• Dental Phobia Support

    Welcome! This is an online support group for anyone who is has a severe fear of the dentist or dental treatment. Please note that this is NOT a general dental problems or health anxiety forum! You can find a list of them here.

    Register now to access all the features of the forum.

I'm thinking of asking for a replacement filling.

K

kiefm

Former Member
I'm thinking of asking to have one of my amalgam fillings replaced with a composite. I'm not keen on having so much metal in my mouth. How likely is it that the dentist will agree to this?

How do fillings wear out? Is there a way I can wear down my amalgam filling so it needs to be replaced. How safe is it to remove a filling?

Thanks
 
Its not ethical for a dentist to replace a sound filling. There are numerous studies that show that you'll be exposed to more metal (due to the aerosol created when drilling out the old amalgam) if the filling were to be taken out. You're better off keeping what you have.
 
No problem :)
 
I asked a private dentist how much it would cost for my 5 tiny amalgam fillings (most 35 years old) to be replaced with white.
They wanted £165 each!!!!!!! :scared:

My dentist refuses to re do them in silver, even though they feel thin and taste silvery and are ultra sensitive, so I thought I'd see how much they cost privately. I won't bother....unless I win the lottery.
 
If they are 'ultra sensitive' and feel awful to you...that is a reason to consider doing something....since you are unhappy about it for more than cosmetic reasons but would it change anything?
What is causing this ultra-sensitivity in your case? Maybe just do one and see if that makes any difference. I would never advise changing them en masse because composites are so technique sensitive, you need to be sure the dentist is up to scratch before possibly letting yourself in for loads of ongoing sensitivity issues and unnecessary expense. The worst case scenario is that the nerve dies and you need a root canal.

I've had one replaced where the nerve in the tooth had strange numb sensations but not pain and it has worked a treat. Cost wise....what you have been quoted seems fairly high but it really is best to have a skilful experienced person (have they done any advanced restorative dentistry courses?)...they are not taught to a very high level in dental school I understand. What I am saying is a cheap composite can be a very nasty result indeed....I'm guessing there's a reason the NHS clings to amalgam and it's not just cost probably.

I suspect if you could bring yourself to use a sensitive toothpaste such as Sensodyne Total Care Fresh (very mild), your sensitivity would improve dramatically.
 
Its not ethical for a dentist to replace a sound filling. There are numerous studies that show that you'll be exposed to more metal (due to the aerosol created when drilling out the old amalgam) if the filling were to be taken out. You're better off keeping what you have.

You are not better off keeping a 'failing amalgam' for these reasons though...the main reason for not changing silver fillings for white unnecessarily in my book is that the additional trauma to the tooth might cause you need a root canal/crown etc etc and that if it is done badly you may be left with ongoing sensitivity issues you didn't have before.
I think the dentists who specialise in 'safe amalgam removal' are overplaying the dangers a bit t.b.h.
 
If they are 'ultra sensitive' and feel awful to you...that is a reason to consider doing something....since you are unhappy about it for more than cosmetic reasons but would it change anything?
What is causing this ultra-sensitivity in your case? Maybe just do one and see if that makes any difference. I would never advise changing them en masse because composites are so technique sensitive, you need to be sure the dentist is up to scratch before possibly letting yourself in for loads of ongoing sensitivity issues and unnecessary expense. The worst case scenario is that the nerve dies and you need a root canal.

I've had one replaced where the nerve in the tooth had strange numb sensations but not pain and it has worked a treat. Cost wise....what you have been quoted seems fairly high but it really is best to have a skilful experienced person (have they done any advanced restorative dentistry courses?)...they are not taught to a very high level in dental school I understand. What I am saying is a cheap composite can be a very nasty result indeed....I'm guessing there's a reason the NHS clings to amalgam and it's not just cost probably.

I suspect if you could bring yourself to use a sensitive toothpaste such as Sensodyne Total Care Fresh (very mild), your sensitivity would improve dramatically.

I told my new dentist, and old dentist, they were horribly sensitive, and asked if they could be relpaced as they were 35 years old.
I thought they were coming to the end of their life, so thought it made more sense to replace now, rather than wait for problems with them.
But Gordon said they will last 80 years! Which I certainly never expected.

If I was having them replaced, I'd go for white ones, just because they look nice.
But it would have to be NHS white, as they are MUCH cheaper than the private quote.
All 5 of my fillings were extremely small and minor, so I wouldn't expect them to have to go drilling into a neve or anything.
But as they are apparenly going to last longer than I thought, then I guess I should leave them alone, as dentist x-rayed all teeth and said they were fine.

All my teeth are sensitive anyway, I just feel a different kind of sensitivity on the fillings. A "boring" sensation to cold things.
That's why I don't really want that filling without it being numb. But he def says I don't need it numb.

I shall find that toothpaste in the supermarket and see if I can get a sniff of it first. Though they are sealed, so might not be able too. Though normally the stench is so bad I can smell it a mile away....If the smell is neutral, it might be ok...

;) xxx
 
I'm not sure what Gordon bases his 80 years on - has anyone really been around long enough to know for sure...it may be technically possible but that doesn't mean every amalgam filling will last 80 years...some of mine are at 40 years and some have failed....I won't be changing any without good reason.
No doubt one placed by Gordon would likely last 80 years ;) - he can't do his own though!
 
All my teeth are sensitive anyway, I just feel a different kind of sensitivity on the fillings. A "boring" sensation to cold things.
That's why I don't really want that filling without it being numb. But he def says I don't need it numb.

It's not his tooth though is it....I had one done (not UK) where I was told LA wasn't essential but had it anyway; but it didn't work because they cocked up the placement of the LA (my first question on this forum resulted) and the filling was completed with me giving 'stop signals'...pain wasn't horrendous because most of it was drilling out the amalgam.....but not an experience I would wish to repeat...sorry I'm not helping you here am I?
 
You are better off to keep the existing fillings as long as possible. Composite fillings have an average life span of 5-7 years. The tooth is prepped to giving a better bonding surface.

As far as sensitivity, there are prescription toothpastes for extreme sensitivity. Brushing for many years can be causing some sensitivity as it can remove enamel and sensitivity is a known side effect. If your gums are receding due to gum disease then this can also cause sensitivity.
 
You are better off to keep the existing fillings as long as possible. Composite fillings have an average life span of 5-7 years. The tooth is prepped to giving a better bonding surface.

As far as sensitivity, there are prescription toothpastes for extreme sensitivity. Brushing for many years can be causing some sensitivity as it can remove enamel and sensitivity is a known side effect. If your gums are receding due to gum disease then this can also cause sensitivity.

I can't use toothpaste though....
Though I'm going to see if I can find that one Brit mentioned. Though I've not seen it, so don't think it's in the UK.

My gums look fine to me, but dentist said I was starting with slight gum disease. (Thought we all were....)

My teeth are def more sensitive from a year ago. He polished them and it was agony. He looked at me like I was bonkers.
I didn't need a scale, but after the brutal cleaning of 2 years ago, not sure I could go through that again.
My teeth never recovered from it. I swear he damaged them. X-ray shows dentine exposed between lower inner front teeth, that can only have come from his clean, as that area was fine until then, then has hurt ever since.
It's not like they needed that level of cleaning anyway. I go every 6 months....
 
You are not better off keeping a 'failing amalgam' for these reasons though...the main reason for not changing silver fillings for white unnecessarily in my book is that the additional trauma to the tooth might cause you need a root canal/crown etc etc and that if it is done badly you may be left with ongoing sensitivity issues you didn't have before.
I think the dentists who specialise in 'safe amalgam removal' are overplaying the dangers a bit t.b.h.

I never said you should keep a failing amalgam...it definitely should be replaced with whatever material is appropriate. I said no dentist should replace a sound filling.
 

Similar threads

Back
Top