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Started By
Message
OT Dentists: Question on Kids' Fillings
Posted on 4/18/14 at 9:15 am
Posted on 4/18/14 at 9:15 am
I appreciate the help...
My son needs a filling, and the dentist insists the only option is a silver cap (baby tooth). We went through this a few years ago with my daughter, and I felt sorry I didn't seek out a second opinion (so she wouldn't have a visible cap).
The dentist says that the tooth-colored ones don't last and that the child may break it. If this is true, then how do adults get non-silver fillings?
Don't give me any BS about keeping the kids' teeth clean, the dentist said they both have very clean teeth and that both cavities were oddities (daughter due to chip in tooth and son due to between teeth cavity that's barely there, just don't want to "spread").
Thanks in advance.
My son needs a filling, and the dentist insists the only option is a silver cap (baby tooth). We went through this a few years ago with my daughter, and I felt sorry I didn't seek out a second opinion (so she wouldn't have a visible cap).
The dentist says that the tooth-colored ones don't last and that the child may break it. If this is true, then how do adults get non-silver fillings?
Don't give me any BS about keeping the kids' teeth clean, the dentist said they both have very clean teeth and that both cavities were oddities (daughter due to chip in tooth and son due to between teeth cavity that's barely there, just don't want to "spread").
Thanks in advance.
11
Posted on 4/18/14 at 9:17 am to LSUfan20005
How old is your son?
Posted on 4/18/14 at 9:22 am to BROffshoreTigersWife
Not to hijack, but I'm sure this thread will attract dentist so I have a quick question:
I have my teeth cleaned every 6 months. Whenever I do, they give me the option of having a fluoride treatment but my insurance doesn't cover it so I pay $35 out of pocket. Is it worth it? They just 'paint' it with a thick paste and say I can eat or drink immediately after. I have problem teeth so if it helps, I wanna continue to do it I just don't want to waste money.
I have my teeth cleaned every 6 months. Whenever I do, they give me the option of having a fluoride treatment but my insurance doesn't cover it so I pay $35 out of pocket. Is it worth it? They just 'paint' it with a thick paste and say I can eat or drink immediately after. I have problem teeth so if it helps, I wanna continue to do it I just don't want to waste money.
Posted on 4/18/14 at 9:23 am to BROffshoreTigersWife
quote:
how old is your son?
6 years
Posted on 4/18/14 at 9:29 am to LSUfan20005
I was told that they use the silver because of insurance. Insurance won't pay for the more expensive fillings because the teeth are not permanent.
However, our new dentist used white on my 6 year old becuase he doesn't use silver at all.
However, our new dentist used white on my 6 year old becuase he doesn't use silver at all.
Posted on 4/18/14 at 9:38 am to LSUfan20005
For a kid the stainless steel crowns are used because the tooth doesn't have to be extensively prepped and the crown is fitted on right there. They are cheap and the kid will lose the tooth soon anyway. A pfm tooth colored crown like the ones adults get will cost you over a thousand dollars because insurance isn't going to cover it for a baby tooth.
There are options for tooth colored crowns if it is an anterior tooth. Called strip crowns. They aren't crowns that are sent off to a lab for fabrication. It's basically a shell of composite (tooth colored filling) that goes over the tooth. They do break much easier. I'm just a student so an actual dentist can chime in.
Also at 6 years old he is starting to get his permanent teeth. 1st molars and central incisors should be coming in soon if they haven't already.
There are options for tooth colored crowns if it is an anterior tooth. Called strip crowns. They aren't crowns that are sent off to a lab for fabrication. It's basically a shell of composite (tooth colored filling) that goes over the tooth. They do break much easier. I'm just a student so an actual dentist can chime in.
Also at 6 years old he is starting to get his permanent teeth. 1st molars and central incisors should be coming in soon if they haven't already.
This post was edited on 4/18/14 at 9:40 am
Posted on 4/18/14 at 9:55 am to LSUfan20005
quote:
6 years
should lose that tooth in a year or two.
don't waste your money
Posted on 4/18/14 at 11:18 am to oldcharlie8
Don't listen to this guy. If the suspect tooth is a baby molar a six year old may have that tooth for 2-5 years depending on dental maturity and whether it's an upper or lower tooth.
These teeth will maintain the arch length and if lost early will affect the adult teeth and could lead to more expensive treatment like braces.
Someone mentioned silver caps and insurance, the dentist may be allowing the insurance company dictate treatment. Tell him you want a tooth colored filling and be prepared to pay his fee since it will more than likely not be covered by your insurance.
I would do a tooth covered filling on my family fwiw.
These teeth will maintain the arch length and if lost early will affect the adult teeth and could lead to more expensive treatment like braces.
Someone mentioned silver caps and insurance, the dentist may be allowing the insurance company dictate treatment. Tell him you want a tooth colored filling and be prepared to pay his fee since it will more than likely not be covered by your insurance.
I would do a tooth covered filling on my family fwiw.
Posted on 4/18/14 at 11:25 am to oldcharlie8
Don't listen to the guy who says don't waste your money. There's a reason the dentist says it needs a crown. Not doing anything can just cause more expensive problems.
Posted on 4/18/14 at 11:27 am to LSUfan20005
when I have had to get fillings my denstist always does the tooth colored fillings even though my insurance only pays for the amalgam. I just have to make up the difference and its not a large amount.
Posted on 4/18/14 at 11:28 am to Vinny V
quote:
There's a reason the dentist says it needs a crown
yeah, dentists don't get paid by saying "it'll just fall out"
Posted on 4/18/14 at 11:38 am to Displaced
You sir are a glittering jewel of colossal ignorance.
Posted on 4/18/14 at 12:38 pm to LSUfan20005
Crowns placed on adult teeth are completely different from the pedo crowns you are asking about. You would not place an adult crown on a child's tooth.
The reason for placing a 'silver cap' is there may not be enough remaining tooth structure to sustain a filling long term. This could cause failure of the tooth, filling, or both. The solution for this is to cover the whole tooth with a 'cap' so the tooth structure does not come into play. If you absolutely opposed to a silver cap, I'd tell your dentist you understand the risks and would like a resin (tooth colored) filling placed. A tooth repaired with filling would be much better than no fix at all.
The reason for placing a 'silver cap' is there may not be enough remaining tooth structure to sustain a filling long term. This could cause failure of the tooth, filling, or both. The solution for this is to cover the whole tooth with a 'cap' so the tooth structure does not come into play. If you absolutely opposed to a silver cap, I'd tell your dentist you understand the risks and would like a resin (tooth colored) filling placed. A tooth repaired with filling would be much better than no fix at all.
Posted on 4/18/14 at 12:47 pm to supadave3
quote:
I have my teeth cleaned every 6 months. Whenever I do, they give me the option of having a fluoride treatment but my insurance doesn't cover it so I pay $35 out of pocket. Is it worth it? They just 'paint' it with a thick paste and say I can eat or drink immediately after. I have problem teeth so if it helps, I wanna continue to do it I just don't want to waste money.
Although there are some indications for adults to receive fluoride varnishes, I'd be hesitant to make it part of my normal routine unless there were ongoing problems that were being addressed.
Assuming you have otherwise healthy teeth - just soak them for a few mins in the foam you get from brushing your teeth.
Posted on 4/18/14 at 1:03 pm to Fat Tire
Not a dentist, but I wouldn't sweat putting a silver cap on a boy's tooth, unless it was right up front. I had one on a first molar when I was little and everyone thought it was cool.
Different story for a little girl, though. Dentist wanted to cap all four of my daughter's first molars (in a hospital under general anesthesia) b/c she had multiple (superficial) cavities on two of them (she was 4 at the time). We switched dentists, had them filled, and haven't had any problems.
I do wish they would be willing to do silver fillings on molars, though.
Different story for a little girl, though. Dentist wanted to cap all four of my daughter's first molars (in a hospital under general anesthesia) b/c she had multiple (superficial) cavities on two of them (she was 4 at the time). We switched dentists, had them filled, and haven't had any problems.
I do wish they would be willing to do silver fillings on molars, though.
Posted on 4/18/14 at 1:09 pm to Displaced
quote:
yeah, dentists don't get paid by saying "it'll just fall out"
Posted on 4/18/14 at 1:10 pm to Speedy G
Thanks for all of the responses, much appreciated!
Definitely getting it filled, just a decision on whether to go to a new dentist for tooth-colored or suck it up and do the silver on the boy.
Definitely getting it filled, just a decision on whether to go to a new dentist for tooth-colored or suck it up and do the silver on the boy.
Posted on 4/18/14 at 1:44 pm to Vinny V
quote:
Don't listen to the guy who says don't waste your money. There's a reason the dentist says it needs a crown. Not doing anything can just cause more expensive problems.
There are a lot of dentists who massively overtreat patients for one simple reason - $$$. There was one dentist in particular in my area that would treatment plan a stainless steel crown for virtually every baby tooth with a small cavity. His patients would often come to me for a second opinion and end up saving $1,000 on a couple appointments for their kid. If it is a primary molar, they may not be losing the tooth until around 10-12 years old, and even on back teeth a "silver" crown can look unsightly.
If it is a large cavity, a crown may be the only option, and on a primary tooth the stainless steel crown is the way to go. But if it a small-medium sized cavity (even if it extends between the teeth), quite often a filling will do the job at much less expense. I tended to put amalgam fillings in most kids as opposed to resin (white) fillings for a couple reasons - resin fillings are much more technique sensitive (particularly in regards to moisture control during placement) and take longer to do, and too many kids are uncooperative. But even an amalgam filling is better looking and more conservative than a prefabricated stainless steel crown. Also, I would never put a porcelain crown on a baby tooth - far too costly, and too much tooth reduction is needed. I would definitely get a second opinion to see if a crown is necessary as opposed to a filling if you are concerned.
Don't always take a dentist's word unless you have complete trust in him. There are a lot of slimy dentists out there. The amount of cheating that went on in dental school was unlike anything I had ever seen. They literally called a class meeting once to devise a cheating system for a test. Guys took teachers fishing in exchange for tests. Girls allegedly traded sex for grades, etc. I walked out in the middle of the class meeting when I realized what it was about and caught a lot of crap for it. Too many dentists out there worship the dollar.
This post was edited on 4/18/14 at 1:54 pm
Posted on 4/18/14 at 2:09 pm to 911Moto
I just want to recommend dr. Kirby Perry for the adults in here. He is a very good dentist and his prices are outstanding. If he's available under your insurance you should go to him. His office is on Essen across from the hospital.
Posted on 4/18/14 at 2:23 pm to 911Moto
quote:
Don't always take a dentist's word unless you have complete trust in him. There are a lot of slimy dentists out there. The amount of cheating that went on in dental school was unlike anything I had ever seen. They literally called a class meeting once to devise a cheating system for a test. Guys took teachers fishing in exchange for tests. Girls allegedly traded sex for grades, etc. I walked out in the middle of the class meeting when I realized what it was about and caught a lot of crap for it. Too many dentists out there worship the dollar.
Damn, care to share where you went to school?
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