I have 6 porcelain (teeth colored) fillings from when I was 14. I'm 36. No problems yet. Maybe I just had an awesome dentist when I was teenager.

No. One dentist said I should have mine replaced. So, I went to another dentist who said that it would be unnecessary to do that. So I've stuck with the second dentist.

I'm 39 and also have about 6 silver fillings from when I was a teenager. I had no issues with any of them (20+ years) until one recently cracked and I had it replaced with a white filling. I've also had a ton of trouble with sensitivity, etc.

A reputable dentist will tell you that although the silver fillings aren't attractice, they are the gold standard in terms of functionality.

This is a very timely thread for me! My (new) dentist told me about six months ago that I need to get two old silver fillings replaced . . . I forget exactly why - not cracked, but maybe gaps?? The teeth feel totally fine. I've been putting off doing it b/c of the expense - but now it seems maybe I should keep putting it off until I actually have an issue?

I have my silver fillings from when I was a teenager and I am 42.

I agree with another poster that the dentist has a financial incentive to replace the silver with the new stuff. Unless your mouth is full of silver fillings, I would hold off.

I would be more worried with a dentist messing around in my mouth, stirring up bacteria that could cause an infection.

Find another thing to spend your money on.

I have about 10 old silver fillings and I've only replaced one that cracked (I could see the crack). I had nothing but trouble with that filling that was replaced with a porcelain onlay--previously no problems with the silver filling. I would not prophylactically replace any of my silver fillings after that ordeal--if it ain't broke. I have had the silver fillings for over 20 years with no problem. I know they contain mercury but I am careful to protect my fillings (not eating super hard things on the fillings, etc.) I think it's important to find a very conservative dentist, who usually will say leave the fillings alone unless they are causing problems or starting to get gaps around the edges.

21:30 - I'm the person with the old silver fillings. I see Dr. Paul Cohen of Cohen & Cohen on 19th st. NW downtown.

Anonymous wrote:I still have the silver filings from my braces days - all three from when I was age 9. I am now almost 57. My dentist of 25 years says they are fine, stable, and unless they are bothering me not to touch them. The filings are in my back molars so I never notice them.

You are a role model! I think if you shared your dentist's name here folks would appreciate it as it sounds like he/she gives honest advise!

Unfortunately, dentists have a financial incentive to replace/ fix things that aren't broken. Not only does the dentist profit by doing the replacement now (instead of in say, 15 years), but the replacement- like any medical procedure has risks. And these risks can translate to new dental work and more profit for the dentist.

I just want a straight and honest answer from the dentist to the question
"(Cosmetic issues aside), is it better to do it now or wait til I'm 57+!"

rant: it seems like in this country generally, we spend more on medical things (including dentistry) than other developed nations.

Its just not worth the risk unless the medical opinion can clearly convince you that your old fillings are falling apart.

Don't forget that when they are drilling the old stuff out, there will be mercury dust/ fumes/ particles flying about. Your dentist and his/her assistant will have a mask on to mitigate that risk. You won't !

For folks who had theirs replaced with the non-metal replacement and really liked it, with no complications, where did you go? If I thought there was a reputable dentist that would remove mine, I would do this, as i've heard I'm vulnerable for mine coming out sometime in the next 5-10 years....

I would like to go to someone with a great track record with this.

I still have the silver filings from my braces days - all three from when I was age 9. I am now almost 57. My dentist of 25 years says they are fine, stable, and unless they are bothering me not to touch them. The filings are in my back molars so I never notice them.