Are white fillings worth the money?

[EachandEveryone]

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?

I've got two fillings they're both white. I don't remember them costing that much but they are quite small so maybe that's why. I don't think they're noticeable at all, so in that sense I'd say they're worth it. I guess it depends on where in your mouth they are/how obvious they'd be as well. If it's right at the back and going to be costing you this much then maybe go for a cheaper one

smartie, white ones last around 10 years on average. That’s going to depend a lot on the individual and their lifestyle and diet, of course, but that’s the average.

I have a Simply Health Plan and needed two Lots of fillings. My cut off date is 31st Dec. So I had some work done in December and made a claim. Then the other work done in January and claimed. Best to check with your dentist that they will bill you this way as you have to show separate receipts for each session to claim for separate years. Definitely worth doing it that way if you can.

I’ve had white fillings, they are good but as other people have said, they’re not always as strong Or long lasting as the silver ones. Also when a silver filling is removed a small amount of mercury can still be released into your mouth. So although it’s good to replace them, there’s still a risk that the mercury will be displaced. Some dentists recommend they should only be removed if damaged.

I've had a white composite for approx. 15 years, I would not want to have amalgam in my mouth for aesthetics and possible health aspects, for me the investment is in my smile and appearance waterlego.

Very much worth it to me, i have white ones. I think a person's teeth make a big difference to their overall appearance

Beware, I had an amalgam filling replaced with white in a premolar and afterwards my tooth was still a greyish colour. The dentist shrugged and said that yes, the colour from the amalgam does leak into the tooth and stay that way. Wouldn’t show in a molar I imagine.

My new dentist advised not to fiddle with old fillings unless that have a clinical need as it can stir up trouble.

urrite Sure, if aesthetics are a priority to the individual then yes, I’m sure it’s a worthwhile investment. But objectively, and taking no other factors into account, purely on a ‘cost per wear’ basis (😆), amalgam are better value.

i thought that for cosmetic purposes, if the filling is at the front of your mouth that your dentist could still do a white filling on the NHS?
I'm sure I was told that by my dentist many years ago.
I say if you can afford it it is definitely worth it. I have a policy of replacing amalgam with white as and when they need replacing.

My white filling ( more of an inlay) needed replacing twice in the last five years- with the added inconvenience of the temporary filling falling out too. I opted for metal when it needed replacing yet again. As the dentist said, it doesn't look the best but it will last so much longer.....,

Yes. Metal filling eventually go black. Gold looks horrendously gangster.

I’ve got 5 fillings (only had one until pregnancy fucked with my teeth 😕) and they’re all white. I think it’s well worth the money as you can’t see them at all. My first one I had over 12 years ago and it’s not needed replacing yet.

The last time I got one I paid for a white one and I’m so glad i did. The dentist explained that they now last just as long as the silver. However mine only cost about £40-50 and it was a really big filling, I’m not sure I’d have paid £150.

i thought that for cosmetic purposes, if the filling is at the front of your mouth that your dentist could still do a white filling on the NHS?

They can do white fillings where clinically appropriate. www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/dental-health/what-are-nhs-fillings-and-crowns-made-of/

Yes I have white ones at the front of my mouth and didn’t pay any more for them as they are at front.