Need a filling, what type to have?

katyjarvis40 · 15 September 2007 at 5:40PM

I'm having a filling done on Monday, (got a temporary one in the moment, put in by the emergency clinic), but I'm not sure whether a metal one or silver?.

I was going to get them all done white, (need about 5) I have been reading up on them, and now I'm even more confused

. I'm seeing a private dentist as my very nervous partner had a very bad experience with our NHS dentist, which has in turn made me a very nervous patient. I seen a dentist the other day at the NHS practice and he was going to do them all metal and gave a blank expression when I asked about white fillings?, I felt very rushed and there was no care what so ever, and I feel I need to trust someone before I let them into my mouth.

I want something longlasting and I'm verging towards metal ones?

Thanks

Katy

Savvy_Sue · 16 September 2007 at 1:38AM

In case Toothsmith doesn't come online over the weekend, I know he says that white fillings are more technique sensitive than amalgam, ie easier to mess up. So if they're not going to be visible, he would see no problem with amalgam.

Something like that anyway. You could try searching for his posts and white fillings on this board.

BTW, I don't think I've seen any of the other regular dentists disagree with him, either.

ceridwen · 16 September 2007 at 8:02AM

But silver (ie amalgam) fillings have mercury in!!!!!!! Thats why I only have white fillings these days - even if they dont show.

Or - do you know something I dont about ingredients of white fillings?

ceridwen · 16 September 2007 at 8:19AM

Have just checked a book I have "The Natural Dentist" by Brian Halvorsen. He says amalgam fillings are 50% mercury. He seems a bit undecided about whether mercury can cause health problems - but I have read other stuff (cant remember where) that indicates it does. He gives ingredients of white fillings as being "a very advanced form of acrylic (plastic) and a filler. This can be very finely ground quartz (glass) or silica (sand) to put it crudely".

At the time he wrote the book (1986) white fillings tended not to last as long - but, even then, they lasted a reasonable time and I would imagine they have improved since then.

You may be interested to know:

www.mercuryfreedentistry.org.uk

(the association for dentists who practice mercury free dentistry I gather).

I think there are differences of opinion amongst dentists STILL re mercury - but then some dentists apparently still think fluoride is a good idea!!!:eek:

donteatthat · 16 September 2007 at 8:51AM

Without seeing the size of the holes it's hard to advise.

Amalgam/silver/metal are really one and the same. The other options to fill holes are composite (white) fillings or gold or ceramic.

Dentist have the highest exposure to mercury vapour when amalgam fillings are removed, and as far as I know there are no studys that show us to have problems because of this. Having said this, if it was not discredited in some way it may be more difficult for newer materials to gain such acceptance. There seems to be some emerging evidence that the components of white fillings may be carginogenic so they are not an excuse not to use amalgam. The only real inert thing you can put in the mouth is titanium I guess. But its not in fillings!!

Yes the old composite materials were poor, but they are very technique sensitive, even these days but you can get good long term restorations with it as long as they are placed carefully.

If the holes are big composite may not be suitable as it tends to wear away quicker, and you may wish to ask about a ceramic restoration instead if you want a tooth coloured filling.

I think wherever possible stay away from the NHS if you want good long term quality dental care without the job being done in a rush.

HTH

donteatthat

katyjarvis40 · 16 September 2007 at 10:36AM

donteatthat wrote: »

Without seeing the size of the holes it's hard to advise.

Amalgam/silver/metal are really one and the same. The other options to fill holes are composite (white) fillings or gold or ceramic.

Dentist have the highest exposure to mercury vapour when amalgam fillings are removed, and as far as I know there are no studys that show us to have problems because of this. Having said this, if it was not discredited in some way it may be more difficult for newer materials to gain such acceptance. There seems to be some emerging evidence that the components of white fillings may be carginogenic so they are not an excuse not to use amalgam. The only real inert thing you can put in the mouth is titanium I guess. But its not in fillings!!

Yes the old composite materials were poor, but they are very technique sensitive, even these days but you can get good long term restorations with it as long as they are placed carefully.

If the holes are big composite may not be suitable as it tends to wear away quicker, and you may wish to ask about a ceramic restoration instead if you want a tooth coloured filling.

I think wherever possible stay away from the NHS if you want good long term quality dental care without the job being done in a rush.

HTH

donteatthat

The hole I am getting fillled tomorrow is quite big virtually the whole of the middle of the tooth was drilled out.

The NHS dentist I was going to go too gave me the impression it would be done in a rush. I think he was wanting to do all my fillings in a 30 min appointment. I just didn't feel confident going back there at all. It's a shame because I have a baby also and all my treatment would have been free.

Edit:- I'm sure there are some great NHS dentists out there, the lady I seen at the NHS emergency clinic was lovely, I wish she could have been my dentist.

Thanks!

donteatthat · 16 September 2007 at 11:15AM

Yes you are right there are some excellent dentists trying to make the NHS system work.

LondonDiva · 16 September 2007 at 6:26PM

There is no proof of danger from malgam fillings. It's in the same MMR jab scare mongering. There's was a recent study in the US tracking exposure in children ~ no adverse effects what so ever.

Dentists use/work with the stuff all the time (even when they are pregnant) and there's been no reported problems.

Savvy_Sue · 17 September 2007 at 12:43AM

ceridwen wrote: »

But silver (ie amalgam) fillings have mercury in!!!!!!! Thats why I only have white fillings these days - even if they dont show.

Or - do you know something I dont about ingredients of white fillings?

I only know what Toothsmith has said, he has no issues with using amalgam fillings where appropriate, for all the reasons given by others below. You wouldn't want to eat the chemicals which go into a white filling - but then you don't, do you?

Toothsmith · 17 September 2007 at 8:52AM

There are also more and more cases of 'Mercury free' dentists in the states being struck off, or severely reprimanded for making false or misleading claims about amalgam fillings.

If mercury is your concern, then it is far more important to remove fish from your diet than it is to have your metal fillings drilled out.

domdent · 17 September 2007 at 9:07AM

A few points to consider

When the hole in the tooth gets to a certain size full cuspal coverage (to prevent the tooth cracking) should be used with gold or porcelain.

Do you see fillings as a temporary fix with the eventual loss of teeth and then having dentures OR do want your teeth fixing with fillings/crowns that will last 20 yrs

white fillings are very sensitive to moisture Rubber Dam is essential
http://www.delhidentist.in/patterson%20dental%20dam.pdf

The patient should be wearing safety glasses in the pics.

At our clinic we use Rubber Dam for all fillings .

In the latest guidlines from the BDA it was recomended that whenever possible Rubber dam should be used to reduce aerosol contamination

Need a filling, what type to have?

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