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Braces in Fresno and Clovis, CA
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Braces in Clovis, CA

A Straight Smile is a Healthy Smile

Children, teens, and adults can all benefit from braces, which is one of our most popular treatments at Nalchajian Orthodontics. Braces address many orthodontic issues and help you achieve a straighter, more confident smile.

Dr. Greg Nalchajian and Dr. Nicole Nalchajian offer a variety of orthodontic treatments to address your dental needs. During your first visit, we will talk about your goals for treatment and create a custom care plan. Contact our office in Clovis, CA, today to see if braces are right for you or your child.

How Do Braces Work?

By putting pressure on the teeth, brackets and wires move teeth into their correct positions, resulting in a straight smile. As teeth shift to accommodate the force being placed on them, braces will need to be adjusted to continue placing new pressure on the teeth until the final results are achieved.

The brackets are bonded to the tooth and connected to the horseshoe-shaped arch wire. This wire runs across the entire upper and/or lower arch and through each bracket. Ligature elastics fit around each bracket and hold the arch wire in place.

Thanks to advancements in orthodontic technology, braces are more comfortable and customizable today than ever before. Many patients wear braces to straighten teeth because of their versatility, affordability, and effectiveness.

What to Expect at Braces Appointments

After your orthodontist puts your braces on, you will return to our office about every 4 to 8 weeks for a checkup. During these checkup visits, we will tighten your braces and make sure your treatment is going according to plan. It is not uncommon to experience a minimal degree of discomfort after a braces adjustment. Many patients forget they’re even wearing braces after they get used to the way they feel in their mouth.

Ligature elastics that fit around the brackets come in a variety of colors. During each adjustment appointment, you can change the color of your elastics to customize the look of your braces.

Types of Braces

At Nalchajian Orthodontics, we offer several types of braces to choose from. Dr. Greg and Dr. Nicole will go over your options with you and help you choose the right type of braces for your treatment.

  • Traditional metal braces are metal brackets made out of stainless steel and are bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth.
  • Ceramic braces are made out of a tooth-colored material. Because they closely resemble the color of teeth, they are a popular choice for patients who want their braces to be less noticeable. They often require extra care to keep clean and are often only placed on the upper front teeth.

Life With Braces

Braces in Fresno and Clovis, CA

By making a few small adjustments to your day-to-day routine, you can ensure that your new appliances feel comfortable, stay clean, and create a smile that shines for years to come!

Eating With Braces 

You can enjoy many of your favorite snacks with braces. However, you should avoid certain foods that could damage your appliances.

Foods to Avoid with Braces

  • Bagels
  • Licorice
  • Beef jerky
  • Popcorn
  • Chips
  • Ice
  • Caramel
  • Chewing gum
  • Nuts
  • Hard candies
  • Corn on the cob
  • Whole apples
  • Carrots

Foods You Can Eat with Braces

  • Soft cheese
  • Pudding
  • Milk-based drinks
  • Soft tortillas
  • Pancakes
  • Nut-free muffins
  • Pasta
  • Soft-cooked rice
  • Soft-cooked chicken
  • Meatballs
  • Lunch meats
  • Tuna
  • Salmon
  • Crab cakes
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Steamed vegetables
  • Beans
  • Applesauce
  • Bananas
  • Nut-free ice cream
  • Milkshakes
  • Jell-O®
  • Soft cake

Soreness From Braces and Appliances

If your mouth feels sore after your braces are tightened, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen. Soreness will only last a few days. After we put your braces on, it may take a few weeks to get used to the way they feel. The brackets and wires may irritate your lips, cheeks, and tongue, but you can apply orthodontic wax to reduce tenderness.

If your teeth feel loose, this is a normal and necessary part of tooth movement. After your braces are taken off, your teeth will no longer feel loose.

Loose Wires and Bands

If wires or bands become loose, give our office a call so we can repair your braces if necessary. In the meantime, you can use the back of a spoon or a pencil eraser to push the wire back into position. You can also place dental wax or a cotton ball soaked in water over the bracket or wire that is causing irritation. If any part of your braces breaks or falls off, be sure to bring all the pieces with you to your appointment.

Caring for Your Appliances

Follow your orthodontist’s instructions on how to care for your oral appliances. Dr. Greg or Dr. Nicole will instruct you on how to use and clean your bands, retainer, or other devices.

Playing Sports With Braces

We recommend wearing a mouth guard when playing sports. Mouth guards protect your teeth and your braces from damage. If you notice a broken or loose bracket or wire while playing sports or any other activity, contact our office as soon as you can.

Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene

Practicing good oral hygiene habits is essential while wearing braces. If plaque builds up around your brackets, decalcification can occur, which results in stains on your teeth. Be sure to brush your teeth and clean your appliances as directed to have a straight and healthy smile at the end of your treatment.

Braces in Clovis, CA

If you think it’s time for you or your child to start wearing braces, we invite you to give our office a call. Having a straight smile will promote positive long-term oral health and help you or your child feel confident about having beautifully aligned teeth. Contact Nalchajian Orthodontics in Clovis, CA, today to schedule a consultation. Dr. Greg and Dr. Nicole will design a personalized treatment plan based on your or your child’s orthodontic needs.

Hear From Braces Patients

These patients can tell you about their firsthand experience undergoing braces at our office.

Reviews From Our Braces Patients

Moe Braces facewall
Moe Reviews His Braces Procedure

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"My name is Moe from Fresno, and I got my braces done here. When I first walked in, honestly, I was very welcomed. The staff is honestly pretty amazing. They're very friendly. My doctor was very helpful. Any questions I had, they answered it for me. They were very responsive right away. My procedure went really well. My life changed. With the smile, I felt more and more confident, way more happy with it, a lot—like, very proud of it. My overall experience here was 10 out of 10. Best experience I've had. I would highly recommend Nalchajian Orthodontics. They honestly do the best."

Jaden got braces in Fresno, CA
Jaden Reviews Her Braces Procedure

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"My favorite thing would probably be the staff here, 'cause they’re really just—they help me with my nerves, they calm me down. They greeted me with smiles. They were really happy that I was here. I was really nervous so they kind of, just, helped me, calmed me down. Treatment was a lot easier than I thought. They took it really slow, and it was step-by-step, baby steps, and they just helped me throughout. When they first showed me the mirror, I was really nervous to look, cause I thought I was going to look really different. When I looked, I was smiling, and I’ve never stopped smiling. I would give five stars out of five. They were amazing here! "

Donato got braces and Invisalign in Fresno, CA
Donato Reviews His Braces Procedure

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"So I came to Nalchajian Orthodontics because I had a big gap in my front two teeth. My overall experience with Nalchajian has been very great. They’ve all been very welcoming, and they’re very easygoing and very helpful. When I first came in, I was really nervous because I didn’t know if the treatment would work with my teeth, but then once Dr. Nicole explained everything, I felt a lot more comfortable, and I knew everything was going to be ok with it. My treatment is going very well. My gap is closed and now my overbite is being closed. I love taking pictures with my new smile now. If any of my friends or family need orthodontics, I highly recommend Nalchajian."

Jonathan got braces in Fresno, CA
Jonathan Reviews His Braces Procedure

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"I come from a family of five, and all my siblings have gotten braces at Nalchajian Orthodontics. The people are just — you feel like they’re family. They make some good jokes. You feel like you’re at home. I really do like how they plan fun prizes to make things more interesting. You get an ice cream when you come in. When you leave, you get an ice cream. Dr. Greg, he’s really funny. He’s always telling jokes. I like working with them. I would definitely tell my friends to come to Nalchajian Orthodontics. It’s just the best place."

Koda got braces in Fresno, CA
Koda Reviews His Braces Procedure

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"I came to see Dr. Nicole because I knew I needed braces. When I first walked in the door, I felt like I was at home. Dr. Nicole was very nice and informed me about everything that needed to be done. Dr. Greg was very nice, and I felt like I was in good hands. The staff here really made me feel comfortable. My favorite thing about coming to Nalchajian is how great the people are. The treatment has been good. I’m really looking forward to having a beautiful smile. I would definitely recommend Nalchajian Orthodontics."

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do braces cost? 

The cost of braces varies depending on how long you need to wear them for, the appliances you need, your insurance, and other factors. To find out how much your braces treatment would cost, contact us in Clovis for a consultation. 

What is the right age for braces?

Braces are often recommended for children around preteen years before puberty. During this time, the child’s facial structures are still developing, making it easier to guide their jaws and teeth into the correct positions. Braces are just as effective for adults, too! We see many adult patients start their orthodontic journey in their 20s, 30s, and beyond.

How painful are braces? 

It does not hurt to get braces put on. After they are put on, and after adjustments, your mouth may feel sore for a few days. This is normal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.

Why wear rubber bands with braces? 

Rubber bands are attached to specific brackets in the upper and lower arches and guide your bite into the correct position. You should wear rubber bands as directed 24 hours a day, only taking them out to eat or brush your teeth.

Your Family-Friendly Orthodontic Experts

We look forward to caring for you and your family at Nalchajian Orthodontics. Schedule an appointment today to start your journey to a beautiful, healthier smile!

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