What counts as a front tooth on NHS?

leitmotif

I've just been to the dentist and need two fillings. I'm aware that composite can be done on the NHS if it's near the front. The dentist said I could do these as amalgam or composite, but composite wouldn't be on the NHS, so I chose the composite and it comes to £240 for the two fillings. However, on reflection only one of the fillings needs to be on back teeth. The other filling is going in the first lower premolar behind the canine tooth, which is pretty visible. Does that not count as being near enough the front for composite to be done on the NHS? The tooth furthest forward that I've had a filling in previously happens to be the tooth behind that premolar (i.e. the second premolar), and I recall getting that one done as a composite on the NHS. However, I can't find anything on the Internet specifying what the policy is or should be.


Any ideas?

adandem

I think I read once that anything behind a fang would not be eligible for a white filling.
I want to get one of mine replaced, it's next to the fang but I think it's noticeable.

brook2jack

In Scotland and NI any filling behind the canine (the eye tooth) that involves the biting surface of the tooth has to be done in amalgam.

Unfortunately there is no published list of what is and isn't available on the NHS in England , but , in general, most dentists would apply the same rules except when the filling is very shallow and involves the biting surface only.