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White fillings on NHS

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know if I can have a white filling done on the NHS. I currently have a grey/silver one but it's visible when I smile and looks awful :(
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Comments

  • IIRC white fillings on back teeth are not available on the NHS. But they will do white front fillings.
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,097 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Cosmetic dentistry is not available on the NHS.

    Having a filling replaced because it 'looks awful' is a cosmetic reason.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • D4WNO
    D4WNO Posts: 610 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    Well it does need replacing as the tooth has actually cracked, I was just wandering if I could pay extra when it's done or anything. Looks like I'll have to go private :(
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,571 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    My NHS dentist has done this for me. Every time a filling needs changing, I have it replaced with a white filling. He charges the NHS fee for the work and extra for the white filling.
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,097 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Mojisola wrote: »
    My NHS dentist has done this for me. Every time a filling needs changing, I have it replaced with a white filling. He charges the NHS fee for the work and extra for the white filling.

    He could get into quite a bit of trouble for this if it were ever found out.

    Technically he is claiming taxpayers money in order to provide cheap cosmetic dentistry for his patients.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,097 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    D4WNO wrote: »
    Well it does need replacing as the tooth has actually cracked, I was just wandering if I could pay extra when it's done or anything. Looks like I'll have to go private :(

    If it needs replacing, then you could 'choose' to have it replaced privately with white filling. Better to do it this way than to have it all drilled out yet again really soon after it's been filled.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • Drea
    Drea Posts: 9,892 Forumite
    Toothsmith, while your here, how much should a white filling be? A very shallow filling if that makes any difference.
    Just because you made a mistake doesn't mean you are a mistake.
  • summerday
    summerday Posts: 1,351 Forumite
    Yes my dentist did, I was a bit worried about the mercury as there is a strong incidence of early onset Alzheimers in my family and research I have read suggests (not necessarily proves) that mercury could be a risk factor, when I told her she let me pay extra for a white filling.
    Yesterday is today's memories, tomorrow is today's dreams :)
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,097 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    How much material doesn't make a difference - that's not the expensive bit. It's how long it takes.

    To do a white filling well takes a good half hour to 45min. Most dental practices run at a cost of about £200 ph. But dearer in dearer areas like city centres, probably a bit cheaper in more rural areas.

    From that a cost of about £100 to £150 would be pretty reasonable - so long as the dentist really does spend a decent amount of time on it.

    White filling is a very technique-sensitive material. If it's not done very well, then it really could harm the survival chances of the tooth. For that reason, I would always be very suspicious of cheap quick white fillings.

    Amalgam is much more forgiving.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • Drea
    Drea Posts: 9,892 Forumite
    Oh, I was given an estimate of £60 for a white filling but decided to go with NHS and get the normal silver one.

    My work friend got a white filling for only £34 though so I actually thought my dentist must be expensive :o

    Shows how much I know :p
    Just because you made a mistake doesn't mean you are a mistake.
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