Dentist!

[tinaw20]

Just had my first visit in 4 years to the dentist. I need a filling at the back of one of my top side teeth (either 2nd or 3rd along from front left tooth) I can get an amalgam filling for free or pay £55 for a white one. Has anyone else had to get a filling here? Can you see the metal ones or is it concealed enough? Dentist didn't seem bothered, said it was entirely up to me. Hate that they can't include the white ones in the free treatment

[JustGotMyBabyOnBoardBadge]

I just got 2 fillings done at the back too - can't see hem at all and the rest of my fillings are white!! The amalgam fillings don't seem as black and dark as they were when I was a kid (got them all replaced to white later) Personally I'd go with free :)

[spence24]

I have quite a few amalgam filling due to an enamel deficiency, only one can be seen if I'm laughing hysterically with my mouth open but other than that, none can be seen. The last two I have in the last few years do seem to be considerably lighter than the ones I had in my teens! The only white one I ever had was because they'd run out of silver, and couldn't charge me more as it wasn't my fault!

Nothing wrong with the free ones, especially if they're top fillings, you won't see them or even think about them!

[tinaw20]

It is my top tooth but with bit being so close to the front I was worried it'd cause darkening when I smile. I've got one white one at the bottom in the middle but the rest are all amalgam, never had to get one on my front teeth before though - scared it'll hurt more

[stationaryace]

If you've only got white ones then I'd say stick with them. White aren't sensitive to the things the others are and if you do change your mind later it may have stained your tooth - mine did and even with a white replacement (dentist decreed, not vanity from me) it still looks grey.

[icklekid]

Thanks for posting I'm going to dentist this afternoon and it's been 2 years- I was feeling so guilty about how long it has been but your post reassured me I'm not the only one who doesn't go every 6 months/year! As for fillings I would pay and go for white especially as dentist free otherwise so not paying for nothing (which is normally the case and possibly the reason it has been so long since I last went!)

[tinaw20]

I've only got one white one and it's kind of faded to a dirty colour anyway as is about 8 years old. I really can't afford to pay £55 but if it's going to affect the way I look forever then I think I'd have to come up with the money somehow. Just want to find out if there's anyone out there who has amalgam fillings near the front top and if they are visible or not? It's purely for vanity reasons at my end my front teeth are the only decent looking part of my teeth, lol!

[FirsttimerG]

I had a filling done a month ago after my tooth crumbled.
They took out the silver coloured filling of old and put a whit white one in, no charge because it was free to pregnant women.
I would check their charging!! Xxx

[tinaw20]

It's definitely chargeable they offered me the choice! Maybe it depends on what they have available as have heard that one place didn't have a I amalgam left so they have a white one for free - maybe you're practice is just dead generous

[youbuggerz]

We own a dental practice. The white material is more expensive and is considered cosmetic so NHS don't fund it. If you've got it free in the past, then it's come out of the dentist's pocket so lucky you!

[youbuggerz]

Ps. White fillings are apparently more likely to fail so go for amalgam if you can't see it at the back! My husband has done some tiny fillings at the back of my teeth in amalgam and you cant see them!

[tinaw20]

Hiya, yeah I was questioning the free white one too as I knew it wasn't on the NHS! It is at the back of my tooth but it's only about the 2nd or 3rd tooth along from my front teeth so I am worried it'd be visible...

[helgaw99]

I had a big filling last week. My dentist gave me the white one free because I was pregnant. It was near the front and a silver one would have been very obvious. Previously he has offered me the choice.

Might be worth checking again.

[tinaw20]

Hmm I'm wondering if I should call around different dentists now. Numerous people have told me that only amalgam is free though, maybe there are just some very generous dentists out there