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White filling - premolar?

Hi, I've been experiencing some tooth pain recently and my dentist recommends replacing the 1st premolar filling as it could probably be 'leaky'. This tooth is heavily filled with dark/amalgam filling and I've hated it looking so dark for a long time. I've just been looking up teeth pictures on wiki :p and my lateral incisors have never appeared, don't know why :rotfl: so my first premolars are probably more visible than other peoples.

As the tooth's to be filled anyway, I asked my dentist (NHS) if the filling could be white, he said no - but he did seem to hesitate a bit I think.

Can someone in the know advise me about this please? The filling is large, so is it necessary to be filled again with amalgam or is it possible to do a large white filling? I'm wondering if his 'no'answer is down to cost - if this could be his reason anyone any idea on how much a large white premolar filling might be privately or whatever? TIA

Comments

  • Savvy_Sue
    Savvy_Sue Posts: 46,902 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    All I know is that amalgam is best for some kinds of filling, and white fillings are best for some other kinds. That's what Toothsmith says. So it may be a clinical rather than a cost decision.
    Signature removed for peace of mind
  • tirednewdad
    tirednewdad Posts: 256 Forumite
    If the filling is very large then you might be able o request a white crown instead- although this is a more expensive option.

    You could ask the dentist whether he would be happy to place a white filling in if you paid privately for it. Unfortunatley NHS does not cover cosmetic work- which this is.
    :money: Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou to everyone who has helped.
  • tirednewdad
    tirednewdad Posts: 256 Forumite
    sorry cost wise it varies where you live but £55-£75
    :money: Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou to everyone who has helped.
  • ginvzt
    ginvzt Posts: 4,878 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Ok, my fillings have not been done in UK, as they have been done before I came here, but they are all white. I have some really big ones, where is just the shell of the tooth left, but they are all fine. They are about 15 years old now, and I can see they are wearing off a bit, and may need to be replaced. I had one amalgam filling, which I had replaces about 6 years ago, as I was very 'aware' of it. I was told that white fillings are not as hard wearing as amalgam, but for me - I'd rather have then replaced when needed than have another amalgam filling!!!!
    Spring into Spring 2015 - 0.7/12lb
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,097 Forumite
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    For very small fillings in back teeth (which a premolar is) whte filling is now the material of choice, and it was recently decreed that as such, it should be provided on the NHS when necessary. (Replacement of fillings for the sake of it is not 'necessary').

    For medium-large fillings, amalgam is still the NHS material, and white is 'cosmetic' so not covered.
    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.
  • ooooooh
    ooooooh Posts: 85 Forumite
    Thanks for the input everyone.
    For medium-large fillings, amalgam is still the NHS material, and white is 'cosmetic' so not covered.

    Is this down to cost or quality of filling please?
    sorry cost wise it varies where you live but £55-£75

    If this is the price for a private white filling that's not so much more than NHS then. I believe I'm looking at £46 ish for NHS treatment at the mo.

    Thanks guys.
  • tirednewdad
    tirednewdad Posts: 256 Forumite
    ooooooh wrote: »
    Thanks for the input everyone.



    Is this down to cost or quality of filling please?

    Short answer- mainly cost.:o

    Long Answer-
    On average, an amalgam filling will last about 7 years and a white filling about 6 and a half years- so there is not much in it.

    White fillings are more difficult to place and can be more sensitive afterwards depending on various factors. A white filling will cost about 6 times as much as a amalgam filling to be placed (for the dentist costs)


    If this is the price for a private white filling that's not so much more than NHS then. I believe I'm looking at £46 ish for NHS treatment at the mo.

    Thanks guys.

    Remember to include the cost of the NHS exam/clean/xrays so it's about#
    £55-75 plus the cost of an NHS exam.:p
    :money: Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou to everyone who has helped.
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,097 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    ooooooh wrote: »


    Is this down to cost or quality of filling please?


    Both really.

    If you have time, and take care, medium - big white fillings can be as good as amalgam, but a dentist on the NHS would soon go bankrupt if he tried to do good large white fillings instead of amalgam.
    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.
  • ooooooh
    ooooooh Posts: 85 Forumite
    Thanks again for your input, useful info :D

    As the toothache has settled I'm thinking maybe I should leave well alone for now......but then again, cosmetically I'd like to improve the look of my teeth but am a little afraid (pessimitic thoughts here) that messing around with it could lead to me losing it as the filling is big.
  • Arthurian
    Arthurian Posts: 814 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 27 June 2009 at 3:55PM
    All through my teens, twenties and early thirties I had one very big premolar black filling which my dentist had said could not be made white. He said white fillings were not strong enough. I hated it. Then, one day, I asked again if I could have a white one, and he said, "Smile." I smiled as widely as I could. "Hmm," he said, "It does stand out a bit, doesn't it?" He agreed to refill with white. Maybe as I had aged, my facial muscles showed up the filling more when I smiled. Anyway, the result has been wonderful. I wish I could have had it done years before. It completely perked up my face, and would have been worth a few hundred pounds. I think it cost me about £60 but that's peanuts considering the result. :D See? The white filling has lasted for over a decade with no trouble so far.
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