When you think of your dentist, “artist” is probably not one of the first words you’d use to describe them. However, even though dentistry is primarily about oral health, it also requires a certain level of artistry. Otherwise, your teeth wouldn’t look nearly as good as they feel after being repaired with a dental crown, filling, or other restoration. Your dentist needs an artistic eye and a keen eye for detail to make your dental work look like a natural part of your smile. Read on to learn how this fascinating process works!

For more than 150 years, dentists have treated tooth decay with fillings made from amalgam. This material contains a mixture of various metals, most notably mercury. You may have heard about the controversy over whether metal fillings are even safe. If you still have amalgam fillings, you might be wondering whether you should replace them with tooth-colored fillings that contain no metal. Keep reading to learn why replacing your metal fillings might be the safest choice for your smile!