Edelen, who serves patients in Louisville, Kentucky.

A Louisville native, Dr. Edelen joined the orthodontic practice of Dr. William Selden in July of 1985 and served as a junior partner for 5 years until Dr. Selden’s retirement in 1990. 

Seeing patients of all ages, Dr. Edelen and his staff are dedicated to providing the best quality in orthodontic treatment. Their ultimate goal is clinical excellence in both function and esthetics.   Using a precise mix of cutting-edge technology and time-proven methods, they will work to give each patient a smile they can be proud of.

“We know what a significant difference in health and self-esteem a beautiful smile can make, however, treatment results are only one part of the success of a practice. Patient care is a very important part of our success as well. Orthodontic treatment occurs over many years and we realize the importance of choosing an office that sincerely cares for you as a person and strives to provide the highest quality care, while taking the time to get to know you on a personal basis” as stated on their website.

Back in 1979, Dr. Edelen graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Notre Dame 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 Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry Degree 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 then completed his 2 year residency in Orthodontics at the University of Louisville and graduated in 1985.

Soon after his graduation, Dr. Edelen was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Louisville. 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. 

In 1992, Dr. Edelen was promoted to Clinical Associate Professor and taught in the orthodontic department for 35 years. A few years earlier, in 1988, he 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.

Among his professional affiliations, Dr. Edelen is a member of the Louisville Dental Society, the Kentucky Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the Southern Association of Orthodontists, the American Association of Orthodontists, and the Kentucky Association of Orthodontists (having served on the Executive Board from 1997 to 2002, culminating as their President in 2002).

Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of malpositioned teeth and jaws. Orthodontists are responsible for identifying problems with the positioning of a patient’s teeth and with their oral development. They utilize the most advanced procedures and equipment available to ensure that every patient achieves a healthy and beautiful smile. 

During his distinguished career, Dr. Edelen has been placed on the Consumer Research Council of America’s “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, Dr. Edelen was also named to the National Consumer Advisory Board’s “America’s Best Dentist” listing, another peer reviewed and colleague chosen honor. In November of 2018, he was named the Distinguished Alumni of the Year at the University of Louisville, Department of Orthodontics. That honor had been bestowed only 3 times in the history of the program. 

As of 2021, Dr. Edelen has helped train 200 orthodontic residents who have gone on to successful careers all across America and in several foreign countries.

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