Silver fillings (free) or white (£75)-which would you go for?

[Pawslikepaddington]

Am I horribly vain to want white? Over half of one of my molars needs covering, and the silver ones made my mum's teeth go a horrid blue colour. Am I being a horribly money waster? It will be in my mouth forever, and I spent a long time with braces etc so am really proud of my teeth and look after them really well so don't want a great silver monstrosity in it from now on.

Does your dentist not do payment plans?

Only if it is over £100, and I'm thinking I need it done before October (next student loan installment-this one is already accounted for).

Do you only need one?

Can you not add another treatment on?

ROFL at "add another one on" . I needed that Geordie! I can kind of see where they are coming from-if I'm exempt from payment I shouldn't be wanting white fillings, but this is forever we are talking about (or at least two decades )

I mean can you add the cost of your next few check-ups/scale and polishes to get you up to £100?

Ha ha thought you meant whack another tooth out!

White. I only have one filling, had it done when I was a teenager and I am so grateful that my mum paid the extra to have it done white. I don't even know which tooth it's in now.

Well.....

White. Mercury is linked to awful health problems, without sounding too alarmist, I would steer clear of it all if possible.

I am getting mine replaced one by one, and follow the process by heavy chelation (not entirely sure of the word though).

One piece of advice: don't google mercury fillings as it will scare the shit out of you.

White. I had a couple of silver ones a few years back and have never regretted anything more. No horror stories but just misery looking at a mouth of metal every time you brush your teeth.

I think White look better, but have heard they do contain chemicals that aren't good for your health.

Undoubtedly white. But white porcelain as opposed to white composite. Composite is a temporary measure and it stains overtime. I had all my 3 amalgam fillings out about five years ago and replaced by 'white fillings'
It turns out that these white fillings should have been porcelain inlays as opposed to composite. It was done in a SW practice, specialising in amalgam removal and was not cheap either. The cusps wore down very fast and this affected by bite. Not good. The protocol in removing the amalgam was however correct to the best of my knowledge. The back of the mouth must be protected by a dam to avoid inhalation/swallowing of the amalgam particles. There are some who advocate all sort of detox supplements, like charcol (very sceptical about that)but antioxidants are arguably protective.

So, if you're going to have it done, research a wide range of sources and speak to people who've had it done. Much easier today with more well regarded dentists and associations giving advice on the internet.

Composite wears down quite quickly whilst porcelain doesn't. It's not unusual to find that the tooth has been filled deeply with amalgam and is close to the nerve. If the nerve is damaged in any way, get the root canal done first and then usually a porcelain crown.

All the consequent white porcelain work I've had at the back of my mouth has been very hardwearing and has never once broken or fallen out. Glad to be rid of amalgam and the associated mercury conerns.

Meant to say 'my bite' not 'by bite.'

Arrghh, my fingers are running away with me tonight. Concern not conerns. Why can't I edit this messages and avoid PMT spelling mishaps?

Silver, who gives a shit what's in your mouth? If they do then they're superficial and not worth worrying about. If poeple want to worry about mercury worry about the fluoride they put in your mouth and from toothposte, that's another scary google...

Research is still showing silver amalgam as the longest lasting, but white fillings do look much better. Horses for courses I guess. I recently had one of my old silver ones replaced, and it was nice to see the silver disappear (it had lasted a good twenty-two years though).

Well, I do 'give a shit' what's in my mouth! An unsavoury Unpleasant connotation if ever there was one
What an odd assumption, that having white porcelain inlays at the back of your mouth would make someone 'superficial'! As opposed to consciously opting for the ugly option? It's not as though you're going to be opening your mouth and begging people to look at how lovely they are. For the most part, they're hidden when talking, unless you laugh with your mouth wide open. Anyway, there's nothing wrong with doing it for yourself unless you're on the brink of poverty and the children will go without shoes! Personally, I don't like looking at amalgam and I don't like the metallic feel of it. Anyway, everyone's superficial and vain to a certain extent, there are only degrees of it. If you can, do it and get it done by a reputable dentist.