Thinking of Replacing Your Old Silver Fillings With White Ones?... Be Careful!
What I've learned:
If you're going to have your old silver fillings replaced with nice white fillings (also known as "composite fillings", "porcelain fillings" or "tooth colored fillings"), be prepared for a series of Crowns and Root Canals in your immediate future.
Here's how things went for me...
I had good dental insurance, so I thought I'd take the time to replace all of those old silver fillings that I'd had since childhood with nice new white fillings.
The goal: No more mouth-full-of-silver whenever I smiled big.
The reality: Serious dental work in every quadrant of my mouth.
I didn't do it because I was concerned about the amount of mercury in silver fillings.
And it wasn't purely out of vanity that I chose to have all of my silver fillings replaced.
It was a well-thought out decision that I arrived at with the help of my dentist (whom I adore).
Why I Decided To Switch Out My Silver Fillings For White Ones
You see, two of my teeth had started to turn gray from the silver seeping through the tooth enamel itself. This is normal and natural -- particularly with silver amalgam fillings from the 1970's.
The problem was those "gray teeth" were in the front of my mouth, and as a result, it was starting to look like those teeth were dead or something. It wasn't attractive, to say the least.
I'd had my eye on those two teeth for years, and I watched as the gray color became progressively darker.
In all, I had 7 silver fillings that needed to be replaced. The dentist decided to do them on two different days, that way only one side of my mouth would be numbed at a time.
As part of the process of removing the old silver fillings, 4 of my teeth had to be drilled practically down to the nub to make room for the new white fillings.
The other 3 had to be drilled down so far that they barely even resembled teeth anymore; they required Crowns.
Things I've Since Learned About Silver vs White Fillings
These are things that I've learned from the many different dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants who have had their hands in my mouth over the course of the past 11 months trying to fix this mess!...
- Back in the 70's, dentists used to drill out way more "good" tooth than they needed to. They didn't know better. That was just the way everyone did fillings at that time.
- Add to this the fact that when you're replacing fillings, you have to first drill out all the old filling, plus a little more. This is to make sure you've got a good surface on which to adhere the new filling. (The same would be true with any form of dentalwork on a tooth with pre-existing dentalwork.)
- Whenever you drill that much tooth away, you're opening up a whole new set of problems. Specifically... any cracks, nerve issues, hidden fractures, etc.
I look at it like this... In my case, after 30+ years of living with the same silver fillings (and having no other dental work besides fillings all those years), all of my teeth had comfortably found their own places inside my mouth. The nooks & crannies were all relative to one another, and everything was harmonious. But when I changed the shape, the contents, or the neighbor of one tooth (or, in my case 7 teeth!), then it messed up overall environment inside my mouth. All of the tiny changes that took place as a result of replacing the fillings forced my teeth to then re-settle and find a new "comfort zone" inside my mouth. Plus, all that "hollowing out" of my previously silver-filled teeth made those teeth extra vulnerable. Out of the blue, those teeth were now exposed to air, and gaps, and all-new (white) filling material. Not to mention the fact that the nerves inside those teeth had been awakened from their deep sleep.
- Then there's the fact that white porcelain fillings have other disadvantages like they don't seal the cavity as well, and they may also irritate the existing nerve within a tooth.
- To top it all off... I'm told that white porcelain fillings don't last as long either. Get this: They need to be replaced every few years! I wish I'd know that before I switched out every filling in my mouth!!!
I only wish I'd read this first! (This too.)
UPDATE: Well, my story actually got much crazier. I had to get a series of crowns (I've had 3... or 4... actually, I've lost count) and root canals. Neither of which is very scary -- unless things go wrong.
As a result of all this change of fillings, I had to have 4 root canals in less than 6 months -- and one of them "went wrong". The dentist (a different dentist than the one who did my fillings) simply didn't get every bit of the root or nerve out of one tooth, so decay and pain were a huge problem for many long weeks. In the end, I had to have a second root canal on that same tooth! This time, I had to go to a different dental specialist who could "undo" the root canal that had previously been done (they use "permanent" cement-type sealants!), then go in deeper and get the remaining nerve.
That still resulted in many months (not weeks) of pain for some reason. And to this day, I have still a lot of sensitivity in that tooth. How... when I supposedly don't have any nerve left in that tooth, I don't understand. But the feeling is there, trust me.
Lisa - Unless there are "problems" with your teeth, then It's COMPLETELY your choice, not the dentist's. I'd get a 2nd opinion.
With that said, many people do it and have no problems. Some, like me, had a series of issues right after switching out the fillings. Everyone's different.
I just went to a new dentist after not going for 7 years and when I was done they told me that I need to replace all my 12 silver fillings, I'm not sure if thats what I want to do after reading all these stories, my teeth don't bother me why should I bother them. Did I mention that I'm deathly afraid of the dentist I hate going anyway.
I had pain on the left side of my mouth. I got my teeth cleaned and the pain went a way. The Dentist recommended me to a peridontist as he said I have peridontal disease and need my teeth proffessionally scraped or they will fall out... He also said I need some fillings replaced after he took X-rays A($250.)
After having one filling on the second appointment, they then informed me that I would need 10! fillings replaced. My mouth dropped. (thinking, these teeth aren't bothering me?) They then said, yes, you have decay under them and showed me the xrays with the little darkening behind them... suggested I make an appointment asap. I have one grey filling, I hate it. Yes, those white???(grey!) fillings are extremely sensitive, and I do not want 10 more of them. What ever happened to the white fillings they put in the outside front of our teeth?
I bet they are getting that filling stuff for pennies. The last dentist I went to replaced one of my fillings while he was doing 2 root canals I did not even know it because I was numbed up with novacaine. (I had good insurance) Now, I wonder if those even needed to be done. The filling still hurts all the time, and especially when I eat. The tooth he worked on was a front bottom tooth that he shaved off half of the tooth! Also, I think he charged me and the Insurance co! These guys are in it for the $$$, don't kid yourself. Go get your teeth cleaned on a regular basis, Get a personal reference to a dentist and ask them questions. Brush as many times a day as you can, (Can you still buy the Pearl drops? Get a water pik too! cut the sugar, it is poison, dip your toothbrush in listerine as a finally rinse to kill bacteria that promotes tooth decay. Eat broccoli, carrots, and asparagus for cancer prevention. No sodas! Stay away from the cancer doctors, they know exactly how much $ they can make on each patient and how long all the treatment will take until it kills. ($250k) per patient. There is a cure and God put it here for us. Eat your fruit and vegetables!It is all about the money, read Kevin Trudeas book: things they don't want you to know.
My company was bought out so I had to switch insurance companies. Went in for a check-up and the dentist told me I needed a crown and two fillings replaced. He told me there was some decay under the old crown (which I think I saw on the x-ray). The fillings felt fine, had them for 24 years. I had the crown replaced which cost me $660. No idea if it had to be replaced, I had no nerve in the tooth so it felt fine. The only thing I saw was a small black mark on the x-ray which supposedly was decay. Then I went back for the fillings only this time, he told me I only needed to do one. Weird. Didn't think anything of it so I got it done. Basically had my 24 year old silver filling replaced with a white one for $110. Once the novacaine wore off I was in so much pain for the next 4 days that I couldn't sleep. I went to the Endodontist on the fifth day. He ran some temperature/pressure tests to confirm that I needed a root canal. He removed the new filling to reveal an exposed, inflammed nerve. How could my dentsit put a filling on top of an exposed nerve? The unecessary filling cost me $110, the Root canal is going to cost me $218 with insurance and a new crown is going to cost me $660. Not to mention the prescription for Vicodin. I had the filling for 24 years, never bothered me. Totally unnecessary to replace it, this is going to cost me time and money not to mention the physical pain that I've endured. How can I trust my dentist? It's like having a dishonest mechanic, how do I know what I do/do not need? Should have listened to my old man. He said, "If it doesn't hurt, it's fine." Has anyone pursued legal action? Would like to make him accountable. At first, I thought something like this would be hard to prove but it's not when you think about it....All the proof you need is in the x-rays.
I just had 2 fillings replaced - supposedly both were decaying around the edges. One requires a crown, the other just a filling. I have the temporary crown now. I'm so scared now after learning what all of you have been through. I had a similar past with 2 root canals on one tooth, which ended up in its extraction after a fracture was discovered--thousands of dollars later I have no tooth there. I don't have a good feeling about this--do I see a root canal coming?. If so, the same dentist will not get my money that's for sure.
I'm so lucky to have found this site.
I went to a new dentist today. The entire experience was odd. The dentist came in with a mask, goggles, scrubs & gloves. He cleaned my teeth then left the room to start on another patient. I NEVER saw his face! He was nice enough, however. He briefly told the nurse that I needed all of my filling replaced. After leaving the room, the assistant reviewed my xrays with me. I asked to talk with the dentist, but was told he was working on another patient. I did look him up & he is licensed. Because of the mask & such... If I saw this dentist again I would not recognize him. To make a long story short. I was told that all of my old fillings need to be removed. The assistant said it was "likely" that decay was beneath the old fillings(there was no evidence of this on the xrays). She said that removing the fillings would be very simple & would not require a root canal. I find that hard to believe. I've had these fillings for 10+ years & some are large. I was also told by the assistant that my xrays seemed to reveal what looked like an abscess near the root of a tooth, so to be on the safe side they were going to do a root canal. The tooth in question doesn't hurt & still vital( feels hot & cold). So, I don't get why the extreme measure of a root canal. It's hard to find an honest dentist when you have old fillings. When you open your mouth with old metal fillings, they see a cash cow. Before leaving, the assistant informed me that I should use my dental insurance more often or I'd lose the benefits. I certainly won't be going back & I won't remove my fillings. I have a crown already & I hate them! I will get a second opinion on the abscess.
I am so glad that I found this site! :) I went to the dentist after 15 years just for a check-up. By the time I left there I walked out of there needing all 7 of my silver fillings being replaced along with a deep cleaning and filling another so called small cavity. My boyfriend suggested that I get a second opinion and after reading this, I am. He thought it was kind of strange on my first visit to walk out of there with a $2000 bill. Thank you all for writing about your experiences and I will post what happen after I get a second opinion.
I'm so glad I found this site. Today I went to a new dentist and she said I needed 3 of my old silver fillings replaced with white ones and a crown. The fillings aren't even 10 years old! I'm rethinking this new dentist...
I am so glad I came across this site! I just completed a third visit to my new dentist for a root canal and have an appointment in 3 weeks for the crown (I know, a lot of visits for a root canal, but that's another story). I found this dentist because he was the only person who had a same day appointment available to see me for a terrible toothache I was thinking was bad enough for a root canal (his office was at the medical center so I fugured he was ok) Anyway, now that the root canal is almost completed, he wanted to talk to me about a "dental plan". This included whitening (I said no because my teeth have to match my tooth implants I have for my teeth that never greww in), and replacing old fillings. I was waiting for this. All my co-workers tell me their dentists push changing fillings as well, and they like their dentists. My first experience was a phone call from my holistic aunt from the mid-west one early Saturday morning about 10 years ago when I was back in college asking me about my implants. Apparantly she had lost all her back molars when replacing her silver fillings (her reasons were to remove the metal in her mouth which affected the "polarity" of her body). I read up on filling replacements at the time and only found articles stating to leave the fillings in unless they have problems because of the risk of mercury poisening. Now, I understand technology and techniques improve. But when I told this story to my dentist, he said it wasn't a "logical sequence of events" and that there must have been something else wrong. Well, I work in the medical field, and my aunt's story is logical, though I admit something else may have been going on, only her dentist knows. My dentist said the practice is absolutely safe and that the old silver fillings expand and can crack the tooth so all the old silver fillings should go to "save my teeth". He said that when replacing the larger fillings, I may need a "half-crown". Now, I'm paying $1200 or more for this root canal, and over $400 for a crown, and you are telling me to replace my fillings for more crowns to "save the teeth"? This does not sound like saving my teeth. After the conversation, he convinced me enough to research views online. Thank you to everyone for the posts on this site. I plan to sit pretty with my old fillings until they crack on their own. At least at that time the root canal will be necessary and not voluntary.
In feb this year, I had two white fillings placed in Molar teeth (biting surface) – which have caused me nothing but bother since: Although both “shallow fillings†, one is over a larger surface area. My Teeth were previously in no distress until filled: sensitivity to pressure (never temperature) was the initial cause for concern... After 8 months and a few visits to my dentist, I've had the teeth/fillings checked out and “drilled down†twice. The “pressure sensitivity†has been resolved (or I should say disguised) because the teeth no longer touch as well as they used to. Further, the force of my bite has been transferred to my front/pre-molar teeth.. and my gums on that side of my mouth have notably moved/receded, especially in the gumline between the molar/premolar.. Gum disease has been ruled out. Further, I have not changed my brushing technique and I'm told that my oral hygiene is perfect. I'm worried that the change in my bite might be affecting my gums.. so, I attended a periodontologist (private) – who is allegedly monitoring the problem. Apparently, I have no underlying bone loss (yet) but the gums are distressed.. However, think the periodontologist is just out to make a quick buck - as despite informing me that my oral hygiene is perfect, he has referred me to see a hygienist (at £140/hour), who would reinforce a good brushing technique. Although I'd pay anything to fix the problem, I'd rather pay for the best treatment.
I'm not an expert, but it seems that most of my problems have occurred as a consequence of these dodgy fillings, (for want of a better expression)? ?
I think I've given these two fillings enough opportunity to settle: Therefore, I'm thinking of having the fillings replaced... So, I write to ask:-
1) What is the best (most durable/suitable) filling material on the market for anterior/biting surface fillings, and why?? (on a Molar at back, and 2nd from back)..
2) How would I find a dentist who specialise in Occlusion, to ensure that the teeth will meet properly (and would this dentist be able to re-fill the teeth, with a durable product, properly)?
3) And, long term, how should I rate/choose a good dentist? (I would travel to the moon if I could be guaranteed a resolution :))
Any advice would be very much appreciated..
Yours distressedly, :)
Jonx
It is very DANGEROUS to remove mercury fillings because MOST dentists will expose you to mercury vapor while drilling out the old fillings.
To find how to find a safe BIOLOGICAL dentist in your area read my web site at www.MercuryPoisoned.com. I am poisoned from the unsafe removal of ONE mercury filling.
I am now an Activist for the non profit group DAMS-Dental Amalgam Mercury Solution. DAMS will help you find a safe dentist who uses special equipment and procedures while removing fillings, and send you an info packet. 1-800-311-6265.
There are safe removal protocols developed by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) to help dentists learn safer ways to remove mercury fillings without poisoning the patient. These dentists will use replacement materials that are compatible with your body and there are bio compatible tests available to see if you would have an allergic reaction to the replacement materials.
Unfortunately dentists are not being taught this information in dental schools because the ADA influenced curriculum discounts the problems associated with amalgam silver mercury fillings.
It is EXTREMELY important to get yourself educated before having fillings removed. There are many ways you can be poisoned from mixing different metals (crowns, bridgework, braces, partials, root canals) in your mouth.
Dissimiliar metals will actually pull the mercury out of the fillings at a very fast rate.
So do your research before having fillings removed! And don't believe any dentist who still uses mercury when he tells you they are not dangerous. If your dentist still uses mercury he is too stupid for you to go to, and he is definitely not safe to remove your fillings.
Cosmetic dentists who do not use mercury can also poison you taking out old fillings if they have not received the training from holistic dental organizations like the IAOMT mentioned above. And not all dentists listed on the IAOMT web site are safe either, since some of the have not completed all the training or do not put into practice what the IAOMT teaches them.
It is patient BEWARE!
I googled replace fillings and came across this. I went to a dentist yesterday who said my three silver fillings need to come out and be replaced with "new technology". I don't see why, but he remained adamant. So each will cost me $132 because my insurance won't cover "voluntary" removal; and I don't really see the necesssity.
I'm taking the 2nd opinion advice because my next appt is over a month away and I am willing to pay for that second dentist's opinion. Thank you so much because I have had a lot of dental problems and don't need any more!
Wow - I feel like I was reading my own story -just not as many teeth! I had 8 silver fillings from when I was little! Never had them mentioned until I went to a new dentist about 5 years ago! She said they all had to be replaced because they were dangerous! I had NEVER had so much as a toothache my entire life! Well, we started with the right side of my mouth and replaced 3. From the time the novocaine wore off I had a terrible toothache in my lower molar. I went back countless times and told them to FIX it! They tried shaving down my tooth a little, some solar powered somethingarather, etc. with no relief. Went to a specialist and found I need a root canal - lovely! Had that done and when they put the crown on my entire bite shifted as well! No I am wearing down my front teeth as I have a kind of crossed bite that I settle into at night! Also have already had to have the other 2 white fillings replaced because their were gaps in them! Make a long story longer :) I have now switched to another new Dentist and the first thing she said is I need my last few silver fillings replaced right away. Being a dumb gullible person I scheduled the appt! It's tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. and i'm calling now to cancel! I thought it was just my bad luck the other time having just listened to the Dentist and not investigated on my own!!
Wish I'd seen this 2 weeks ago! I had upper left fillings replaced and have had problems ever since. Looks like a root canal or two for me in the near future. I'll not have any more silver fillings replaced! Wish I'd known it's not critical to do it, and noone sees the silver in the back of the mouth anyway. I think they are indeed drumming up business. Lesson learned: don't fix what isn't broke.
July 17, 2008 I had a new patient appointment. (answered a flyer, $59 full set of x-rays, cleaning, conference with the dentist, etc. you get the idea). By the end of the visit I was in shock. It seems I need all 5 of my 30 year old amalgam fillings removed and replaced with composite ones and I need two more (filling to large, can't save the tooth type) replaced with crowns. Sorry, I ever answered that flyer. I did get a good cleaning and liked the dental hygenist. Too bad, I won't go back for the next cleaning out of my wallet. I was born at night, but not last night.
Heck, I just had a silver filling put in today (7/15/08). They are stronger than white fillings and can last up to 40-50 yrs. I avoid any dentist that tells me silver fillings need to be replaced. There is no honor among thieves or dentists.
I wish I'd read this a month ago. Went in to have 3 30-year old silver fillings redone with white (dentist said I absolutely must do it soon). Once I was in the chair, he decided to do 5 of them. Now I'm in pain constantly, can't chew on that side at all. He tried to fix them but says I have to have 2 root canals, and then he wants me to come in so he can replace the 4 fillings on the other side! I don't think so. I wish he had explained the risks, I would have done more research. Too late for me.
Hi Lynnette
Thank you for your response, and thank you for sharing your experience. You're right, I'm in a frenzy - I'm very worried about it and the prospect of having all that dental work done (and what could happen once I start removing old fillings) is very daunting and has kept me in bed the entire morning (very unlike me) just thinking about it and worrying. Yesterday after seeing that dentist I came home and called my previous dentist to make an appointment with her and I'll see what she has to say about it. I've been going to her for years and would have gone to her yesterday except since my move the distance is an issue. But it's worth it if I can have peace of mind.
I took three ex-rays (including the one that goes completely around your head) at this dentist's office and there seems to be no deterioration under the actual filling - but he said it could be happening and there's no way to stop it because you can't clean under the filling. What he pointed out was that there was a grey tinge around the fillings and that's a sign that they should come out. He didn't use the ex-rays to show me what was happening but his assistant showed me the ex-rays after he left and all I could see was tooth and filling - no decay at all and she didn't point out that there was decay. The dentist didn't make it sound like it had to happen right away but when they printed out what the bill would be and started trying to set up appointments I sure did feel pressured. When I told the receptionist I wanted to hold off or wait to schedule she kept saying that it was important for my health that I get it taken care of (even though the dentist and the assistant were saying there was no rush). The appointment I ended up making was for a month from now and I intend to go to my prior dentist before then and cancel the appointment with this new dentist. It just didn't feel right yesterday.
I really appreciate your advice. It's made me feel better and it was very helpful (especially being reminded that I'm the customer and I have the right to say no. When it comes to medical issues sometimes it's easy to defer to the professionals and what they think is best), but reading about your experience has also given me a perspective that I wouldn't have had otherwise. It's good to know about what could happen and I'm very glad that I found your board.
As of now I've decided that I won't do anything about it until there is an actual problem, but I am going to get that second opinion from my previous dentist.
Thank you Lynnette. You've been very helpful.
Kate
Hi Kate -
I wouldn't sweat it. That dentist has worked you into a frenzy. Especially if that was your first visit with him, I'd recommend taking a step back and re-evaluating the situation.
First and foremost I'd get a 2nd opinion. I realize this is easier said than done -- because you usually have to wait several weeks (or months) to get in when you're a new patient. But when you're dealing with your health & well-being, it's worth it.
Don't make that next appt with your current dentist until you get that 2nd opinion. If you felt pressured into setting up that appt already, then just reschedule it at the last minute. Just say you're too busy right now and schedule it for a month from now if you want to!
Second, keep in mind that you're the customer -- and you have the full right to say No to anything you don't want done. That dentist said "it was POSSIBLE bacteria was getting under them" (the silver fillings). I'd make sure he knows for sure what's going on before he starts drilling.
Xrays and such should reveal A) if there's damage that needs to be repaired or not, and B) the extent of that damage which determines how quickly you should have the work done.
Plus, rest assured that not everyone has problems when switching silver fillings for white porcelain ones. Chances are, things could go just fine for you.
Even for me, when things didn't go so perfectly, I'm SOOOO grateful that I had an easy-going dentist who let ME make all the decisions.
Like I said above, this was my vain attempt to get rid of all the silver in my mouth before I quit my FT job and became self-insured. I was simply trying to ward off problems later since I'd heard that silver fillings were bad and would need to be switched out eventually. Knowing what I know now, I should have just waited until problems with the silver filings actually occurred -- which may have been never.
I feel like crying reading this. I just went to the doctor today and he told me that I had one cavity PLUS I should have all my silver fillings removed (SEVEN OF THEM) because they were starting to deteriorate and it was possible bacteria was getting under them. I was freaked out. He told me he was obligated to tell me but that it wasn't urgent that I get them done. Then he proceeds to get the receptionist to schedule appointments for me to do this over time - and they tell me it's going to cost over a THOUSAND dollars. Did I mention this was my first visit to this dentist? I've moved out of the city. I really don't know what to do. I just want to get my cavity filled and forget about the rest.
Lesson: Don't replace your silver or old fillings becuase it causes problems. Only use white in the front teeth where its important. Dentists are drumming up business when they want to replace them all! Pray before making that decision.
Well, I had the exact same idea as you. The dentist I went to in East TN (not a good area to have dental work done ok trust me OK? I had just moved here). Anyway, he said only the small fillings , I said ok. Got to tooth #4 and 5 and his dip dental assistant grinded that tooth down insisting the bite was off on it...have problems with bite and tooth and havoc since then. But no real problems with doing the swich but like I said it wasn't the large fillings in the molars though. DON'T HAVE DENTAL WORK DONE IN EAST TENNESSEE this is the lesson i have to get across!! THEY HAVE LEAD INSTEAD OF FLOURIDE IN THE WATER DOWN HERE IF YA KNOW WHAT I MEAN. EVERYTHING YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS AREA IS SO TRUE! THEY HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO AND THEY WILL NEVER GET THERE!
Well, mostly the problem occurs from the huge mercury fillings that people have. The biologic dentists who have to take it out and salvage the teeth don't have a lot to work with in many cases, hence crowns and bridges. But, good dentists do try to save any teeth they can.
Yikes! That sounds like no fun. I've had quite a different experience with replacing silver fillings. Over the past 10 years or so, I've had 2 or 3 develop some sort of issue where my dentist has recommended replacing it. They only do the white ones now (at least my dentists have). I haven't had any trouble (and with my TMJ, I was fully expecting to have some sort of trouble). I know I have at least one that's 10 years old, no problems. And no one has even mentioned needing to replace them every couple of years - good golly I hope that's not true!