National Geographic News, Reporting Your World Daily

Monday, November 23, 2009

Photo: Ancient Gem-Studded Teeth Show Skill of Ancient Dentist


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The glittering grills adorning the teeth of today's hip-hop stars aren't a new fad: Mesoamericans were adding bling to their teeth (above, a male skull found in Chiapas, Mexico) as early as 2,500 years ago.

The dentists who worked on these elaborate displays likely had a sophisticated knowledge of tooth anatomy, experts said in May 2009.

Photograph courtesy José C. Jiménez López