ProviderOur Values
Great orthodontic care is about more than just straightening teeth; it's about creating smiles that optimize your overall health. At our Fresno and Clovis orthodontic clinics, you can expect:
Personalized Service
Our team is here to provide guidance, support, and encouragement every step of the way. We offer customized treatment planning, payment and financing options, and post-treatment maintenance to make your experience as stress-free as possible. And if you're more comfortable communicating in Spanish, just let us know; we have team members available who can help.
Proactive & Moderate Treatment
We believe in a less-is-more approach to orthodontics. Our goal is always to opt for the most efficient, effective, and conservative treatment possible for each patient, including early intervention for children.
Orthodontics for Everyone
Everyone deserves a healthy, beautiful smile that functions properly, regardless of age. At Nalchajian Orthodontics, we offer comprehensive orthodontic treatment options tailored to the needs of children, teens, and adults.
Early Assessments for Children
Your child's smile is growing fast! One of the best ways to ensure that their tooth and jaw alignment stays healthy and straight is through an early orthodontic evaluation. Spotting issues early allows us to gently guide oral development for optimal results.
Orthodontics for Oral Health
We all want a beautiful smile, but orthodontics is about so much more than aesthetics. It’s about creating healthy tooth and jaw alignment that supports better oral health and overall well-being.
Better Oral & Airway Function
Improving the alignment of the teeth and jaws can help improve their actual function – breathing, biting, chewing, and speaking. Problems with these basic functions can be debilitating for many patients, and we take great pleasure in helping our patients resolve them.
Better Oral Hygiene
Straight teeth make it easier for you to clean all the spaces between your teeth when you brush and floss. For many of our patients, orthodontic treatment makes a huge difference when it comes to avoiding serious oral health problems like tooth decay and gum disease.
Long-Term Damage Prevention
Misaligned teeth can sustain a lot of wear and tear over time as they move against each other in uneven patterns during talking and chewing, or as a result of compensatory movements. Straightening your teeth can help you avoid much of this wear and tear – and reduce the need for restorative dental treatments in the future.
Communication is Power
We believe that keeping patients well-informed about their treatment progress and oral health empowers them to take an active role in their treatment and sets them up for orthodontic success.
We're always available to answer questions, and we make sure our patients understand each element of their treatment plans at each stage of treatment.
Here are our answers to some questions we are frequently asked by new patients about orthodontics.
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What are the benefits of orthodontics?
Orthodontic treatments were developed to align the teeth and jaws, which can have a number of aesthetic benefits. However, this is only part of the story. Orthodontic treatment also has several positive health implications.
First of all, misaligned teeth are simply more difficult to clean than straight, even teeth. This means that people with misalignments are more prone to tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, misalignments in the teeth and jaws can cause difficulties with chewing, leading to digestive issues. These misalignments can also lead to chronic neck and facial pain.
By improving the alignment of the teeth and jaws, orthodontic treatment can help resolve all of these issues.
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What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who diagnoses, prevents, manages, and corrects misaligned teeth, jaws, and bite patterns.
To become an orthodontist, candidates must first complete a four-year undergraduate degree, followed by four years of dental school. After dental school, a two- to three-year orthodontic residency program is required.
Training for orthodontists focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and correcting misaligned teeth and jaws.
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At what age should someone seek orthodontic treatment?
We typically recommend that children visit the orthodontist for the first time by the age of 7.
These early evaluations give us an opportunity to identify and treat emerging, isolated orthodontic issues and treat them promptly. In some cases, we can work with a child's developing upper jaw to guide healthy growth. This type of early intervention can help prepare for orthodontic treatment in the teen or adult years.
As far as adults go, there is no upper age limit for orthodontic treatment. As long as their teeth and gums are healthy, adults in their 30s, 40s, and beyond can benefit from orthodontics too!
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How can I tell if I need orthodontic treatment?
The best way to know for sure if you could benefit from orthodontic treatment is to be evaluated by an orthodontist. You can request an appointment with us at any time (no referral needed!).
That being said, some signs that you should book a consultation include:
- Visibly misaligned teeth or bite
- Pain or discomfort when chewing
- Difficulty chewing or speaking
- Chronic facial or jaw pain
- Difficulty brushing and flossing
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What are my orthodontic treatment options at Nalchajian Orthodontics?
The two primary modes of orthodontic treatment we offer are traditional braces and Invisalign clear aligners. Both treatment modalities can be customized for each patient's specific needs.
For children, early intervention in the form of jaw growth guidance with appliances like palatal expanders may also be used.
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How much does orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign cost?
Orthodontic treatment costs vary depending on a number of factors, including the severity and complexity of your orthodontic issue, the amount of time it takes to correct it, and the type of treatment you choose.
Our team will work with you to develop a treatment plan that takes your budget into consideration. We're also happy to help you with submitting insurance claims and to work with you on a financing plan to help take some of the stress out of paying for treatment.