Blog Archive - 2015

Although teeth seem to be solidly fixed in their sockets (at least they don’t wobble when we chew!), all teeth can easily be moved if Drs. Roger Nettune and Kenneth Banasiak and our staff attach brackets and wires to them called braces. In the past, all braces were made of stainless steel, but today’s advanced dental technology gives people the option of wearing transparent, acrylic mouth trays called Invisalign^®, or relying on traditional metal braces for correcting malocclusions. Brackets, Slots, and Arch Wires – Oh My! When light pressure is consistently exerted on teeth, they will gradually move in the direction of the force. For example, affixing brackets to front teeth and threading a flexible, metal wire through tiny slots […]

It’s no easy feat to have one of the best smiles in Hollywood. The reality TV starlet Kristin Cavallari attributes her gorgeous smile to routine oral hygiene, the removal of two impacted wisdom teeth, and having undergone orthodontic treatment. Kristin’s treatment began in sixth grade when she was fitted with a device Drs. Roger Nettune and Kenneth Banasiak and our team call a palatal expander, which is used to guide upper jaw growth in our younger patients. What is a palatal expander? A palatal expander “expands” (or widens) your upper jaw by applying gentle pressure on your upper molars, and is used to make the bottom and upper teeth fit together better. In addition, palatal expanders work to create more […]

Orthognathic surgery is surgery to correct a wide variety of abnormalities of our patients’ jaw and teeth. The surgery is often done in conjunction with orthodontic treatment. While the patient’s appearance may be significantly improved as a result, the primary purpose of the surgery is to correct functional problems including but not limited to: Unbalanced facial appearance Protruding jaw Open bite (upper and lower teeth don’t overlap properly Excessive wearing down of the teeth Difficulty with chewing or biting Chronic mouth breathing Sleeping problems such as sleep apnea TMJ pain (jaw joint pain) Restoring facial injuries Knowing when to start the orthodontic treatment in preparation for orthognathic surgery can also be tricky if our team at Nettune & Banasiak Orthodontic […]

Millions of people, around Basking Ridge or Mendham, NJ and beyond, wear green on St. Patrick’s Day so they can show their spirit for the holiday and avoid getting pinched. While it may be easy for you to throw on a green shirt, sport a St. Patrick’s Day button, or wear a pair of emerald-hued shoes, if you’re an avid St. Patty’s Day enthusiast you may want to try something different this year. Drs. Roger Nettune and Kenneth Banasiak thought of a few ideas that will help you take your holiday spirit to the next level: Visit Chicago’s Green River If you happen to be near the Windy City during St. Patrick’s Day or you’re thinking of planning a trip, […]

You may have noticed that kids seem to be getting braces and other orthodontic care a lot earlier these days. There was a time, only a decade or two ago, when braces were mainly seen on teenagers, but that is beginning to change. If you’re wondering when to bring your child to our Basking Ridge or Mendham, NJ office for an orthodontic evaluation, the answer actually has several parts. The Telltale Signs If your child has a very crowded set of adult teeth coming in, or if the permanent front teeth came in very early, these are signs that your child should see Drs. Roger Nettune and Kenneth Banasiak, regardless of age. The Dental Age Barring signs of trouble or […]

The stereotypical braces wearer – in middle school, with a mouth full of metal brackets – has led to numerous myths about orthodontics that discourage many people from getting the dental care they need. Drs. Roger Nettune and Kenneth Banasiak and our staff would like to put some of these myths to rest. Myth 1: Orthodontic treatment is for kids. Although teenagers often visit the orthodontist to get braces, adults represent a growing proportion of orthodontic patients. Whether you’re eight or 80, a consultation with an orthodontist can identify problems with your teeth, jaws, or bite that can be corrected by orthodontic interventions. Myth 2: Traditional, metal braces are my only option. Advances in orthodontic technology have rendered improved braces […]