A little known fact about the cosmetic dentistry industry is that it is a completely unregulated field. Any dentist can say that he or she is a cosmetic dentist regardless of additional training that goes above and beyond standard dentistry. But only one or two percent really have the artistic inclinations as well as the training and skills required to create the beautiful smiles people rightfully expect from cosmetic dentists.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry does have an accreditation program that is fairly rigorous. To become accredited, a cosmetic dentist needs to pass a written exam and a clinical exam that requires him or her to handle five cases of five different types of cosmetic treatment. Any Charlotte dentist who has passed this accreditation examination is a qualified Charlotte cosmetic dentist.

The problem is that the AACD has no authority to require any Charlotte dentist to take this examination, and there are some excellent cosmetic dentists who choose not to go through this grueling process, as it isn't strictly necessary. Others are in the process of becoming accredited, and have the requisite artistic talent and training but haven't yet demonstrated it to the AACD.

When choosing a cosmetic dentist to trust with something as important as your smile it's important to understand where dentists are coming from. Most dentists take up the profession simply because they like to fix things. The vast majority of them aren't artistic. And on top of that, the training most dentists choose to undergo in these artistic areas, particularly with color, just isn't very good.

To protect the public, cosmetic dentistry should be a regulated dental specialty. But in order for that to happen it would have to be voted on by the profession, and since the vast majority of dentists aren't particularly bothered with the finer points of cosmetic dentistry that is not likely to happen. So you have a situation where maybe 1-2% of Charlotte Cosmetic dentists can do this work and have it look beautiful.

But don't be discouraged; finding a good Charlotte cosmetic dentist is not impossible. Just do your homework, and ask as many questions as you need to in order to find the right one for you.

The first place you want to go for info is anyone you know who has had cosmetic dentistry and is pleased with the results (or rather, if you are pleased with their results). Ask about their experience and the procedures they had done. If it isn't similar to what you need, don't take it for granted that the same cosmetic dentist will be able to work wonders for you.

When meeting with a cosmetic dentist for a consultation, ask about the dentist's level of experience in cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, and full mouth reconstruction. Ask to see before and after photos of patients the dentist has actually treated, and look for smiles that are as similar to yours as possible.

Find out what technologies and materials the dentist is proficient in and may use to serve your dental needs. Also, inquire about the lab technician the dentist uses to build cosmetic dental products. What are his or her experience, training, and qualifications?

Lastly, ask about pricing. I realize that everyone wants to save a few bucks these days, but cosmetic dentistry is not a place to cut corners. If your Charlotte cosmetic dentist offers prices that are significantly lower than local competitors, that may be a red flag. In cosmetic dentistry, you really get what you pay for.

Choosing the right Charlotte cosmetic dentist can make all the difference in your smile. It can be the deciding factor between having chunky and unnatural looking block teeth, and a truly gorgeous work of art in your face that gives you something to smile about for years.