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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Are white fillings worth the money?

39 replies

EachandEveryone · 26/02/2020 16:10

I think Ive just walked right into this one. I have only ever had the old fashioned fillings. Im an NHS patient. A large filling at the side of my moith has come out and I saw a different dentist. She was very good but suggested its at the side of my mouth and the one next to it needs redoing. It will be £300 for two and tales 1 1/2 hours. Or I can just have the oldfashioned ones for £63. I feel sick now because I am broke (sick pay) and ive given £100 deposit.

I guess its too late to back out. Have I made an expensive mistake?

OP posts:
RedSheep73 · 26/02/2020 16:13

I've been replacing mine with white as they need doing, it does look much nicer not to have a mouthful of metal. But not if you really can't afford it.

Didntwanttochangemyname · 26/02/2020 16:13

I had a filling recently and got a white one. Worth every penny as far as I'm concerned. I didn't have any previously, so if I open my mouth you'd never know I have one now.
But when I paid for it, I could afford it. I think if it was a choice between the white filling and feeding my family...

Figgygal · 26/02/2020 16:15

I have some silver fillings in the top row at the back but I would never have them on the bottom they’re just far too visible I always think it’s worth the money for white

Bella2020 · 26/02/2020 16:17

White fillings do look better but if you can't afford it easily, then ask to have a regular filling. Not worth leaving yourself skint or in debt.

MillyMollyMardy · 26/02/2020 16:20

If you've just booked an appointment and haven't yet had the fillings done you can change your mind. Just call the practice and get them to change the appointment length.
Yes he white ones will look nicer but nearly £140 extra when you're on sick leave is a lot of money. You could change them later when your finances are healthier.

bornonasunday · 26/02/2020 16:22

I had one changed to white almost 2 years ago, in my lower set of teeth. Well worth it, I think!! I have the old grey fillings and my DP happened to say “oh you having lovely white teeth, pity about that filling” and I asked if it was obvious and he said yes. So I enquired at my dentists (private!) and then had it done ... he just drilled out old filling and replaced with white amalgam. Cost just over £120. To be honest, I had to get a mirror to check which tooth it was, as it has blended in so well!
Apparently, a lot of grey fillings were preventative, so the actual tooth may not have had problems, therefore the changing of filling is straightforward.
Don’t know about the timescale you have been quoted, mine was v quick, price seems much the same tho!
Go for it!👍

Orangecake123 · 26/02/2020 16:27

Yes!

I had two done as a child and hate them. I have a white one and can hardly even tell it's there. I'm slowly going to have the others replaced.

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 26/02/2020 16:28

Oh it wont leave me starving but it will be tight. I think ive gpt one of those simply health plans I will check see if they will give me some back.

OP posts:
Tobebythesea · 26/02/2020 16:30

Yes, especially if it’s a tooth/teeth at the front of your mouth.

urright · 26/02/2020 16:32

Please don't feel sick, whilst it is costly the reward will be having a nice smile with natural looking teeth. I don't think its a mistake, more a long term investment. The treatment whilst not nice is so much easier to endure that it used to be.

inwood · 26/02/2020 16:33

Totally worth the money.

LeggyLinda · 26/02/2020 16:35

Have you checked the price difference between NHS and private?
I’ve often found some private dental treatments work out cheaper than NHS. I’m not saying it will be in this case but it may worth checking.

MadisonMontgomery · 26/02/2020 16:36

I have only white fillings - 100% worth it, you can’t tell they are there. I think you will regret it if you get metal ones, they do look very obvious (apologies to anyone who has them!)

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 26/02/2020 16:40

The amalgam fillings are not as good as the white ones. There is also a theoretical health risk for some people who have a sensitivity to mercury. This aspect is not widely discussed in the NHS which could not afford to give everyone white fillings. Most dentists prefer not to have amalgam themselves. Many people are gradually replacing them as and when. Go for it. It will be worth it. They also look much better

Fluffycloudland77 · 26/02/2020 16:41

Totally worth it.

Togepi · 26/02/2020 16:48

This thread has reminded me that I have a couple of white fillings, which I had totally forgotten about since they're completely invisible. So yes: definitely worth the money!

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 26/02/2020 16:50

Oh, i havent claimed anything this year and my policy is due to be renewed on 28th March I wonder if I could claim on this one and the next years one?

OP posts:
BumbleBeeFlower · 26/02/2020 16:51

I always go for white.
I can remember going to an NHS dentist for a check up after 2 years and they told me I needed 6 fillings at £200 each for white and I was mortified as I couldn't afford that but didn't want a mouthful of silver.
Went for a second opinion at a private dentist and he said my teeth were in perfect condition and no fillings needed! So now I never trust NHS dentists.
If your fillings are in a top tooth then I would just go for silver as no one will be able to see them. If bottom teeth then I would go for white.
Look at private dentists near you as well. You will be surprised how reasonable their prices are compared to NHS and they may even be cheaper for white fillings.

notanotherjigsawpiece · 26/02/2020 16:53

Yes they are worth it but look elsewhere - I had mine done for about £50 each as an NHS patient. I’m in NI so I don’t know if the prices differ between here and rest of UK

Dilbertian · 26/02/2020 16:53

Only if it's small.

I have a mouthful of amalgam fillings up to 40y old. Only two have ever come loose and had to be replaced. They were at least 20y old.

I have had two white fillings. Neither lasted more than 2 years before breaking.

backtonormalname · 26/02/2020 16:57

I'm in a similar position right now having to decide. I wish I knew if all of the stuff about the health risks has any substance to it. I'm not normally jumpy about these things, have the flu jab etc but as I have some unexplained medical symptoms and some allergies, I guess I worry about giving my body anything that might put it under strain.

Justkeeprollingalong · 26/02/2020 16:58

I have a lot of grey fillings from childhood so some of them are 50 years old.
I asked my NHS Dentist about having some of them replaced with white ones. He strongly advised me not to have white in my molars or pre-molars as in his opinion they aren't any thing like as long lasting and often need replacing after 3 - 5 years.
They do look better though 🤷🏻‍♀️

waterlego · 26/02/2020 16:59

I wouldn’t call composite fillings a long-term investment urrite given that amalgam fillings last up to twice as long!

smartiecake · 26/02/2020 16:59

Totally worth it. Its a big expense but will hopefully last you for 20/30 years so its a worthwhile investment

waterlego · 26/02/2020 17:00

I have loads of fillings, some silver, some white. As a general rule, I choose metal if they’re near the back, white if they’re near the front. I’ve ever got a gold crown, which makes me look rather gangsta, if I say so myself 😆