Leaking amalgam fillings -or not??

sudzs

I've been to several dentists recently. (I'm in the UK btw) All have given different views on an upper premolar, quite heavily filled with amalgam. The tooth seems to be becoming stained from the inside, a sort of dark grey that is very obvious and visible through the tooth. I've been to one private dentist who said from an aesthetic point of view I should have it changed for a white filling, then I saw another private dentist who was quite alarmed and said it was leaking and I should have it replaced asap because ogranic material/bacteria was getting in and decay was going to be a problem soon if it was not already.

Then I was with an NHS dentist and I asked her what she thought about my grey tooth. She said, "well I would change out the filling for a new one if I wanted to make money... but if it aint broke, don't fix it...."

Then I happened to be with another private dentist and asked her if it looked like a problem. She just gave me a big "aaaah no, that's fine, leaking? no, not a problem...."

So what am I supposed to think or do??

georgieporgy

get it crowned a few times

ballsymchugh

it's more than likely the colour of the amalgam as it corrodes. that's not a bad thing because the corrosion in a decent amalgam fills the space between the filling and the tooth. microscopically that is. i'd trust your nhs dentist this time!
if you're not sure, ask for an x-ray to show the decay.

sudzs

georgieporgy wrote: »

get it crowned a few times

Yes! Sure why not - and by several different dentists too! :P

it's more than likely the colour of the amalgam as it corrodes. that's not a bad thing because the corrosion in a decent amalgam fills the space between the filling and the tooth. microscopically that is. i'd trust your nhs dentist this time!
if you're not sure, ask for an x-ray to show the decay.

Phew! I prefer the sound of that! Thanks

day dreamer

Hi sudzs

The grey colour is normal for large amalgam fillings and occurs slowly over time. As long as there is no decay and the tooth is sound it would not need to be replaced. As has been mentioned, the seal is better around amalgam fillings after while than it is when they are first placed. An xray would help to check under the filling and the root of the tooth.

If the appearance bothers you it could be replaced for aesthetic reasons.

sudzs

Thanks Daydreamer. It was my first consultation with the dentist and he seemed to think I should have most if not all (I've lots!) of my amalgam fillings removed so that he could "seal up" the cavity, put in a nice white filling so that my heavily filled teeth would not be susceptable to breaking and leaving me with very little tooth even to crown.

I went home in a daze and aftaid to eat anything too hard or crunchy in case all my teeth broke and I'd end up with dentures!!! :eek: