Dental work - four new fillings done at the same appointment? yes/no?

[Jzee]

It's a new dentist and I have 8 amalagam (silver) fillings which I would like to have changed to white fillings. The dentist has said he can do the work on two visits four fillings on either side each time. This sounds painfull what do you think?

at least you'll get them all over in a couple of visits. the worse thing is the injections imo so you won't have to have more than two lots.

Would you be given a pain jab? How long is the dentist estimating the work will take? Personally, I wouldn't do four in one go.

1 hour for 4 fillings - 1 injection - I was surprised that he said he could do four fillings at once?

I had a dentist who did this. he did them all very quickly and badly. I wouldn't get more than two done at a time, unless the appointment's sufficiently long to do a decent job of it.
I didn't know you could get amalgam changed to white. Are these molars you're having done? How much does it cost?

agree with southeastastra, one injection for each side, shouldnt be any more painful having four done than one I would think.

I would rather just get them over with as fast as poss, there shouldnt be much drilling needed if they are replacements rather than new, so they probably wont take long either .

Lyrasilvertongue: How much time did they allow for the work?

£90 each tooth -( I know!) I haven't had anywork done on my teeth for a long time and I hate these big silver fillings which I've had for years.

I can't remember it was a long time ago. I think he did three in about half an hour, so an hour to do four doesn't sound so bad.
I think I might consider having this done. DS2 asked to look in my mouth the other day and then exclaimed 'Yuck. Metal teeth!'

Don't think I'd fancy that. Is there any reason you need to get them all changed now? Can't it be a project for the next year ?

My jaw aches badly after 20 minutes - 4 fillings is going to take a while.

As for your original question I don't suppose it'll be any more painful having four done at once. It's only the injection that hurts.

Lyrasilvertongue: I know how you feel - DS asked me why I had raisins in my teeth?! I think I might get two done at a time and then if they are Ok - four on the other side.

I've had most of my silver fillings replaced. Perhaps I've had bad luck, but in almost every tooth when the silver filling was removed there was a bit of decay under the filling that needed attention - i.e. further drilling, and in two instances, required root canals.

You may be luckier, and it may really be as simple as switching one for the other. But be prepared for the possibility of some 'problems' being uncovered when the silver is removed.

Was it worth doing Earlybird?

I agree with SEA. I hate those jabs and the way my mouth feels for hours afterwards. Would rather get it over with.

If I won lotto, I'd have all the rest of my molars removed and replaced by the new style implants that can be done in an hour.

My molars are awful.

yes expat i am with you on all fronts

Yes, and no. My mouth definitely 'looks' better because there is not so much silver on view. But, the extra work/expense that was required as a result of taking out the silver was a real shock.

Also as I understand it, the 'white' fillings do not last as long as the silver, so was told that I should expect they will need to be redone in 15-20 years.

Maybe the best course is to get the ones in front (those that 'show') done in white, but leave the silver ones in the back?

Earlybird: This is what worries me - it all sounds great and at the moment I haven't got any problems. Did you have more than one tooth done at a time?

I have also heard that white fillings don't last as long..The dentist said I should have my 20 year old fillings replaced even though I'm not having any problems. I just wonder if this is a money making exercise?

The most I ever had done at once was two. But as I said, I have problem teeth. When they took out the silver, there was decay underneath that couldn't simply be 'covered up' by a new filling. Drilling away the decay was needed, and in some cases the tooth became so fragile as a result that a temporary filling was put in until a crown was made/fitted. And then there were the root canals.....

You may be luckier than me....hope so. It was no fun. Probably took 8 visits to dentist, and the cost ran into thousands. But my teeth look lovely now.....

Earlybird: This all sounds horrible - maybe I'll stick with silver!

Is this dentist familiar with your teeth? How old are the silver fillings - generally? Maybe plan to have one or two replaced and see how it goes? If easy/straightforward, perhaps then proceed with having them all done?

You may have a completely different experience to me....

This is a new dentist and I went there for the first time recently to register. They had a quick count of my teeth + x-ray. It's not a dentist that has been recommended I went because it's local. My silver fillings are about 20 years old. I think your right - get one or two done and see what happens I'd hate to experience what you had to have to go through. Not sure if it's necessary to remove old silver fillings apart from a costmetic point of view?

I might just replace the ones that are visible when I laugh or talk and see how it goes. I have a history of terrible teeth so complications are to be expected.