Can my NHS dentist replace 8 amalgam fillings with composite/ceramic ones?
Dear Dr Hughes,
I have 8 amalgam fillings done 10 years ago.
In the last few months i have been thinking that these might cause bad breath as there is a tooth decay underneath. Can this be related to bad breath?
Apart from the above I have good healthy teeth and good dental hygiene and my NHS dentist doesn’t seem to think i need them replaced.
I would like to have them replaced with white composite fillings or ceramic for cosmetic reasons and for a possible relation to bad breath.
I suppose the tooth decay underneath will still be there but less visible.
I would greatly appreciate your advice.
many thanks
Thank you for your enquiry.
You can certainly have your amalgam fillings replaced for composite or ceramic. However, if it is for cosmetic reasons then you will have to go to a private dentist as the NHS won’t cover this. When you have your amalgams removed the dentist should remove all the decay from underneath the fillings. I would recommend having a full consultation with a dentist and have a full set of x-rays done so the dentist can see underneath the fillings and give you a treatment plan best for you.
Hi, that’s an interesting point. I have around 6 amalgam fillings and one newly fitted “silver” crown. I have had hypothyroidism for almost 20 years now, and have noticed that I have been feeling less and less healthy over the last few years. My dentist would not fit a white/composite crown for me today, and did not use precautions while drilling out the excess from my silver crown. Also, when she removed my old filling a few weeks ago, she did not use a dental dam, and I know I swallowed some lumps of the filling as the dental assistant kept turning away while she should have been suctioning the waste. I am on a low income and currently receive tax credits. Where do I stand with replacing these fillings under the NHS please?
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