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Original poster

White fillings - Is there any benefit to paying extra for these?

46 replies

StaplesCorner · 26/01/2022 23:41

First time at a new dentists today, NHS appointment, he wants to replace 2 old fillings which is fair enough (I have 7 so he could have said they all need doing!!) but he said there's no point in doing NHS fillings. He said it was too complicated and he doesn't like using the silver-style fillings. Its a big swish practice they do a lot of private work - he said if I needed an NHS extraction in future (different tooth) they'd send me to another practice which makes me think they simply don't want NHS work.

I know dentists are often up against unfair NHS charging bands, but how do I decide if he's gaslighting me or if I really would benefit from white fillings? I just googled and found a site where it said the old fashioned ones are actually stronger and longer lasting!

OP posts:
BluebellsGreenbells · 26/01/2022 23:47

My dentist said the day - silver fillings are longer lasting than white ones - same for white caps over silver

I’ve just broken two fillings, both white (same sweet) and luckily they are under warranty for the year.

It comes down to cost and weather you don’t mind the grey fillings.

Siepie · 26/01/2022 23:49

I just googled and found a site where it said the old fashioned ones are actually stronger and longer lasting!

This is true according to my (NHS) dentist

Siepie · 26/01/2022 23:54

I didn't mean to press send so soon!

My dentist said the only benefit of white ones is that they look nicer. He recommends against white ones on back teeth as they get easily damaged there and nobody will see them anyway. I have two old silver fillings towards the back and one white one near the front, but he was honest that it was a question of looks there.

It does sounds like your dentist is pressuring you to pay privately

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Dental health
Kite22 · 26/01/2022 23:57

It is personal choice really.
I think silver / grey fillings don't look very attractive, and for me I would rather pay extra and be less self conscious about smiling, laughing, talking, etc
Other people won't be in a financial position to do that.

CaroleFuckingBaskin · 26/01/2022 23:59

I always have white unless it's the very back ones

musicalfrog · 27/01/2022 00:00

I've never been offered silver ones! I'm no spring chicken either.

Original poster
StaplesCorner · 27/01/2022 00:04

Yes it is the very back! So @musicalfrog have you always paid for private fillings?

OP posts:
Original poster
StaplesCorner · 27/01/2022 00:05

Comments so far are making me feel that he was trying it on a bit - the two white fillings he proposed would cost £320 private.

OP posts:
lumpofcomfort · 27/01/2022 00:08

For me personally it's just aesthetic. I have one silver (from a filling when I was on maternity leave and had no extra money for the white one) and several white ones. I find the silver one really obvious even though it's near the back. I haven't had any trouble with either colour coming loose.

Noway100 · 27/01/2022 00:11

www.dentalfearcentral.org/faq/fillings/#type

Good balance of the pros and cons of each type here.

musicalfrog · 27/01/2022 00:11

@StaplesCorner

Yes it is the very back! So *@musicalfrog* have you always paid for private fillings?
I suppose I must have? They can't be very expensive as I'm not exactly flush!
musicalfrog · 27/01/2022 00:12

@StaplesCorner

Comments so far are making me feel that he was trying it on a bit - the two white fillings he proposed would cost £320 private.
Mine definitely didn't cost that much. It was a long time ago so maybe the price has gone up a lot since then?
FrankieBoyleSezLoveOneAnother · 27/01/2022 00:13

My private dentist tells me that the mercury amalgam fillings are stronger and more durable. No issues with having them at the back, but I once went to a dentist who was all set to cap off a root canal (I think, it was a long time ago) with a mercury filling right at the front of my mouth, in the most visible spot imaginable, until I stopped him.

When I asked for a white filling, the dental nurse said "That's £20 extra!" Shock and I said "Er, yes please!" Confused Hmm I was living in a hard-up area at the time, and they obviously thought I was really fucking broke Grin

Noway100 · 27/01/2022 00:14

OP on what basis is he suggesting replacement? Have you seen any x-rays showing wear etc? Are you getting sensitivity etc? If no real evidence of need to change them, maybe just leave well alone for now. I always use private dentists btw but only very experienced ones I trust.
Perhaps get a second opinion.

Meh2020 · 27/01/2022 00:14

This is interesting as I am in a similar position - I’ve gone for silver due to cost and that they are at the back.
However I have always been an NHS patient and all of my current fillings (most of my teeth unfortunately) have been white, even at the back. I was a bit out that I am having silver now.

Should also add that the two fill ins/fillings are replacements for white ones which have lasted about 10 years so there might be some truth in the silver ones lasting longer.

Even NHS though still isn’t cheap - £280 quid (expensive to me!)

ElvisPresleyHadABaby · 27/01/2022 00:15

Silver are more enduring, I was quoted £120 for one small white one in a back tooth, so went with silver.

LemonSwan · 27/01/2022 00:16

I would never get a silver filling.

They are not silver. They are amalgam - which is a mix of metals - around half is mercury. Yes the actual mercury mercury!

They have been banned in many countries and recently banned in the UK for children under 15 and pregnant/ breastfeeding women.

I only know all of this because c. 15 years ago my mum ended up with really bad chronic fatigue syndrome /MS symptom; after about 5 years of suffering more and more she luckily stumbled upon a doctor who told her to get all her fillings removed. This reversed all her problems and while we cant say for sure it was that - well its pretty coincidental.

So no I would never get amalgam. I have porcelain ceramic fillings and a couple of crowns on back and side teeth and so far ten years in with no breakages/ issues.

worriedatthemoment · 27/01/2022 00:20

I thought you could just pay a small amount extra to have white ones
Luckily I only have one and opted for white as I don't want a mercury filling either and there more noticeable

Original poster
StaplesCorner · 27/01/2022 00:22

@Noway100 that’s a great website thank you! The ones he suggests replacing are old and not great; all 7 of my filled teeth were originally done in 1977! I think they must have been redone in all that time but not within the last 20 years. One I can easily see needs doing so yeah 2 replacements I can understand.

OP posts:
Kite22 · 27/01/2022 00:36

Mind you, a silver / grey one isn't that cheap either. So you have to consider the difference in cost, rather than the full cost, to decide if it is worth it for you.
Then remember your mouth is with you at all times Grin so in terms of how it affects your confidence to smile, laugh etc, every day, over many many years, it doesn't seem quite such an expense.

Obviously acknowledging that if you don't have the money, then you don't have it, but comparing what you pay to say have your hair done or on make up or whatever else you do as you think it looks nice, over 8, 10, or 12 years, then it suddenly doesn't seem quite so much.

lljkk · 27/01/2022 06:49

I have a white one in back that just keeps falling out -- I may silver that one.

Otherwise I just got fed up with having a mouth full of amalgam -- I have > 20 fillings. So I have gone for white in last 18 years.

ExtremelyDetermined · 27/01/2022 07:02

I had three mercury ones in adjoining lower back teeth in my teens (1989s). They looked awful when I opened my mouth wide but I doubt anyone else noticed. I had to have them replaced twice in the next 15 years or so, then the dentist suggested white ones, which I went for. 20 years later and they are as good as new, it's as if I never had fillings, I haven't given them a thought for years.

FindingMeno · 27/01/2022 07:11

I have metal ones and a metal crown.
I'm not bothered in the least by how they look and prefer them because they're stronger.
Having said that, if it was a front tooth I'd opt for white for vanities sake.

3WildOnes · 27/01/2022 07:12

I’m pretty sure I had my two white fillings done on the NHS. If it is a lot more could you see if any other dentists do them cheaper.

cliffdiver · 27/01/2022 07:12

From the NHS website:

^White fillings:
Where clinically appropriate, white fillings are available on the NHS and are generally charged as Band 2.^
Band 2 is £62.50.

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