White filling - discolouration

Snuggles

Hi, I wonder if some of the very helpful dentists who post on here could answer a question about white fillings.

I had one done several years ago on a front tooth and it had turned a brownish colour. I now see a private dentist (who is generally very good), and he replaced it for me six months ago.

On the day it was done, I had a look whilst still in the dentist's surgery and was very happy with it, it was a great improvement, you really couldn't see the filling. But the very next day I was with my sister and she said she thought I had something stuck in my teeth. I had a look and it was the filling! It seemed to have turned a yellowy colour which doesn't match the colour of my tooth. I kept thinking I should go back to the dentist and ask about it but never got around to it, and I decided it didn't look too bad.

The other day I was back for my six month check up, and he cleaned and polished my teeth. Later that day, another person told me I had something stuck in my teeth! Sure enough when I looked the filling is an orangey colour and is really noticeable. I don't know if I just hadn't realised before, or if the clean and polish has made the colour worse. I've noticed that the colour looks far worse in daylight than it does under artificial light, and I think that might be why I haven't realised how bad it is, as I would usually look at it under artificial light.

My question is, is it normal for a white filling to discolour so quickly and why would it turn orange?! If I go back to the dentist now, could I reasonably expect him to sort it out free of charge, or would I have to pay again as I've had the filling for six months?

Many thanks,
Snuggles

coldstreamalways

I think it would be difficult to say how quickly it will discolour without knowing exactly what material was used. Saying "white filling" is like saying metal frying pan, there are stacks of different ones each with their own uses and limitations. So with that in mind, can you think of any contributing factors you may have? Smoking, Red Wine, Tea, Coffee, Liquorice, Curries etc etc? I couldn't comment on you having to pay for it but I would expect a cosmetic (ie at the front) filling to last more than six months before getting stained. Sometimes if you don't get the edges spot on, they can get stained but that's easily polished.

You really should go back to your dentist and ask.

PS Don't know why it would go orange!

sunshine_1988

Ive got a white filling at the back of my mouth, when I had it done it was very pearly white but now its faded to a kind of cream colour. I mentioned it to my dentist (also private) he just said that its like a tooth and whatever I eat/drink will discolour it. It isnt very noticable though and it defo isnt orange!! Plus I have had mine for 5 years.
I would mention it and see what they say..surely there must be an explanation!

Toothsmith

It's a very hard thing to comment on without seeing it.

You really need to ask the dentist who did it, and who can actually see it in front of him.

It would be unusual for any modern material to discolour through it's full thickness so quickly. Which would mean it's something on the surface, more likely.

So, it could either be something to do with the surface of the filling (rough, unpolished or poor edge) or something to do with what you do (medications, smoking, diet, unusual balance of mouth bacteria). Or a combination of them both.

It needs someone who can see everything in the round.

joyfull

I had a broken tooth last week and the dentist just smoothed it off and added a white filler to fill in the gap. Well, it was white on the day but has since turned a yellowy orange! I don't eat indian food, smoke, keep teeth v clean etc. Very odd, fortunately doesn't show unless I open wide.

We had a thread recently about someone's new dentures turning yellow at the back.

Could it be some new substance (cheaper?) being used in dentistry that is reacting with food, toothpaste, or something?

edit - I have a couple of small white fillings which I've had for many years which have not gone this strange colour.

WisdomTooth

Amalgam fillings

these have been in use since the 1800's
lost favor due to the mercury content.

Composite fillings

made of plastic resin and finely ground glass
(colour matched to patients teeth )
big drawback is the cost .

Resin ionomer

tooth-colored filling materials that contain a resin and fluoride

Snuggles

Thanks for the comments everyone, I could kick myself now for not mentioning this to the dentist when I was there for my check up, but i hadn't realised how bad it was.

I don't smoke, I do drink tea and coffee (in moderation) and the odd glass of red wine, but I still wouldn't have expected the filling to discolour so badly in six months (and actually it did seem to discolour within days of having it done).

The filling is quite long, all down the side edge of the tooth, but I have no idea what the filling material is. The only medication I take is Ranitidine.

I will have to get myself back to the dentist to see if he can sort it out.

Thanks again.