Board Certified Orthodontist Kenneth Banasiak, DMD

Meet Dr. Banasiak

Dr. Kenneth Banasiak is proud to practice orthodontics in the Somerset and Morris County areas where he is a resident and community member. He has had the wonderful opportunity to treat a wide variety of patients, ranging from age 6 to 75. Dr. Banasiak enjoys all aspects of the orthodontic profession, but he especially enjoys getting to know our patients and their families, and the satisfaction that comes with each beautiful smile at the end of each orthodontic treatment.

Dr. Banasiak’s passion is to develop new techniques and use innovative technology to make our patients’ treatment quicker, more aesthetic, and as comfortable as possible. He transitioned our practice to 3D digital technology, and we are currently the only practice using i-Cat CBCT, the iTero™ intraoral scanner, and the JUELL™ 3D printer. Dr. Banasiak integrates these advances to ensure more precise and effective care for our patients.

Top Dentist2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023

Orthodontic Education

Dr. Banasiak is a Board-Certified Orthodontist, and he attended high school at Seton Hall Prep. He went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Rutgers University. Subsequently, he earned his degree from University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey (UMDNJ) where he graduated first in his class and was accepted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), the National Dental Honor Society. Dr. Banasiak was also honored to receive the prestigious OKU Dr. William S. Kramer Award of Excellence among many other awards and scholarships. While in dental school, he enrolled in the honors program in orthodontics, which is limited to one student per dental school class.

Dr. Banasiak continued his postgraduate studies at Tufts University in Boston, MA where he completed his residency in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. While at Tufts, he once again served as president of the class. Dr. Banasiak has had the opportunity to publish numerous papers and present his findings at national conferences.

Dr. Banasiak works closely with orthodontists who served on the Alpha Advisory Board of Invisalign®, and he has gained extensive knowledge in clear aligner treatment. He is a member of the staff at Morristown Memorial Hospital where he teaches dental residents orthodontic theory and practice. As a member of the craniofacial team at Morristown Memorial Hospital, Dr. Banasiak also treats children with birth defects of the face and skull, including cleft lip and palate. The group of extensively trained physicians includes oral surgeons, pediatric dentists, plastic surgeons, and other specialists tasked with helping kids who have facial and developmental anomalies. Furthermore, Dr. Banasiak serves as a specialist advisor to the Morris Seminars Study Club.

What Is an Orthodontist?

Orthodontists undergo extensive specialized training in teeth and jaw development to provide the best care possible. After completing their dental degree, orthodontists go on to receive at least two more years of training in an American Dental Association-approved orthodontic educational program. Both dentists and orthodontists help patients enhance and maintain their oral health; however, only an orthodontist focuses on correcting the bite, occlusion (alignment), and straightness of the teeth. In most cases, a dentist will refer a patient to an orthodontist when he or she detects an overbite, underbite, crowded teeth, or misaligned teeth. Additionally, many orthodontists can address TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder and other conditions affecting the jaw.

Continuing Education

Dr. Banasiak is genuinely concerned about the wellbeing of each one of our patients, and he is committed to providing patients with individualized care and attention, ensuring a comfortable environment, and wonderful results. He regularly participates in continuing education as a way to stay current with the latest trends and techniques in dentistry and orthodontist. Dr. Banasiak is a member of several professional organizations, providing opportunities for continuing education.

Memberships

American Association of OrthodontistsOn this site, you can learn about orthodontists—specialists in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The correction of tooth and jaw alignment results in a healthy, attractive smile that’s good for life.
www.braces.org
Diplomate American Board of OrthodonticsThe mission of The American Board of Orthodontics is to establish and maintain the highest standards of clinical excellence in orthodontics.
www.americanboardortho.com
American Dental AssociationThe ADA is the professional association of dentists committed to the public’s oral health, ethics, science and professional advancement.
www.ada.org

Achievements

  • Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) – National Dental Honor Society
  • President of the Class – Tufts University
  • Instructor at Morristown Memorial Hospital – Orthodontic Theory and Practice
  • Specialist Advisor – Morris Seminars Study Club

Awards

  • William S. Kramer Award of Excellence – University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey (UMDNJ)
  • Top Dentist – 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 – New Jersey Monthly

Why Choose a Board-Certified Orthodontist?

Orthodontics is a complex field that considers oral structure growth and development within the framework of the entire face. It’s about straightening teeth, but it’s also about much more than that. A board-certified orthodontist is not only extensively trained in the field, he or she has gone beyond the four years of dental school, beyond the two years of orthodontic residency, and completed a written exam, clinical exam, and peer review to become certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. To maintain certification, an orthodontist must complete continuing education courses and remain well-informed about the latest techniques and technology in the industry. Board-certified orthodontists have demonstrated their dedication to delivering the highest-quality orthodontic care for each patient they see.

What Distinguishes Dr. Banasiak from Other New Jersey Orthodontists?

In addition to being a board-certified orthodontist with extensive training, Dr. Banasiak has received numerous awards and honors, including being named “Top Dentist” by New Jersey Monthly Magazine over a dozen times since 2010. He is proud to be a member of the community he serves, and he utilizes the highest-quality American-made materials available. Patients are our number one priority at Banasiak & Nettune, and Dr. Banasiak emphasizes a compassionate and family-friendly approach that makes visiting the orthodontist a stress-free experience for kids, teens, and adults alike.

Smiles in His Spare Time

Volunteer and charity work are important parts of Dr. Banasiak’s life. He and the practice dedicate hundreds of hours to supporting the community, including helping out where patients need care the most. We like to think that no one supports our community and schools more than Dr. Banasiak and his team. From Dental Health Month to local sports team sponsorships, Dr. Banasiak believes in investing in his neighborhood, family, and friends. Support the doctor that supports you!

Outside of the practice, Dr. Banasiak is an avid sports fan. He enjoys playing softball, golfing, and snowboarding. He can often be spotted at one of the Rutgers sports complexes cheering on the teams! Dr. Banasiak looks forward to working with you and your family, and sharing the wonderful experience of orthodontic treatment and a beautiful new smile.

How to Select the Best Orthodontist for You

You’re about to begin a long-term relationship with an orthodontist, so you’ll want to find someone whom you trust. We recommend reviewing any potential orthodontist’s educational background. Additionally, choosing a board-certified orthodontist provides a measure of certainty about the skills and experience a doctor has. Board certification requires an orthodontist to complete extensive training, go through a rigorous evaluation, and maintain standards of ethical behavior. They are also required to perform continuing education courses to deliver the safest and most effective care. Beyond confirming an orthodontist’s professional history, we also advise patients to schedule an in-person consultation to ask questions and get to know the person they will be seeing regularly.

Questions to Ask Your Orthodontist

The initial consultation is one of the most important meetings you will have with your orthodontist. This is the perfect time to ask plenty of questions and get a better feel for your doctor’s demeanor and practice philosophy. We recommend asking the following questions to help gauge whether he or she will be a good fit:

  1. Do you perform orthodontics only, or do you also offer general dental services? (Trained orthodontists may only provide treatment within their specialty.)
  2. Are you certified by the American Board of Orthodontics?
  3. What treatment plan do you recommend for my concerns, and how long do you anticipate the process will take?
  4. Are there any alternatives I should consider? What could happen if I do not receive treatment?
  5. How much will my treatment cost and what goes into the pricing?
  6. Do you provide patient references or have a before-and-after gallery?

These questions can help get you started, but you should also feel comfortable asking questions that arise during your evaluation and meeting. It is our goal to make you feel at ease and provide what you need to make an informed decision about your care, and we believe the first consultation is the perfect opportunity to begin.

We had a great new patient visit with Dr Banasiak. The office staff was friendly, patient and very welcoming. Dr Banasiak was informative, thorough and had a great personality. We look forward to future appointments with Dr Banasiak — thanks for a great experience!

christine p

November 17, 2021

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Q&A with Dr. Banasiak

Why did you decide to become an orthodontist?

I did really well in school. They always put me in math and science advanced courses, so I feel like my whole life has been geared towards something in healthcare. When I got into dental school, in between my first and second year, I got selected to do research and they put me in the orthodontic clinic. I was doing work with the residents there and some of the instructors, and that’s where I really found that it was for me.

I wasn’t one of those kids that went in and said, “I’m going to be an orthodontist one day.” I didn’t know. I just wanted to have the option to do anything because I did really well in school to keep my options open. Then, once I worked with them in the clinic, that’s when.

Are there any particular moments in your career that stand out for you?

We’ve been getting this New Jersey’s Best Dentist for 14 or 15 years in a row now. That’s pretty cool because I think it’s voted on by our peers. I think that’s a cool accolade that comes from other professionals. [I also] just got re-certified with the board. Not everyone is board-certified.

What do you feel are some of the most significant breakthroughs in orthodontics and what do you look forward to in the future?

I think CBCT [cone beam computed tomography] has changed things. We’re now more involved with the airway and breathing than we ever have been. We’ve realized that we really contribute to the airway and [to] having people breathe and sleep better. Technology is always improving and allowing us to get better, more accurate, and more efficient. That’s why we don’t rest on our laurels and keep doing things the same. If there’s something new and better, we’re going to try it here. If it’s better for our patients, we’re going to use it.

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