Gold Fillings or inlays & comfort - Dental Health Message Board

antoni · 07-23-2002, 07:55 AM

Hi,

I need to get some white fillings(bondings) redone in order to improve my bite. I also grind alot. THe prosthodontist mentioned if I want something that will last a really long time -- gold is the best even though it will show as a possibility.

Does anyone have gold and how do they feel on the teeth????

Thanks
Antonia

SherryElaine · 07-23-2002, 08:03 AM

Not sure if this helps but...
My husband had to get some gold on his back teeth cause the regular fillings and crowns would not stay on cause he grinds his teeth, anyway it can be seen some times but I think it looks nice and I asked him how it feels and he says it feels ok and definitly better than what he had before. He has had them about 2 years and no problems so far.

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Sher

antoni · 07-23-2002, 10:11 AM

Thanks Sher

I saw two prosthodontists and one said he could do the gold but he said if he were me he would go with the white fillings. But I mean I only have had them a little more than a year and a half and they need more material added to them???? ANd that prosthodontist wanted to charge me a whole TMJD package. It could be a ripoff. If he knows I grind and history has shown already they didn't work for me-it seems gold would be a more logical choice. SOmetimes these dentist want to get your business back in a year or two. I feel I grind the white fillings down -- they just are not hard enough(feel likes chewy-cement). PRobably your husband found this too. THe white fillings aren't for everyone.

The one prosthondontist who I feel more comfortable with just told me to be patient till he analyzes my bite model and then we can discuss options but he too initially recommends the white bonding. I have an appointment a week from THursday with him so I'll see what he says. The gold last a really long time and being able to grind unabashed is a BIG plus -- it may well be worth the extra money.

zahnschmerzen · 07-23-2002, 11:39 AM

I Antonia,

I don't have any gold inlays yet, but am also considering them, as I have to have some very old amalgams replaced in my molars. I am surprised one prosthodontist would recommend white fillings over gold inlays in molars!! I also go to a message board for dentists only (well, you have to answer a dental question to be able to register), and there I repeatedly read that gold inlays/onlays are the best (even though they also place white fillings on molars). I think you can expect the white fillings to leak sooner rather than later, and they are not really intended to withstand the chewing forces in molars; I think they will need to be replaced every few years (from what I read white direct fillings have the lowest life expectancy of any fillings in molars; gold the highest). The one concern I have with gold in my lower molars, especially, is the looks (and, of course, it's expensive!). I don't know how old you are, but that may be something to consider. At any rate, I think in terms of longevity, gold can't be beaten yet (my aunt has lots of gold fillings that are over 30 years old!). I am also going to a prosthodontist on Thursday.

SherryElaine · 07-23-2002, 10:10 PM

What is a prosthodontist?
Antonio, you sure have had some problems. I can relate. For years I went without any problems and now I have 2 teeth that continue to bother me after lots of work and money. Good luck with your furture dental visits....

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Sher