Hello, my name is Melissa and I am one of Dr. Specht's patients and I am finishing my treatment with Invisalign. I must admit, I was a bit nervous to be going through orthodontic treatment again, especially after I had gone through it before with traditional metal braces. But I have to say, my experience with Invisalign was amazing!

Meet Dr. Specht

Perfecting smiles for over 30 years with expert care and advanced technology.

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My Previous Experience With Braces

I must say, during my previous time with traditional braces, I remember the constant appointments to get them tightened, eating certain foods and always knowing the braces were there. It was like a commitment to my life and it was overwhelming. So, when I found out I needed to get my teeth aligned again, my thoughts were very simple. I had no desire to go through this again. As an adult, you want to get something that works with your lifestyle, not against it.

Meet Dr. Specht

Perfecting smiles for over 30 years with expert care and advanced technology.

15 Years of 5-Star Reviews • Virtual Visits Available

Call (805) 347-4444Schedule FREE Consultation

When The First Treatment Plan Didn't Feel Right

First off, I went to an orthodontist in a location close to where I live. They did all the necessary scans and when they came back to me with a proposal, I was not pleased about what I was hearing from them. I was told I would need two years of braces. I was told I would need to remove two baby teeth that I was born with but never developed adult teeth underneath. What was concerning me was that I was not in any pain and they were not affecting my life in any way. It was a big step to remove teeth and I left feeling a little unsure about what I was going to do.

Why I Decided To Get A Second Opinion

That's when I thought of Dr. Specht. I had seen him a few years ago and I remembered the level of care and trust I felt when I was a patient. Even though I live a few hours away from his office, I felt it was best to call to get a second opinion. From the very beginning, everyone was incredibly helpful. I was able to send over my scans and discuss my concerns without the need to travel right away. I asked if Invisalign was an option for me, especially since I really didn't want to wear braces as an adult.

Discovering Invisalign As A Real Alternative

Dr. Specht was kind and patient and was very reassuring during the process. He explained everything to me and told me that Invisalign would indeed work for my case. This was a huge moment for me. I set up a consultation and went into the office and once again, the whole office was wonderful with me. To be honest with you, I was a little nervous about starting my orthodontic treatment again, but they understood that and explained everything to me. What really caught my attention was the treatment plan that they had for me. Instead of having to go for two years with braces and having to get my teeth extracted, they told me that with the Invisalign treatment, we could get great results in about 18 months. This was a plan that I felt like I could really commit to.

What It Was Like Living With Invisalign

As soon as I began my treatment with Invisalign, I immediately saw the big difference between this treatment and the traditional metal braces. One of the greatest benefits for me has been that I can take my aligners out when I am eating. I also really appreciated that during my treatment, I did not feel as self-conscious as I might have with traditional braces. The aligners are invisible, so no one really even knows that I am wearing them. It feels like I am getting a beautiful smile without my life being on hold.

How Dental Monitoring Made It Easier

Since I live a few hours away from the office, I was initially concerned about how I would be able to keep up with regular appointments. Dental Monitoring completely changed that experience for me. It was very easy to use. Every week, I would send updates through pictures and they would review my progress and give me feedback, advice and steps to take. It made me feel like I was always on track without having to constantly travel long distances. For my lifestyle, that is incredibly important.

The Results After 18 Months

True to what I was told at the beginning, my treatment was completed in 18 months. I have a straight smile and I must say that I'm very happy with it. My bite is better and everything looks natural. One of the things I appreciate the most is that I was able to get all of this without losing my baby teeth. They are still intact and not causing me any problems. That was something I was really worried about from the very beginning, so it means a lot to me that we were able to avoid removing it.

Looking Back At The Entire Experience

If I were to think about the entire process that I went through, what strikes me the most is how well everything fits into my life. I had the chance to do something that's really important for my health and my confidence without disrupting my life. Deciding to travel a few hours to get to the best orthodontist for my treatment has been absolutely worth it.

Would I Recommend Invisalign?

Absolutely. If you are someone who feels nervous about orthodontic treatment, especially as an adult, I completely get where you are coming from. I too had the same feelings. However, from my experience with Invisalign, I can honestly say that the process has been comfortable and not as intimidating as I thought. I am so grateful for Dr. Specht and his entire team for helping me through this journey. If you are someone who has been waiting for a solution that fits into your life, this might be the answer for you.

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