Amalgam restorations, more commonly referred to as “silver fillings” are made up of a mercury-based alloy (silver, tin, copper, and others). For years they have been the standard for simple restorative material in dentistry. Lately, amalgam has received a bad rep on the news due to the mercury content and its supposed toxicity. Even though numerous studies have proven the safety of the material, more and more patients choose white fillings or resin composites because of its perceived safety and improved cosmetic result.