Replace old silver (amalgam) fillings with new stuff

[Anonymous]

Anyone do this. I replaced 4 old silver fillings today. Im 44 had no issues w the old silver fillings and am hoping that this was the right decision. My dentist said, eventually - yes they would need to be replaced but it wasnt urgent.

Anybody care to share your experience?

[Anonymous]

I did this and LOVE it. I've had no issues at all (no sensitivity cracking, etc). Same place as you -older fillings that weren't in urgent need of replacing. And I really like that when I smile you don't see ugly silver fillings.

[Anonymous]

Thats goood to hear! Thanks so much. I hope for the same outcome!!!

[Anonymous]

I replaced one with the plastic filling and it's been trouble ever since. I've have it replaced since and it's finally getting better (sensitivity). A three year ordeal.

[Anonymous]

I had several older fillings that were failing replaced, and no problems. It looks better, too--the metal fillings were dark and dirty looking; the new ones aren't even visible.

[Anonymous]

I have heard that each time you get a new filling they have to grind down the tooth more. So you might be wearing out your teeth (and heading to root canal) a little bit faster. I would do it only on teeth that are visible to the smile.

[Anonymous]

I heard that the new, white fillings contract more after a while and that's why they need replaced more?
But yeah I can't stand silver fillings.

[Anonymous]

They do have to drill more into the tooth in order to have a clean surface to apply the new material.

so yes my concern too, is that the whole process weakens the tooth, making it more likely to chip, and/or increases the risk for sensitivity.

The risk of not doing it is further decay to the old fillings and the possibility of even greater complications down the line.

It's actually not an easy decision.

[Anonymous]

I heard that the fillings are only good for 20 years. So yes, I'm in my 40 and I think I have all new fillings. And yup, I'll most likely do it again in my 60s.

or will I have dentures then? I remember my grandparents with dentures in their 60s, but my parents are in their 70s and still have their teeth - less a few crowns.

I just remind my dentist that I can push out babies faster than she does the fillings. (push, not the whole labor bit). That is the part that bothers me. The time and pain. I did natural childbirth and I swear getting your teeth worked on is longer.

[Anonymous]

Will your insurance cover it?

[Anonymous]

I haven't slept a full night in six weeks because of new fillings and I've been back 3 times to try to fix them. I'm still in almost constant pain. Don't fix it unless its broke!

[Anonymous]

"I have heard that each time you get a new filling they have to grind down the tooth more. So you might be wearing out your teeth (and heading to root canal) a little bit faster. I would do it only on teeth that are visible to the smile."

True. I ended up with a root canal in my 20s because I had a filling that kept falling out (it probably wasn't done well the first few times), and ultimately it got too close to the nerve. I'm in my 40s and my dentist has been watching my old fillings for a number of years, his concern being that if one becomes too lose then bad bacteria can get underneath it and cause problems. So far, I have had one 20+ y.o. filling replaced two years ago, and it has been fine. And yes, insurance covered it.

[Anonymous]

I replaced one silver filling and wish I hadn't. My tooth is very sensitive now and I'm afraid if it gets any worse, I may be looking forward to a root canal! It was fine before I replaced the filling.

[Anonymous]

I'd rather not touch the filling if it is not giving me trouble. The silver amalgam fillings are supposed to be long term, so as long as they are holding - I am not replacing them. The new plastic stuff is supposed to be less durable .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't slept a full night in six weeks because of new fillings and I've been back 3 times to try to fix them. I'm still in almost constant pain. Don't fix it unless its broke!

I am sorry for you and the rest of you who have had bad experiences. Truly sucks to electively try to improve things only to make them worse. Geneic, Luck of the draw I guess. Or bad dentists.