Orthodontics

A lot of our patients are curious about the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist. In fact, one of the most common questions we hear at Nettune & Banasiak Orthodontic Associates is, “Dentists and orthodontists are all the same, right?” A general dentist is your primary dental care provider. Dentists diagnose, treat, and manage your overall oral healthcare needs, including gum care, root canals, fillings, crowns, veneers, and bridges. Orthodontists, such as Drs. Roger Nettune and Kenneth Banasiak, are more concerned with diagnosis, prevention, interception, and treatment of malocclusion, or what we call “bad bite,” of the teeth. Orthodontists focus on tooth and jaw alignment and bite problems such as overbites and underbites, and are responsible for straightening teeth […]

Most parents know that routine dental care should begin during their child’s toddler years. And many assume they must wait until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth to visit Drs. Roger Nettune and Kenneth Banasiak for an initial orthodontic consultation. The ideal age for an orthodontic evaluation is age seven. At that age, your child will have a mixture of adult and baby teeth for Drs. Roger Nettune and Kenneth Banasiak and our team at Nettune & Banasiak Orthodontic Associates to make a determination about whether any problems are present. Typically the first molars have come in by the time your child turns seven, giving us an opportunity to check for malocclusion, also known as “bad […]

Fall can be a really enjoyable time of the year for you and your family. The kids are back in school, the leaves are changing, and Halloween approaches. This holiday is a lot of fun for kids, but Nettune & Banasiak Orthodontic Associates wants to remind you it can also be risky, especially for your child’s braces. If you have kids with braces, take a look at the following tips from the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) on how to keep your kids and their teeth safe this Halloween season. Important Safety Tips Trick-or-treating is a favorite Halloween activity for kids everywhere. While it is a great holiday tradition for children, it comes with some potential risks. To keep your […]

In recent years, many links have been established between orthodontic treatments and whole body health. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, researchers have observed that people with gum disease are more likely to develop heart disease or experience difficulty controlling blood sugar than people without gum disease. While researchers continue to find associations between oral health and the overall health of the body, as of yet it hasn’t been determined whether gum disease is the sole cause of these health conditions. What can be determined, however, is that good oral health isn’t just about maintaining a healthy smile; it has an impact on the health of your entire body. The associations between gum disease and whole […]

The purpose of braces and other forms of orthodontic treatment at Nettune & Banasiak Orthodontic Associates is to correct malocclusion, also known as crooked or crowded teeth, or “bad bites.” Past orthodontic practice dictated that wisdom teeth be removed, especially in cases of crowding. The wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come in, and are officially known as the third molars. The teeth typically erupt, or break the surface of the skin, in young people between the ages of 13 and 20. Sometimes, wisdom teeth are impacted. That means they cannot break through the gum tissue. This typically happens when the mouth or jaw is too small to accommodate the teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth can become infected, and some […]

If you have been thinking about undergoing orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth or correct jaw alignment, the first step is scheduling an orthodontic consultation at Nettune & Banasiak Orthodontic Associates. During the consultation we will actively listen to your concerns and address all of your questions, as well as discuss a treatment options that would best suit you or your child’s situation. Here are the top five questions that most patients want answered during their initial orthodontic consultation: Can I benefit from orthodontic treatment, and if so, how long will it take? How frequently will my appointments be scheduled? Can I expect any pain when getting braces? (Ask Drs. Roger Nettune and Kenneth Banasiak about the ways we address pain […]