Already had one silver filling swapped for a tooth-coloured one and wondering about the rest? From Acton, a review can show whether the remaining metal fillings need anything, or whether further changes would be purely your choice.
Once a broken or decayed silver filling has been replaced with a tooth-coloured one, the remaining metal ones can start to look out of place. Many people then ask a reasonable follow-up: should I finish the job? The answer is rarely the same for every tooth.
The first replacement had a reason behind it. The fillings still in place may not. Some may be sealed and functioning, so that taking them out would remove healthy tooth for a change that is mostly cosmetic. Others might show early problems worth dealing with while you are already thinking about it.
When you book from Acton, tell us which remaining fillings bother you and whether any tooth feels different. The dentist will check each one and explain which have a clinical reason for attention and which would be elective. Then you can decide how far to go, and when.
Each tooth gets its own note in a careful review. A filling that looks darker than its new neighbour has not necessarily failed.
The remaining restorations may date from different years, and you might not know which. The dentist assesses their condition today and considers any records. There is no single age at which all metal fillings must be replaced.
A tooth-coloured filling beside a silver one can make the difference more noticeable. Point out the teeth that bother you most. That keeps any cosmetic plan focused on what you actually see, not on every metal surface.
Mention discomfort, sensitivity, food trapping or a rough spot separately. A symptom may not be related to the filling at all. Diagnosing it properly helps match any treatment to what is really going on.
Amalgam in good condition is not routinely removed to prevent illness. Discuss a medical or material-sensitivity concern with your dentist and, where relevant, your physician.
With a mix of old and new work, it helps to label each remaining tooth. Does it have a defect needing treatment? Can it simply be watched? Or would replacement be about appearance? That split keeps the decision honest and lets you weigh cosmetic changes on their own merits.
The best material may differ from tooth to tooth. A direct tooth-coloured filling may suit a small or moderate area, while a larger, older restoration on a weakened tooth may call for an onlay or crown. A balanced smile does not depend on every tooth being treated identically.
Patient information: FDA — choices of restorative materials
Ask which teeth, if any, should be treated soon and which can wait. That lets you plan time and cost around real needs rather than simply working outward from your first replacement.
Shade matching helps new fillings blend, though enamel colour and existing work affect how closely teeth match. Discuss which visible areas would benefit and what result to expect.
Request a simple plan with estimates for any proposed stages. Use it to compare choices, check benefits or come back with questions. It should allow for changes if something new is found.
Discussing your other fillings does not commit you to treating them. The exam helps decide on scope and order.
The dentist examines every metal filling, the teeth around it and any symptoms. Imaging may be suggested where it would help. Let us know whether you are mainly thinking about looks, comfort or advice given at an earlier visit.
For each relevant tooth, monitoring, repair and replacement are compared. Ask about materials, fees and what might be found under an old filling. Make sure you know which steps are necessary and which are optional.
The schedule considers the work involved, what is comfortable in one sitting and how you will manage eating between visits. More than one appointment may be needed. Ask which teeth are first and what precautions apply.
Each finished filling is checked for shape and how the teeth come together, and you receive care instructions. With staged care, confirm the next appointment and remaining decisions. Mention new chewing or cleaning trouble before continuing.
After work on several teeth, telling us where a sensation is and when it happens helps the team look at the right area.
Let the numbness pass before eating, and follow any guidance for the material placed. A tooth with a temporary may need gentler care than one that is complete. Keep the written advice until your next visit.
Mention a tooth that touches first when you bite, discomfort that does not fade, or food catching in a new place. Note the side and the circumstances. Specific detail helps us arrange the right follow-up.
Continue brushing, flossing and regular exams for every tooth, including any silver fillings you chose not to change. Monitoring means checking them again over time.
You should leave knowing which remaining teeth are involved and why. Bring questions about appearance, timing, cost or earlier advice.
Patient information: FDA — existing amalgam fillings
Book a review at our Bronte Street practice to look at your remaining metal fillings and what you would like to change. We will explain each tooth’s findings so you can choose what, if anything, to do next.
For significant pain or swelling, call the clinic. Online requests are for non-urgent visits.
