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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want a tooth removed rather than filled?

39 replies

Troublesometrucker · 23/10/2014 02:29

if I pay for it?

I just feel it's my mouth.

None of the materials they want to fill it with are things that I want in my mouth. I'd rather lose the tooth - it won't show.

The best option would be a white composite (which again I would happily pay for, I'm not expecting the NHS to foot the bill) however I have Oestrogen (?) dominance and BPA within them is an endocrine disruptor. I don't want it permanently in my mouth for a tooth that I really won't miss. I go out of my way to try and avoid it where I can in goods that I buy...this is my mouth, part of me?

I have agreed to disagree with the dentist for now, and return to her when I have made my mind up on what she can fill it with.

But being my mouth, AIBU for thinking it's up to me?

OP posts:
Chottie · 23/10/2014 03:01

I would be guided by my dentist personally. If you have the tooth out, there will be a gap and your other teeth could shift and then be out of line which could affect your bite.

Booboostoo · 23/10/2014 03:45

It is your choice and your dentist should respect it. Generally losing a tooth causes all sorts of problems but if you are aware of them and prefer this option then it's your choice. I am not aware of your condition and the ways a filling would affect you, sorry about that, but would a more specialist dentist know more options for you?

amyisagonegirl · 23/10/2014 05:02

Its your tooth and your decision. No one should pressure you to accept a treatment you aren't happy with.
However the dentist should also not be forced to remove a saveable tooth against their better judgement that removing it would have a determental effect on you health in comparison to saving it.
Have you considered an inlay? The cavity is cleaned and an impression taken, then a lab makes a "filling" either porcelain or metal (gold). This is a more time consuming and old school treatment and I would expect it to be expensive.

MexicanSpringtime · 23/10/2014 05:09

I would vote for keeping your tooth, after all if it is just a filling, I imagine there will be more teeth needing a filling soon, are you going to get them all out?

You need to be able to chew properly to eat well, so you will soon have false teeth, but unfortunately the gums start to shrink and then the falsies move around and end up being unusable.

afterthought · 23/10/2014 05:24

I had one removed after failed root canal. My choice. I have had no problems :)

ChelsyHandy · 23/10/2014 08:27

You do realise that losing a tooth means loss of bone density in your jaw sooner or later? That "caving in" effect...it can affect the whole look of your face and is very ageing.

PiperIsOrange · 23/10/2014 09:23

I have had 2 front teeth out, I now have a permenat bridge.

It was hell getting used to the temporary denture, ended up having a dry socket as well.

I would vote to save the tooth.

NotMrsTumble · 23/10/2014 09:32

Agree with Amy, investigate an inlay. They're usually ceramic & look natural, although not suitable in all cases (& pretty sure the nhs doesn't cover them, primarily because of the cost vs a filling)

ReallyTired · 23/10/2014 09:42

Having a tooth extraction is not nice and there is a potential risk of complications. I had a wisdom tooth extracted and then the socket became infected afterwards. There is no way I would have a tooth extracted if it was not medically necessary.

What is your objection to bog standard amalgam if you don't want the white plastic fillings? They are not allow to use mercury in fillings anymore which has the downside of making them less durable.

"The best option would be a white composite (which again I would happily pay for, I'm not expecting the NHS to foot the bill) however I have Oestrogen (?) dominance and BPA within them is an endocrine disruptor. I don't want it permanently in my mouth for a tooth that I really won't miss. I go out of my way to try and avoid it where I can in goods that I buy...this is my mouth, part of me?"

Without meaning to be rude, this is an unproven medical problem. Millions of people have white fillings without any health problems. Extracting a tooth is far more likely to cause long term issues. I feel that unnecessary extraction of a tooth is a no brainer.

NotMrsTumble · 23/10/2014 09:50

AFAIK there's still mercury in amalgam fillings, it's why we have to have a mercury spillage kit and procedure at work....

LaQueenIsKickingThroughLeaves · 23/10/2014 10:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Troublesometrucker · 23/10/2014 11:06

Hmm ok good to get other viewpoints, there's lots to think about there. I will investigate what inlays are to start I think. Thanks!

OP posts:
ElephantsNeverForgive · 23/10/2014 11:16

I'm minus two molars, one cost me a fortune and considerable discomfort to have root filled and still got a huge abscess. The other (it's twin on the other side) my much better dentist Xrayed and declared a lost cause with no unnecessary nonsense.

Their absence doesn't bother me at all.

swampytiggaa · 23/10/2014 12:04

I had a tooth removed rather than have root canal work done. Mind you I have never had a full set of adult teeth due to just not having them so one less barely makes any difference.

Hatespiders · 23/10/2014 13:58

Oh Lord! I wish I could persuade you to keep the tooth. I have a phobia of dentists and decided I'd rather have a tooth out than filled as I could then have sedation. Big mistake. All my teeth on that side moved sideways out of alignment. I started grinding my teeth on the points (bruxism) causing pain in my jaw and gums. I then had to pay the max NHS fee for a plastic mouth guard to wear at night, but still grind uncontrollably during the day. My head aches, my jaw aches, and my front teeth now lean to one side.
Please try to save your tooth. It is indeed your body and your mouth; choose the best option and have a filling!

cherrybombxo · 23/10/2014 14:02

I just had a white filling done this morning (eating my yoghurt was an interesting experience!) and I have another two which are a few years old - no problems here. I wouldn't have a tooth out unless there was no way to save it.

wobblyweebles · 23/10/2014 16:35

I had my back top left tooth out because it was unsaveable. It took about a year to get used to the gap but my other teeth have not obviously moved. I wouldn't want to have any more teeth removed if I can possibly help it.

I think you should seriously consider what you will do if you end up with multiple teeth needing filings. Would you have them all removed?

whois · 23/10/2014 17:02

I would always try and save the tooth.

Thisishowyoudisappear · 23/10/2014 17:57

Just going through having an implant done which is costing about £2k. I've had a missing molar for about 12 years. I don't have much bone loss but the molar above has grown down a bit into the gap below, and I've had to have a wisdom tooth extracted and the next molar along filled, because of problems with my bite. None of these problems have been significant except for costing a fortune ( and having to wait years to afford the implant) but the equivalent molar on the other side, which is crowned, has caused me NO problems whatsoever. My advice would be to find a dentist you can trust and do whatever you need to do to save your tooth in the best way for you.

marne2 · 23/10/2014 18:06

I would rather have a tooth removed, I hate the fact that fillings often fall out so you have to keep going back. I had 6 teeth out earlier this year and 6 fillings on my remaining teeth ( 2 of which have since fallen out ).

Hatespiders · 23/10/2014 18:52

Well, I must have been lucky, as I have still got a filling put in 60 years ago!
Maybe I should go on Antiques Roadshow with it!

Ilovenicesoap · 23/10/2014 19:40

I had a back molar which had been repeatedly filled and repaired and was agonising in its sensitivity.
I decided to get it taken out rather than filled again and it has been the best decision I have made..
I have chubby cheeks anyway so it hasn't made much difference but I can now eat without screaming in pain Smile

IsItMeOr · 23/10/2014 19:47

marne I think your experience with fillings falling out may be unusual?

I've had it happen once in over 30 years with fillings in the vast majority of my teeth.

IsItMeOr · 23/10/2014 19:49

Btw, who diagnosed your Oestrogen condition? It doesn't seem to be recognised by the mainstream medicine from my modest googling.

Liara · 23/10/2014 19:55

I am minus a molar and would very much encourage you to try and keep the tooth.

A tooth also stops the tooth opposite (as in the top one if it is the bottom one and vice versa) from carrying on growing, if you have a gap you might get an excessively long tooth. Which could catch with your other teeth and cause other problems.