Chilren’s Orthodontics Services
At Hometown Dental we specialize in providing exceptional orthodontic care for children.
We understand that early intervention is crucial in addressing orthodontic issues to ensure proper dental development and a healthy, beautiful smile.
Our dedicated team, led by Drs. Knuth and Funke, is experienced in diagnosing and treating a range of common orthodontic problems in children as well as adults.
We offer personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s specific needs. We address a wide range of orthodontic problems.
Consultation
For more info on pediatric orthodontics, contact us for a free assessment.
Quality Treatment
Hometown Dental Co is an experienced provider orthodontics for children.

Benefits of Orthodontics
The following list includes some of the benefits you will experience as a result of orthodontic treatment:
- Increase self-esteem by improving your appearance. Straight teeth increase smiling… and smiling makes you healthier and more confident – and even improves your outlook on the world.
- Decrease the likelihood that you will develop gum disease or lose teeth prematurely by relieving stress on gums and bones — an inevitable result when teeth do not align properly.
- Eliminate possible speech problems caused by misaligned teeth.
- Help reduce and treat jaw pain or TMJ.
- Decrease the possibility of decay in crowded, overlapping teeth – places where food could be trapped.
- Allow the jawbone to develop properly, possibly resulting in less of a need to extract adult teeth.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ABOUT POWERPROX SIX MONTH BRACES
Q. Can orthodontic treatment be done in 6 months?
A: The Powerprox Six Month Braces® Technique utilizes the latest technology combined with time-tested orthodontic techniques to move your teeth quickly and safely.
Q. Does the Powerprox Six Month Braces® Technique use high forces to move the teeth?
A: No. Actually the Powerprox Six Month Braces® Technique is a low-force technique. Many people think we just “tighten” the braces like crazy to get the teeth moving. This would actually slow down tooth movement.
Q. Does the Powerprox Six Month Braces® Technique damage the teeth, roots, or gums in any way?
A: No, the causes for the above complications are individual biology and high forces over a long period of time.The Powerprox Six Month Braces® Technique uses low force with a short treatment duration to safely move the teeth.
Q. Are Powerprox Six Month Braces® more painful than regular braces?
A: No, the Powerprox Six Month Braces® Technique uses low forces to move the teeth not high forces that can cause pain.
Q. Does the Powerprox Six Month Braces® Technique cost more than regular braces?
A: No. Actually, since there are fewer visits, the Powerprox Six Month Braces® Technique is less expensive than Dr. Knuth’s regular braces.
Get directions
1113 Indianapolis Road
Greencastle, IN 46135
Low-Profile Modern Orthodontics
Maybe you already knew you needed braces, and what’s really stopping you is the idea of spending a year or so as a “brace-face.” Don’t be discouraged!
There are several ways to get orthodontic treatment without everyone noticing your appliance, such as Invisalign. No one needs to know that you’re on your way to a straighter smile if you don’t want them to!
6 Month Smiles
The Powerprox Six Month Braces® Technique is a fast, affordable way to give you the smile you always wanted in just six months – that’s right, six months!
The Powerprox Six Month Braces® Technique will move your front teeth to their most beautiful position, giving you a great smile – whether your teeth are crowded together, overlapped, or have spaces between them.
Adult Orthodontics
Stopping bad habits and maintaining good ones is important, but it won’t reverse dental shifting that has already taken place, and that’s where adult orthodontic treatment comes in.
While it’s true that our teeth can be guided into place more easily when we are younger, they will still respond to orthodontic appliances.
SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS
CHILD AND PEDIATRIC ORTHODONTICS
Crossbite
A crossbite of the front teeth occurs when the upper front teeth sit behind the lower front teeth. This misalignment can lead to uneven wear, jaw misalignment, and potential aesthetic concerns.
We utilize advanced orthodontic techniques to correct the crossbite, helping children achieve a harmonious and functional bite.
Crossbite of the back teeth refers to a situation where the upper teeth close inside the lower teeth instead of outside. It can cause discomfort, difficulty in chewing, and potential jaw problems.
Our skilled orthodontic team will create a treatment plan that addresses the underlying causes and guides the back teeth into the proper position, resulting in improved function and alignment.
Spacing
Spacing issues occur when there are gaps or spaces between teeth. This can be due to missing teeth, small teeth, or a discrepancy in jaw size.
We offer various orthodontic solutions, such as braces or aligners, to close the gaps and create a beautiful, well-aligned smile.
Shift
Our teeth naturally move and shift throughout our lives — including in ways we’d prefer they didn’t. In a process called mesial drift, our teeth slowly move towards the front of our mouths as we age. Other factors, including enamel loss, teeth grinding, and tooth loss, can move our teeth out of alignment too. The result is an increasingly crooked, overcrowded smile that is harder to keep healthy.
Crowding
Crowding occurs when there is insufficient space in the mouth for the teeth to align properly. This can lead to overlapping or rotated teeth.
Our orthodontic treatments, such as braces or clear aligners, aim to create the necessary space and guide the teeth into their ideal positions, allowing for a well-aligned, balanced smile.
Deep Bite
A deep bite occurs when the upper front teeth excessively cover the lower front teeth. This can cause wear on the teeth and discomfort in the jaw joints.
Our orthodontic treatments aim to adjust the bite relationship, improve dental function, and create an aesthetically pleasing smile.
Oral Habits
Harmful oral habits, such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or prolonged pacifier use, can lead to dental misalignment and skeletal changes.
Our orthodontic specialists will assess the impact of these habits on your child’s dental development and provide guidance, intervention, and orthodontic treatment if necessary.
Oral hygiene
Good oral hygiene is also important for keeping your teeth where they should be, because it helps reduce enamel loss over time. So keep up with that daily flossing and twice daily brushing, and don’t forget about your regular dental appointments!
Open Bite
An open bite is characterized by a gap between the upper and lower front teeth when the back teeth are closed together. This can impact speech, chewing, and overall dental function.
Our orthodontic experts will evaluate the underlying causes and recommend appropriate treatment options to correct the open bite and restore proper alignment.
Underbite
An underbite is characterized by the lower front teeth protruding ahead of the upper front teeth. It can cause difficulties in biting, speaking, and proper dental development.
Our orthodontic team will design a customized treatment plan to correct the underbite and help achieve a functional and aligned bite.
Protrusion
Protruding front teeth can be aesthetically concerning and increase the risk of dental trauma.
We offer effective solutions to address this issue, including braces or other orthodontic appliances that gently guide the teeth into a more favorable position, resulting in a balanced, harmonious smile.
Daily Habits
Some of the things we do every day without even thinking about it can contribute to our teeth shifting over time.
Sleeping on your stomach and resting your head on your hands when sitting can both be culprits of dental shifting, but good posture and side or back sleeping will minimize this effect.

Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Everyone’s teeth are different, and so is their orthodontic treatment. We’re sure you still have many questions about what your treatment would involve, how long it would take, and, of course, the cost.
We’d be happy to answer any questions you have about adult braces, so just give us a call or stop by! We look forward to welcoming you to our dental practice.

Meet THE DENTISTS

DR. DENNIS KNUTH
PARTNER
I am proud to serve patients in our community. Through continuing education and state-of-the-art equipment, we are able to offer you and your family the high level of care you’re looking for. My team at Hometown Dental and I will give you a warm welcome and our ongoing commitment to your dental health.
I am very passionate about dentistry. I strive to do for you what I would do for any of my friends or family; always giving you the care you deserve.
I feel fortunate to have graduated from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry, where I received an outstanding dental education from some of the best mentors in the nation. Prior to dental school, I earned a degree in electrical engineering and worked for 6 years in the electronics industry in Cincinnati.

DR. TESS FUNKE
PARTNER
Dr. Funke is excited to have joined the Greencastle Hometown Dental team. She moved back to her home state, Indiana, from Arkansas after completing a one-year advanced training program.
Dr. Funke attended the University of Louisville for dental school, where she was involved in student leadership and served on a mission trip in Jamaica to provide dental care. Dr. Funke is a proud Boilermaker alumnus!
When Dr. Funke isn’t with patients, you might find her with her partner in crime, Adam, or other members of her large family. (Her mom has seven siblings, and her dad has five!) She loves curling up with a good book (shout out to any other Harry Potter fans), staying healthy through fitness, and exploring new cities.