Dental fillings

The resident dentist (retired) says that sounds like upselling to him.

Hmmm - I did wonder whether this new, young, keen dentist was trying to establish some private appointments!

Well I've got metal fillings that are 45 years old. I'm not being funny, but how much longer do you think you've got?!

If I've needed a filling redone, I've opted for a white filling.

The less amalgam in my mouth the better.

Why is amalgam a problem calistemon?

I paid privately for a gold filling in a tooth destined for the bin.
The tooth is nearly gone, but the filling is still strong.
I always understood white fillings to be less strong than amalgam.

I understood they contain mercury.
It was reported a few years ago that they should be replaced if possible.

I understood they contain mercury. It was reported a few years ago that they should be replaced if possible

Quite the opposite, Callistemon. If any mercury is released from them, it’s while they’re being removed, not when they’re in your mouth. That’s why dentists use water spray and high-speed suction so all the (infinitesimally small quantities) of mercury are collected in the suction apparatus and then safely disposed of.

Thank you, that's reassuring.

Have my various dentists been misselling expensive white fillings?

I had all my amalgam fillings replaced about 10 years ago. Recently had to have quite a big filling it cost me £81 and that was a white filling but I am with den plan…?

Don't think I want to be around in 45 years time, GrandmaKT!

I've just had a filling at the back my dentist said that the silver fillings last longer and are stronger.

I had to have a 'black' filling replaced with a white one when I lost a bit of tooth ....£230. This new dentist loses no opportunity to create lucrative work for himself.

This…

That's what my dentists have said.

I recently had a broken tooth, my private Dentist charged £90 to fill it and rebuild with a white filling. It’s better than the original.

What janeainsworth and my resident dentist said

White filling. Do not hesitate! Unfortunately I have loads of fillings. they look better, fit better and are better. they most certainly make you feel 'younger'! Ha ha. Who wants to open their mouth and see a load of metal looking fillings????

The dentists here cost a great deal every time you go. My dentist said the white fillings definitely don’t last as long as the old silver ones but are considered safer and more acceptable these days. My last appointment cost me just under $700 just for one tooth and an ordinary filling would be around $300 so you are lucky with your prices.

We lived in Australia when DH thought it would be a better system than the way the NHS was going. We stayed a year and DH then spent the rest of his career working exclusively for the NHS.

As a grinder of teeth in my sleep, I have had lots of broken teeth. My metal fillings usually survive but then have to be drilled out
My NHS dentist recently on one such occasion said I’ll give you a white filling. I wasn’t charged extra.

I have white fillings on the NHS. All my recent fillings have been white.

I researched mercury and metal fillings, and had all mine safely removed by a homeopathic dentist who took all the safety precautions for both herself and for me. I had too much mercury in my body and one of my metal fillings was leaching it because I grind my teeth. I did wonder if the mercury overload had contributed to my collapsing with M.E.

Take a look at this:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RnIS693CrM

Thanks for all your comments. It's really difficult to find independent information about fillings - and dental treatments in general. Looking on the internet, most of the really positive advice about white fillings comes from private dentists - so no surprise there. And all dentists seem to disagree on what is necessary treatment. At the moment I'm not in any pain, and it's not causing me any problems (just showed up in regular dental check up) so I'm very tempted to leave well alone and see what happens. Thanks for all your advice and comments - interesting. And if anyone can recommend an independent dental advice website, I'd be very interested.