Teeth and cosmetic fillings

[Hillbeans]

I have about 4 fillings in total, two in my front molars, and two in my bottom molars. I was thinking about having white/clear ones put in where the black ones are. The black ones are so dark, they make my smile look not as nice as i'd like.

Has anyone else done this? Do they even use the dark ones anymore? Is it expensive?

 

[chrissyk]

Do you mean the composite ones? I have either 3 or 4 fillings, and all are composites. I don't know if they're any more expensive, but they're supposed to be healthier. The only problem that I've had with them is that they blend so well that my dentist can't tell what is filling and what is tooth!

 

[caitycaity]

Assuming you mean the silver amalgam kind when you say black, my old dentist was going to charge me an arm and a leg to get them refilled with the white kind. mine are not visible though, so i said forget it.

 

[mickeyboat]

My fillings are all tooth colored. I don't even know how many there are because I don't notice them.

They aren't as sturdy and silver ones and they don't last as long, but I haven't had any problem with mine.

My insurance will pay 60% of the cost of the silver filling. I have to pay the balance plus the difference in cost between the silver and tooth-colored filling. Seems like it was $25 per tooth extra for the tooth-colored one.

Denae

P.S. I am not stalking you.

 

[Hillbeans]

Yes, the composite ones.

I think my old ones are "silver" but they look really dark.

 

[Lynn CC]

DH and I had our silver fillings replaced with white about 3 years ago! They've held up nicely and our smile is pure white
I think the price range was $65-$85 per filling, but soooo worth it. I would advise going to a good cosmetic dentist to get this done. There are several materials used and some arn't as good as others. I'm sure our dentist used white porcelin (the kind that holds up for years). I had another one done by my previous dentist (notice I don't go to him anymore) and it turned out yellow instead of white
So the quality does matter.
I think you'll love your smile after it's all white. Let me know if you get it done!

 

[miste76]

I am going to school to be a dentist... This is what we have learned about amalgams (silver or black colored) as compared to Composites (tooth colored). Read the last paragraph as a caution to replacing your amalgams if they don't have to be replaced!!!
Amalgams are completly safe, there is less mercury in a mouth full of amalgam fillings than there is when you eat a can of tuna fish. There are no other health risks associated with amalgam restoration material. Amalgams are supposed to hold up better in the teeth that you use to grind food (molars and premolars). As technology advances, there are better materials and composites are getting better. Technically, you could use amalgam material to replace a larger amount of tooth than you could replace with composite. My step-father is also a dentist and his office only uses composite material. He told me, "if there's that much tooth missing, then it should be restored with a complete crown." Most professors at school (licensed dentists) do not think composite material should be used in molars.
It is unethical for a dentist to tell you that you need your amalgams replaced with composites due to health reasons. The only reason to replace amalgams is if the amalgam restoration is failing. When you take out an old restoration... you will need to do some drilling and refining of the tooth, when this refining is done... you are taking away more tooth structure with the possibility of taking away too much - hitting the pulp (root/nerve) or needing a crown due to lack of support. Just some information to be aware of.
Hope this helps!!!

 

[Hillbeans]

Miste, thanks for the info.