is it safe to replace a filling?

[bluer]

I have one metal filling that my new dentist had been on at me to replace for cosmetic reasons with a white filling. I put it off in the summer as my car had needed expensive work done. Last week I went to get it done but it was canceled due to snow. Now I looked on line and something suggested mercury may be an issue...it's a fairly old filling, about seven years, and i've no idea if it's mercury.I think my dentist is out to make money a lot...they suggest cosmetics and extras often. I'm twelve Weeks at the moment. Thanks

Hey,

I had a troublesome filling while pg and my dentist removed the mercury one and replaced it with a white one as she said they wouldn't put a mercury one in while pg. was absolutely fine. And no worries with the jab to numb it either.

You get free dental treatment while pg aswell!

Good luck.x

Hi you should wait until after the baby is born to have a metal filling removed. Unless that tooth is causing you pain in which case the filling should be removed with extra care and careful suction. This is because mercury vapour is created when the filling is removed. In all probability it would not cause any problem to the baby but it's not worth any risk unless the tooth is causing you problems. I am a dentist, hope this helps.

Thank you Simon! I think I will cancel it...it was going to be costing me a fair bit as it's a private dentist. I'm a bit annoyed tbh as the dentist knows i'm pregn thanks again!

I lost an old amalgam filling & part of my tooth last month. The dentist advised to avoid amalgam while pregnant, as outlined above.

However, I had to pay £100 for a white filling as the NHS does not cover these - although I did receive the care for free.

It's not bothering me and tbh it'll be nearly a hundred and I keep thinking about all the expense and the saving for maternity leave etc thanks guys.. You've helped me decide!

Sorry to throw a spanner in the works, but I had an amalgam filling replaced at about seven weeks and all is fine. Just had 12 week scan yesterday. And it was free, because of pg.

Department of health advice read points 10 and 13
So there is no evidence it is harmful, but best to avoid if not necessary.

Thanks again Simon I'd always err on the side of caution so I'll not be going ahead!

I broke an amalgam filling and a lot of tooth at about 20 wks pg. Dentist filled it with a white filling. All OK.

Probably it would be fine and if anything happened that meant it needed replaced then fair enough but this is really just cosmetic...and you can only see it if I open my mouth and do a Muppet impression! I've often suspected my dentist offers unneeded treatments...I got an expensive gum shelf recently as apparently I grind my teeth...strangely that's the first time i've been told that in thirty odd years