Fillings are Failing! - Dental Health Message Board

MelanieB · 04-10-2002, 04:14 PM

A year and a half ago I had five cavities filled with the white composite fillings. I just switched dentists, and my new dentist took some bitewing x-rays. All five of the fillings are failing. She showed me, and it's plain as day on the x-rays. You can see my tooth, then a big black gap, then the filling. Bacteria is collecting under the fillings and rotting my teeth from the inside out.

Now, I know fillings don't last forever. But this is a bit rediculous! I would expect them to last at least 5 years. Does anyone know how long they should last, and if the cause of them failing could be my fault in any way? If it's just a sloppy job done by the dentist, I'm thinking of asking for a refund. I've heard that poor hygiene can make your fillings fail, but I have excellent hygiene (brush and floss religiously) - both my new dentist and the hygienist told me that.

Any thoughts anyone?

Melanie

mallard · 04-10-2002, 04:30 PM

I have fillings that have lasted 20 years! I would definitely go back to the dentist and ask them to redo the procedure for free.

rhody · 04-10-2002, 10:14 PM

I've had my white fillings for over 8 years with no problems. They replaced my mercury-silver dental amalgams. I heard of at least one person that I knew of, that had them for more than 10 years. I think a lot of it depends on the type of materials and the placement of these fillings by your dentist. That seems like a very short time to me with such gaps.

I've heard that white fillings are supposed to be good for about 7 or 8 years (in that approximate range). We talked about that on this healthboard months ago. You should be able to research that on the net.

Ksavage · 04-11-2002, 12:54 AM

Composite fillings (the tooth collored ones) are great for the front teeth only! They were never ment to be placed on the chewing surface of the tooth! They could last you a couple of years but will eventually have to be replaced! (why go through un-needed dental procedures?) Amalgam fillings (the silver ones) got a bad rap a few years back but there has never been any scientific proof of any danger what so ever! The main reason Dentists "push" composite fillings is because the price is considerably higher than the cost of the goodolfashioned amalgams that last forever!(ask to see their price list & compare the cost) & they do not get to charge you to re-do them every couple of years like they do with the composites! More than likely your old dentist will want to charge you to re-do them even though it has only been a year! Let your new Dentist re-do them & ask her to put amalgam fillings in their place! NO they are not as pretty but face it.....do you want to go through all of this again next year as well?
I wish you luck & let us know how everything turned out!

rhody · 04-11-2002, 09:52 AM

There are different type of white fillings and cementing agents. You can find this information on the net. They can be used for molars. I've had eight white fillings on my molars for over 8 years. I must have had a great dentist that put these in for me, because I've had no problems.

The issued of amalgams is something I can talk about on a separate thread if someone would like. These "silver fillings" are approximately 50% mercury which is one of the most toxic elements for the human body.

You can read about my recovery in different sections of the fibromyalgia board, arthritis board, CFS board etc., after I had these mercury-silver dental amalgams removed. It took me years to figure it out. I'd be glad to answer anyone's question - but maybe we can start another thread if there is interest.