About 10 years ago, a dentist placed white fillings in some of my teeth. Almost immediately they started giving me problems, and within a year I had them all replaced (by a different dentist!). Two of the fillings were in my bottom wisdom teeth. They were placed not because I had cavities, but to protect against future cavities. After several years the fillings in my wisdom teeth wore away. What remains of the teeth is ugly and yellow. I need to get these teeth fixed, but need help knowing what kind of filling to ask for. It is getting hard to find a dentist who will do traditional fillings, but after my experience with white fillings I just don’t think they work for me. What should I do?
Jane in Memphis
Dear Jane,
The problem with your white fillings was with the technique the dentist used, not with the fillings themselves.
The reason it is getting harder to find dentists who do traditional silver amalgam fillings is that there are a lot of problems with them. They are still the method taught in dental schools, so every dentist can place them, usually effectively. However, the material of the filling weakens the remaining tooth structure, they corrode over time, and more of the tooth must be removed to place them. Additionally, the amalgam material itself has been a source of ongoing controversy in the dental field, as it is nearly 50% mercury by weight. Current research cannot prove that the amount of mercury present in fillings is toxic, but it also cannot prove that it is NOT toxic. Ongoing clinical research may yield more conclusive data in years to come.
In the meantime, I would absolutely place white fillings for you, if you were my patient. The composite material in white fillings bonds to the tooth, which creates a stronger total structure than an amalgam filled tooth. White fillings contain no mercury, but they are more difficult to place, and not all dentists are trained to place them properly. White fillings must be placed following a very strict protocol, with a field that is completely isolated from saliva. No doubt the dentist who placed your white fillings years ago did not follow this protocol, and that was the source of your issues.
It sounds as if you are in the process of locating a new dentist. When you do choose one, let your dentist recommend the best treatment for your situation. It is very important that you don’t push your dentist out of his or her comfort zone by asking for a treatment that they are not well-trained to provide. If you decide that you want to go with white fillings, make sure the dentist you choose has the equipment and training to properly place them.