White Fillings vs Amalgam fillings

mikeyboy1980

Hello,

I am a long time lurker on the site, first time posting though!

I wonder if anyone can offer some advice. Basically, hadn't visited the dentist for a few years (about 5 years in total *slap on wrist* i know!) but finally got my a** into gear and booked an appointment.

I couldn't find an NHS dentist anywhere near me willing to take on new patients, so ended up going private.

It appears I need a few bits doing to bring my smile back upto scratch. The things needed are:

1. I have a small chip in my front tooth, dentist has recommended a small white filling here.

2. I need 4 fillings towards the back of my mouth, 1 of which is from an old filling which seems to have fallen out without me even noticing!

3. 40 minute session with a Hygenist to do a deep clean.

The dentist has given me the option of having the back fillings with Amalgam or White 'composite' I am a little confused about which option to go for. Obviously the front one needs to be white from an aesthetic point of view.

The cost difference is quite substantial.

I have been quoted approx £400 for everything above using amalgam for back fillings and white for the small front filling. This price includes the cost of the hygenist 40 mins as well.

OR

All white composite at a cost of circa £650.This cost also includes 40 mins with hygenist.


Not sure which option to go for! I can stretch to the dearer one if needed, but whats best from a medical point of view?

The practice then offers a practice plan which costs £12.50 a month but includes two check-ups and 45 mins with a hygenist each year, along with 20% off all future treatments. Sounds like good deal?

Sorry for the long winded post, just want to get peoples opinions.

Thanks

alison999

mikeyboy1980 wrote: »

The practice then offers a practice plan which costs £12.50 a month but includes two check-ups and 45 mins with a hygenist each year, along with 20% off all future treatments. Sounds like good deal?

personally, id find a denplan dentist, and deoending on what group you'd fall into you could pay between £12.00 (a) or £45 (e - worst) per month and have all your treatment paid for. those prices might not be 100% accurate, i think it depends on the dentist but they cant be that far off.

edit: that is purely from a financial point of view; if youre happy and comfortable with your dentist you should stick with them.

donteatthat

Hi. Will to try to answer without giving medical advice lol.
The lifespan of fillings will depend really on the size of them, how carefully they are put in, and how well you look after them. White fills are not always longer lasting over larger areas, but they look so much better I always do them where I can.

I don't offer plans but they can be good value and offer a good reason to keep up the regular visits, which will all help in prevention of further problems.

HTH

det

bank_of_slate

Hi Mikey, have you had this discussion with your dentist, only he/she knows the size, depth and amount of decay in your teeth.
There are pro's and cons with both materials and many factors as det advised above.
Are the back teeth particularly noticable when you laugh/smile? if so then consider the white composite fillings.
Ask your dentist to show you the x-rays (and if they have one, in your mouth with an intra-oral camera)
you can then discuss which is the best, clinically advised and ideally long term option for each tooth and make an informed decision about what you'd like to do
...Linda xx

Toothsmith

What those others said!

Charis

alison999 wrote: »

personally, id find a denplan dentist, and deoending on what group you'd fall into you could pay between £12.00 (a) or £45 (e - worst) per month and have all your treatment paid for. those prices might not be 100% accurate, i think it depends on the dentist but they cant be that far off.

edit: that is purely from a financial point of view; if youre happy and comfortable with your dentist you should stick with them.

I'm with Denplan but have been told that the insurance doesn't cover lab work, so crowns and dentures are not covered. That won't worry the OP but it might worry someone else considering Denplan. The dentist's time making the casts & fitting the crown or dentures is included in Denplan, but the lab costs can be considerable.

mikeyboy1980

Thanks for all your replies so far,much appreciated! :beer:

I think i am leaning towards paying the extra for the white fillings, the dentist has said it would be best to do the work over three appointments, so i guess i can spread the cost more this way.

Would you say the costs they have quoted are reasonable?

Many thanks for all your input!

Sunnyday

If it was me personally i would go with the white.
I only have one amalgam filling right at the back and boy do i wish i`d not.
My only other filling is a white one and you wouldn`t know it was there at all.
HTH
SD

Toothsmith

Charis wrote: »

I'm with Denplan but have been told that the insurance doesn't cover lab work, so crowns and dentures are not covered. That won't worry the OP but it might worry someone else considering Denplan. The dentist's time making the casts & fitting the crown or dentures is included in Denplan, but the lab costs can be considerable.

But vastly cheaper than full price.

With me, for example, a full gold crown on a molar would be £325. For a Denplan patient it would be c. £80.

And crowns and dentures are rarely needed on a frequent basis usually.

alison999

Charis wrote: »

I'm with Denplan but have been told that the insurance doesn't cover lab work, so crowns and dentures are not covered. That won't worry the OP but it might worry someone else considering Denplan. The dentist's time making the casts & fitting the crown or dentures is included in Denplan, but the lab costs can be considerable.

thats because it goes out of the practice. but to pay £12.50 p/month just to be on someones list, i think, is appauling