To opt for silver NHS filling over a white one?

[DinoWoman]

I've had a dentist appointment today and I've been told that I need two fillings. I'm an NHS patient at my local practice.

The two fillings will be on molars at the back of my mouth. I'm not worried about the cosmetic look of them, however my dentist advised that white fillings require less tooth to be removed and therefore maintain more of the tooth's structure.

Both fillings can be done on the NHS for £65. Alternatively, the white fillings are £170 each - which seems like a lot!

I'm currently a SAHM while my DS is little and we plan to have a second DC soonish, so money is a little tighter but I could eat into savings (I have 6k of my own savings and my DH has said he is happy to help out).

Unfortunately there aren't any more reasonably priced private dentists taking on patients in my area at the moment. Otherwise, I would have considered that opton too.

So, AIBU to opt for the silver fillings? Will I regret it when I'm older due to there being less tooth 'to play with' should I need further work? WWYD?

I have silver fillings at the back of my mouth where my wisdom teeth were impacted and had to be removed. I wish I'd got white ones! They're only very slightly visible, but I don't like them

I have a private dental scheme so get white fillings for free. Dentist still advised me to get amalgam ones right at the back, as they are stronger and last longer. My white fillings definitely don't last as long so I'd beat that in mind

*bear

My own experience was not good with white fillings. As a child, I had braces. During the that time, I got cavities on my back molars. At the time, only the “silver” were available. In later life, I was not happy with them being seen, particularly at work as I was often making presentations to the board (all of whom would be sitting down) and I felt self conscious about these being seen. So I paid privately for them to be replaced. They continually fell out, more tooth needed to be drilled each time. Eventually, I had issues with one of these teeth, during lock down, and when dentists finally reopened, it had to be pulled. From my own experience, if not noticeable, go for “silver”

If can't be seen get silver

I would get the white ones.

Thanks everyone, these experiences are really helpful.

I have one silver filling on a molar at the back. All my other fillings are white. To be honest, the silver one does bother me as it is noticeable when I open mouth. However, at the time I had two young children and very little money.

From a practical point of view, I've never had any bother with either my white or silver fillings.