[Fallen_angel_here_in_this_life]

Hi, I'm a resident of souh Florida who badly needs fillings in the back of my mouth (on my bottom teeh). Anybody have any idea as to how much this would cost?

[flossie]

It is impossible to quote the fees for this. It would depend on the size of the cavity (how many tooth surfaces are involved), how deep the cavity is and what filling material is used.
Your best bet is to book a consultation appointment with a local dentist for an estimate of work needed.

Sorry I couldn't give you a dollar figure.

[Fallen_angel_here_in_this_life]

It is impossible to quote the fees for this. It would depend on the size of the cavity (how many tooth surfaces are involved), how deep the cavity is and what filling material is used.
Your best bet is to book a consultation appointment with a local dentist for an estimate of work needed.

Sorry I couldn't give you a dollar figure.

Hey! Thanks for your reply. I've heard horror stories about "bad feelings". Being that the cavity is in the back, should I just have the tooth removed or get the fillings?

[flossie]

It's always best to save a tooth if you can, unless it's a wisdom tooth. There are 4 different kinds of fillings... composite (white filling) lasts between 3-5 yrs
Amalgam (silver) lasts 5-8 yrs (sometimes more)
Porcelain (as an inlay or onlay) I haven't seen much success with these
Gold (as an inlay or onlay) healthiest material and lasts a lifetime if well taken care of

[Fallen_angel_here_in_this_life]

It's always best to save a tooth if you can, unless it's a wisdom tooth. There are 4 different kinds of fillings...composite (white filling) lasts between 3-5 yrs
amalgam (silver) lasts 5-8 yrs (sometimes more)
porcelain (as an inlay or onlay) I haven't seen much success with these
gold (as an inlay or onlay) healthiest material and lasts a lifetime if well taken care of

Wow OK. Which fillings are less irritable? I mean which one doesn't itch or cause uncomfort in the teeth?

[flossie]

If I tell you all my fillings are gold, would that answer your question? :)

[flossie]

If you stop and figure what it is going to cost over a lifetime to have silver or white fillings continually replaced it will probably work out to close to the same cost as a gold filling now. You have to do what works best for you. If you can only afford a silver filling now then use the silver, if your financial situation changes for the better you can always have gold placed when the silver breaks down.
Most people who choose gold restorations have weighed the pros and cons regarding cost effectiveness, health and number of trips to the dentist.

[Fallen_angel_here_in_this_life]

Hey, I was told that the silver or the white filling could have plague and bacteria growing beneath. Is that true? Sounds uncomfortable! For a tooth in the back of my mouth, which is better (Silver and white)?

[flossie]

You could have decay under a filling if the margins are breaking down or the filling is broken. They should be able to see with an x-ray. For a back molar I'd suggest a silver filling as they tend to stand up to the day to day chewing wear better.

[Fallen_angel_here_in_this_life]

You could have decay under a filling if the margins are breaking down or the filling is broken. They should be able to see with an xray. For a back molar I'd suggest a silver filling as they tend to stand up to the day to day chewing wear better.

So you suggest the gold fillings for the back... See I knew it was best to ask around! A dentist tried to sell me the white fillings claiming that they are much better and have a longer elastic limit.

About the breaking down of the margins (sounds quite painful), how does that happen?

[flossie]

Margins break down from day to day wear. Silver fillings DO expand and contract with the foods you eat and drink but in my 31 yrs in dentistry I see more of the white filling breaking than I do silver. Yes, gold is best for the back teeth.