A closer look

Before composite resins became the norm, walking around with a pirate's treasure chest in your mouth was considered peak dental care. In the late 20th century, the dental industry was consuming immense amounts of gold, anchoring a bizarre, heavily localized micro-economy right into our gums. It’s a beautifully cynical reality that people were literally eating, breathing, and talking through precious metals while simultaneously complaining about the rising cost of living.