Any dentist around? white or amalgam fillings?

[whiteworld]

Dd (16) has to have a filling in a back tooth. Which is best - white or amalgam? Do both last for the same length of time? I don’t think you’ll be able to see the filling when she laughs or smiles.

Depends on how big how deep and exactly which part /s of the tooth are being filled

Also depends on whether it’s nhs or not
Either can work adequately for many years
Ultimately it’s the dentists choice tho - the patient doesn’t usually get to choose
Sounds like you or she needs to ask before they begin the work

Private you can choose. NHS they give you amalgam, there's no option for white.

I have two amalgam ones at the back. I'd have them replaced with white if it wasn't so tricky. I'm due another filling soon and will be getting white as it's a private dentist. They aren't visible unless I throw my head back and laugh which I think people only do in films. But I don't like the look of them and although they're 100% safe, having mercury in my mouth just seems wrong to me personally.

Get white if there's an option as lasting wise they're the same as far as I know and then she can just forget about them.

It’s an nhs dentist, but they have given us the choice.

My dentist told me recently that white fillings don’t last as long. I looked online and they say on average white fillings only last 7-10 years on average. I have a couple older than that which need replacing.

White are £90 each, amalgam are free. We don’t mind paying.

This probably isn’t overly helpful but I have two white fillings. One I got about nine years ago. The other about six years ago. Both are fine.
And I was offered the choice of white or amalgam. White was slightly more expensive & I went with it for cosmetic reasons.

It depends on how deep the filling is, whether there are any moisture issues (white fillings need it to be dry)

White fillings can last as long as amalgam, but they are a bit more technique sensitive in the fact you need the tooth to be completely dry. But I find that they last just as long.

If it was my tooth is probably go for white unless there was a specific reason not to use it.

Thanks. It’s my dd’s first filling. :(

Want to make the best decision. When I had fillings as a teen, there were only amalgam fillings...

I'm currently pregnant and I have had amalgam fillings in my mouth for a while now. Does the mercury from these fillings cause any harm to the developing Fetus. I have not had any put in whilst being pregnant but I have been reading up on mercury vapours recently and it has been worrying me.

I had amalgam fillings when I was 15 - at 51 my new-ish dentist reckons they are fantastic. I had to have one replaced and did so with white.
I think white fillings have come a long way since I was a dental nurse!
White looks better for sure.

I had a filling whilst pregnant and the Dentist said that white was the best option - and it was covered under the NHS Maternity Exemption card.

Returned post birth, and needed another filling. As was breastfeeding Dentist said she was only happy to do a white filling.

Personally if I needed another filling I’d get white and be happy to pay if needed

Hi I am a dentist, nowadays the white material is better, can achieve less tooth removal and better bonding. That is if you can afford it if not amalgam is absolutely fine and will be adequate. Both should last as long as each other.