Amalgam fillings / teens?

[Kaleyukelele]

My dd had a filling in her tooth today. She’s 16.
It’s a back tooth and her first filling , but I was really surprised they used an amalgam rather than white filling?
I wish I had asked to pay for a white one, stupidly I assumed under 18s are always given white, as this was the case for under 18s at my last (nhs) dentist . This one is private, but as an under 18 she is an nhs patient. Would you have expected a white filling? I mean , not much I can do about it now but I’m surprised?.

White fillings don’t last as long, and they don’t come on the NHS (regardless of age), you have to pay for them.

Weird . I had fillings on the nhs as a kid in the nineties and they were white. I’ve always taken my family to the same nhs dentist and they’ve only ever used white on me too ? I guess it was maybe their policy/ preference and we were just lucky.

Why would you expect the NHS to give her the (more expensive) white option without paying? The amount they get per NHS patient is scandalously low - they can’t afford to do anything except for amalgam, under 18 or not.

I wouldn't expect a white filling from a NHS dentist.

I always got amalgam fillings. None of my 4 DC have had a filling so no idea about what happens at the current practice we are at...my eldest is 18yo and has perfect teeth AFAIK. Other three are same.

Nhs can do white fillings on teeth that are more visible, but back molars are always going to be amalgam. It is longer lasting and harder wearing so often recommended over white filling anyway.

I have no idea. I just can’t remember seeing kids or teens with amalgam so I just didn’t realise it was a thing? I also have three adult dc but none have ever needed any fillings, so I just never really thought about it?