Replacing old silver fillings with new?

[Kari C in SC]

I went to a new dentist, yesterday. My dh's whole family goes to this dentist. I knew my sil had just had all of her silver metal fillings replaced. Anyway, I sit down in the chair and the dental hygienist asks if I have silver fillings. I say yes. She says I should have them all replaced. This is before an exam, etc. Then she starts to do my cleaning and puts a tv screen in my face showing me all these awful pictures of what is under my metal fillings. She took a camera and showed me my fillings. Honestly, they didn't look that awful. They looked pretty similar to what I thought I was seeing if I looked with a dental mirror. The dentist comes in and says the same thing - replace the fillings. I come home and start researching. More and more I was reading that if I do this, I may end up with more crowns and root canals down the line. I have never had a dental problem. Basically, my reading tells me that in the 70's they took out a lot of tooth to fill with the metal filling. If I replace them, the dentist has to take out even more tooth. Lots of articles I read say that lead to pain and more problems.

 

So, my question is anyone have any experience with this? Replacing metal fillings that aren't causing you any problems? Thanks!

[Mary in VA]

I have a lot of silver fillings and my dentist, whom I totally trust, has never mentioned replacing them. Why mess with a tooth that is fine with the filling it has? Seems like it could just stir up a lot of troubles. It seems like a way to generate a lot of $$ for the practice. I would definitely get more that one opinion if I were going to go through the pain and money to do this!!

 

Mary

[Mejane]

My husband had his done. He was told that amalgam shrinks over time, pulling away from the tooth and allowing bacteria to get under the filling. The teeth can also break if too much was drilled away, as in his case. He now has white composite fillings. They're much nicer looking, but don't get me started on how much they cost. :glare:

Edited June 16, 2010 by Mejane

[MariannNOVA]

I hear about the amalgam fillings every time I go to the dentist - and I go infrequently b/c I am tired of hearing of it and tired of the hygienist and dentist tossing around phone number-like dollar amounts like it is nothing.

 

I will have them replaced - some day - when I have other rather extensive whole mouth reconstruction done - and it is a ridiculous amount of money, BUT I do see that my bite is beginning to cause huge problems for me.

 

In the meantime, I do think that many of us are seeing many different ways (in this economy) that give us pause to think about parting with our $$$$$.

 

My 'mouth/dental' philosophy has been: If it isn't broken, don't fix it.

 

My response to them is usually: I'll look into it and get back to you.

 

I think you handled it well.:)

[JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst]

My husband had his done. He was told that amalgam shrinks over time, pulling away from the tooth and allowing bacteria to get under the filling. The teeth can also break if too much was drilled away, as in his case. He now has whiite composite fillings. They're much nicer looking, but don't get me started on how much they cost. :glare:

 

 

This was what happened to me. Some of my amalgam fillings had cracked my teeth and those needed to have crowns. I was in pain so I know that wasn't a ploy by the dentist. I had the remaining fillings replaced.

 

For those teeth that couldn't have the amalgam replaced due to loss of tooth from over drilling-we waited for them to crack and need crowns.

[i.love.lucy]

My dentist told me that every time you do work to a tooth it "hurts" the tooth. You drill it down to have the original filling, and so now to drill into it again just to remove a silver filling you are risking exactly what a pp said. Root canals, more damage to the tooth, and crowns. He won't do it until the tooth needs it. There are a couple that I have with teeth not quite as far back and I feel like you can see them more, they make my teeth look dark, but it would be purely cosmetic. After the recent crown I had to have - not a simple thing because I needed "crown lengthening" - I'm out over $1200. This is not something I can do again any time soon!

 

I would not do any procedures like this until they are necessary, and honestly I might find a new dentist. It's sorta like finding out somebody is telling you you need a new transmission in your car when you really don't. How can you trust that what they say in the future is really for your benefit and not to line their pockets??

[Chris in VA]

I have tons of fillings and some cracked teeth :tongue_smilie:. It's going to cost a mint to replace mine, because my stupid insurance doesn't even cover the white kind (composite, right?).

As it is, we have to have ds get 14 fillings, and they are all going to have to be silver, because of our insurance. Otherwise, it will cost over a thousand dollars to have them done, and that's WITH the insurance coverage that we DO have. Argghhh.

 

I would let them do any big molars you have filled--maybe just two at a time. They do pull away from the teeth, whereas composite bonds to the teeth, and it's easier to repair a filling (replace it) than get a crown, so you may not even need a crown if you can replace the silver with composite before the tooth cracks.

[Heather in Neverland]

last summer I had 3 silver fillings replaced because of cracks in my teeth. they replaced them with white fillings. They look nicer BUT those teeth are A LOT more sensitive now.

[eight_gregorys]

I had 5 of my silver fillings replaced with composite fillings a few months ago. I had it done because 2 had already fallen out and the other 3 you could visibly tell were pulling away from the tooth. Had there not been issues I would not have had them replaced. I don't understand replacing them if there is nothing physically wrong with them. Plus, I also agree with a pp that since having them replaced with composite fillings one of them is a lot more sensitive.

 

HTH,

[Quiver0f10]

My husband had his done. He was told that amalgam shrinks over time, pulling away from the tooth and allowing bacteria to get under the filling. The teeth can also break if too much was drilled away, as in his case. He now has white composite fillings. They're much nicer looking, but don't get me started on how much they cost. :glare:

 

Exactly the experience I have had too. I think I have two amalgam fillings left to replace and I decided to not do it unless those teeth crack. If it ain't broke don't fix it...

[PeterPan]

Well I've had all my metal dentalwork out, no sensitivity or problems (only improvement in health), but I'd RUN from that dentist. That just sounds strange to me to walk in and have them start pushing expensive options on you, right from the get-go. Do they use the proper protocol for safe mercury removal? (dams, oxygen, you on supplements, air filter, etc. etc.) I'll bet they don't. Any hack can drill out toxic fillings, but it takes someone special to learn how to do it right. IF you decide you want them out, I would contact the organization for this (I forget the name, do some research) and let them refer you to a dentist who specializes in it. Like I said, I had all mine done. I have no sensitivity or problems from it. But I went to a dentist who specialized in it, had to drive over an hour. I still go to the practice, even though that dentist is now gone, because I like the peace of mind of being in a mercury-free practice, knowing they're not slipping metal in through the composites, etc. Is this practice you tried just rabid about it and that's why they're pushing it so hard? It just seems really strange to me, a red flag.

[KidsHappen]

I had all the silver fillings on the bottom replaced due to mercury. They were replaced with the white composite fillings. I have had absolutely no problems with them. I intend to have the top ones done as well as soon as I can afford it. I did have two teeth cracked due to silver fillings that then had to have root canals and crowns. Not happy about that at all as it hurt at the time, for at least a month afterwards and occassionly since then. The pp was right about having silver fillings removed by a specialist. Not just any joe blow dentist can do it due to toxicity issues. I would question a dentist who recommended that so quickly though unless you have severe shrinkage and they could definitely see cavities forming between the fillings and teeth.

[cjbeach]

I had all the silver fillings on the bottom replaced due to mercury. They were replaced with the white composite fillings. I have had absolutely no problems with them. .

 

Same here. I often wonder how many of my filling slivers I had swallowed over the years.

I saw one dentist here and he JUMPED all up and down on me when I mentioned having them removed, he was very pro amalgam fillings. I never went back him.

My dentist asked me about having them removed on my first visit to him...they were seriously crumbling. I have all composite filllings and many porcelain caps now.

[Spy Car]

I'm no voice of authority here, but these amalgam fillings contain mercury. There is great controversy about the Heath risks to leaving them in vs taking them out. From what I understand removal needs to be done with great care to avoid toxic exposure.

 

I had one of these amalgam filling removed, and the safety precautions were pretty extreme. There was a full dental dam, and a device to suction off fumes. It was a big deal.

 

Getting unbiased information on this subject may be a chore, it's another issue were passions seem to run deep. But I know these fillings are risky, in or (in the process of being) out of ones mouth.

 

Be careful out there.

 

Bill

Edited June 17, 2010 by Spy Car

[Colleen in NS]

Anyway, I sit down in the chair and the dental hygienist asks if I have silver fillings. I say yes. She says I should have them all replaced. This is before an exam, etc. Then she starts to do my cleaning and puts a tv screen in my face showing me all these awful pictures of what is under my metal fillings. She took a camera and showed me my fillings. Honestly, they didn't look that awful. They looked pretty similar to what I thought I was seeing if I looked with a dental mirror. The dentist comes in and says the same thing - replace the fillings.

 

What does the hygienist know about the need to replace fillings in *you,* esp. if she didn't even look at them first?? I would think it should be the dentist making that recommendation, *after* examining your teeth and telling you and showing you exactly what your particular dental problems are, that warrant replacing them. The whole thing just sounds like an office that trains its hygienists to talk patients into agreeing to money-making procedures. I'd be making a list of specific questions and putting the responsibility on the dentist to prove to you that *you* need this done - not just spouting off some theory floating around out there in controversy-land.

 

I went to a dental school a few months ago for a checkup, and the student asked me if I *wanted* mine replaced - I said no. I've had them for 14 years and have had no problems. He said they were in good condition. I even asked his supervisor about replacing - she said "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and she reassured me about the lead issue. They could have tried to talk me into it, to gain money and to give the student practice, but they instead listened to my questions and explained why it wasn't necessary for me.

[asta]

I see a couple of different dentists and a periodontist, and I have BAD teeth (anti-convulsants eat your teeth from the inside). Funnily, my teeth actually LOOK beautiful, thanks to these guys.

 

I digress.

 

All of these guys, one in his 60s and two in their 40s, all from top dental schools in the US (one went both US and abroad) have said "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

 

Apparently, unless a doc really knows what they are doing in regards to composites (the white stuff), they can and will crack your teeth due to how it "expands to fill the cracks". Dentists love composite because it will ooze into empty spaces, but many of them aren't well-trained enough to know when to stop packing the stuff in, and the result is a crack later on.

 

This problem doesn't exist with amalgam, which is why it is used.

 

There is a good comparison chart of all the different dental fillings here.

 

HTH

 

 

a

[Spy Car]

I see a couple of different dentists and a periodontist, and I have BAD teeth (anti-convulsants eat your teeth from the inside). Funnily, my teeth actually LOOK beautiful, thanks to these guys.

 

I digress.

 

All of these guys, one in his 60s and two in their 40s, all from top dental schools in the US (one went both US and abroad) have said "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

 

Apparently, unless a doc really knows what they are doing in regards to composites (the white stuff), they can and will crack your teeth due to how it "expands to fill the cracks". Dentists love composite because it will ooze into empty spaces, but many of them aren't well-trained enough to know when to stop packing the stuff in, and the result is a crack later on.

 

This problem doesn't exist with amalgam, which is why it is used.

 

There is a good comparison chart of all the different dental fillings here.

 

HTH

 

 

a

 

OK, but the link included:

 

Amalgam fillings are made of a mixture of metals. The ingredients include equal parts of elemental mercury (43 to 54 percent), and an alloy powder (46 to 57 percent) mainly composed of silver, tin, copper.

 

Concern has been raised about amalgam because it contains elemental mercury, and very small amounts of mercury vapor are emitted from dental fillings. The vapor is absorbed in the body mainly through inhalation or ingestion.

 

Emphasis mine. Crazy dangerous to use mercury fillings in a persons mouth (or anywhere else for that matter :D)

 

Bill

[Tam101]

So, my question is anyone have any experience with this? Replacing metal fillings that aren't causing you any problems? Thanks!

 

 

I've had 3/4 of mine replaced (I had a lot cavities as a kid). What I was told is that the silver fillings wear out and start "leaking". Not sure exactly what that means. I was scheduled to have the last two done and we lost our dental insurance so it never happened. I haven't any issues with the new fillings or the old ones for that matter.

[asta]

OK, but the link included:

 

Amalgam fillings are made of a mixture of metals. The ingredients include equal parts of elemental mercury (43 to 54 percent), and an alloy powder (46 to 57 percent) mainly composed of silver, tin, copper.

 

Concern has been raised about amalgam because it contains elemental mercury, and very small amounts of mercury vapor are emitted from dental fillings. The vapor is absorbed in the body mainly through inhalation or ingestion.

 

Emphasis mine. Crazy dangerous to use mercury fillings in a persons mouth (or anywhere else for that matter :D)

 

Bill

 

Where in my post did I say anything about mercury?

 

 

a

[Spy Car]

Where in my post did I say anything about mercury?

 

 

a

 

I followed your "link."

 

Bill

[asta]

While I appreciate the passion you have in your convictions, I am not the target you appear to be seeking, Bill.

 

 

asta

[Spy Car]

While I appreciate the passion you have in your convictions, I am not the target you appear to be seeking, Bill.

 

 

asta

 

I only seek whales :D

 

But I followed the link, here:

 

There is a good comparison chart of all the different dental fillings here.

 

And that is where I pulled the material I quoted on the dangers of mercury in fillings.

 

Bill

[Peela]

I also had my mercury amalgums replaced recently with white composite fillings, for health reasons. My study has led me to believe that mercury amalgums leak over time, and no amount of mercury is safe.

I have had to go to private dentists to have my kids get fillings, as the public dentist (paid for by govt) wont use composite for adult teeth. I wont put poison in their mouths!

 

I went to a dentist who refuses to use mercury amalgums at all, and who uses proper protocol, and is very familiar with, removal or amalgums. Removal of amalgums releases a lot of mercury vapour and tiny particles of mercury- you don't want to be swallowing that.

DH did ask his dentist to give him a quote for me on removal of my two amalgums- she wasnt very familiar with using the full rubber dam necessary, so I didn't use her.

 

As always, do your own research, and dont believe the experts just because they are the experts. The experts once thought the sun revolved around the earth, the earth was flat and all that.

[Spy Car]

I also had my mercury amalgums replaced recently with white composite fillings, for health reasons. My study has led me to believe that mercury amalgums leak over time, and no amount of mercury is safe.

I have had to go to private dentists to have my kids get fillings, as the public dentist (paid for by govt) wont use composite for adult teeth. I wont put poison in their mouths!

 

I went to a dentist who refuses to use mercury amalgums at all, and who uses proper protocol, and is very familiar with, removal or amalgums. Removal of amalgums releases a lot of mercury vapour and tiny particles of mercury- you don't want to be swallowing that.

DH did ask his dentist to give him a quote for me on removal of my two amalgums- she wasnt very familiar with using the full rubber dam necessary, so I didn't use her.

 

As always, do your own research, and dont believe the experts just because they are the experts. The experts once thought the sun revolved around the earth, the earth was flat and all that.

 

I'm with you on this one Peela.

 

Bill

[Kari C in SC]

Because I am obsessive, I was looking at my back molars last night with a dental mirror. I don't even HAVE 8 metal fillings. I have 5. Three are white composite fillings that I guess they were going to replace too. Even though he specifically said they would be replacing my "8 old metal fillings". I had one new small cavity. I am going to have that filled and wait on the rest. I will see a different dentist and see what he says about the old fillings.

[JFSinIL]

RUN!!! They are looking to make money doing unneeded work. Find a different dentist. I speak from experience!!!

[KidsHappen]

Because I am obsessive, I was looking at my back molars last night with a dental mirror. I don't even HAVE 8 metal fillings. I have 5. Three are white composite fillings that I guess they were going to replace too. Even though he specifically said they would be replacing my "8 old metal fillings". I had one new small cavity. I am going to have that filled and wait on the rest. I will see a different dentist and see what he says about the old fillings.

 

It sounds to me like he was looking at the X-ray of another patient and not examing you close enough to notice that your teeth didn't match the X-rays. I would definitely be looking for a new dentist.:glare:

[PeterPan]

Speaking of x-rays, my dentist (the mercury-free one) also uses new digital x-ray technology. So when they pull up your fill it's all there, in the computer, up onto the screen. It uses 1/10th the amount of radiation of traditional x-rays.