This may be more properly placed in IMHO, but I’m hoping for objective information…
Since I separated from the military two years ago, I have necessarily switched to civilian dental care. My new dentist has suggested two procedures that I’m wondering are actually necessary and/or worth it, or are simply to help my dentist pay for his boat.
First, he wants to seal my back molars. He alleges that brushes do not reach into the crevices of molars, and that a sealant will help prevent decay. I’ve heard of dental sealants being recommended for children, but for a 35-year-old adult?
He also wants to replace my one tiny mercury-silver amalgam filling (in a back molar) with a composite resin filling. He states that the 15-year-old filling is “starting to wear” at the tooth surface. Also, as an environmental engineer, I expressed concern over the presence of the mercury-silver amalgam in my mouth, so I would just as soon replace the filling anyway.
My dentist took these fancy close-up photos of my tooth surfaces, apparently to sell me on these two procedures. (Which worked on me, but my wife is skeptical.)
My dental health is very good. I have only one filling, discussed above. My wife, who has had two root canals in the last year, believes that our dentist is just recommending needless procedures for me.
Does anyone know if dental sealants and filling replacements are appropriate procedures for a 35-year old adult with good dental health?
I am going to give you my opinion. I have no facts and I am not a dentist.
However, unfortunatly my dental health is not good so I am a very good customer to my dentist.
I was told there is no danger in the old grey fillings, even as they contain mercury ( I had enough to be concerned and ask the same question!). I had old grey fillings changed to white for the pure esthetic aspect of it. The while fillings do not last as long as the grey ones.
Yours, being 15 years old, has probably reached its peak. I would recommand to change it, white or grey is up to you. Whites are usually not fully reimbursed by a “regular” dental insurance as they are not necessary and cost more than the good old grey ones. They are prettier that’s about it!
As far as the sealants go, I don’t think it makes that much of a difference or I would hope my dentist would have proposed this to me as I have cavities on a regular basis (I don’t retain fluoride that well). I would say obviously it wouldn’t hurt but with your very good dental health (one filling, I am jealous!) I don’t see the need for you.
I had sealants from grade school through college. When money permits I want to get them again. (they need to be reapplied about every 5 years.) I didn’t get any cavities when I had them. My mother has worked as a dental receptionist for 25 years and she insisted that I get them.
Apparently, both the need for sealants and the efficacy depend on the “shape” of the grooves in your teeth. My teeth have unusually deep grooves, which are the type where sealants are most recommended.
Zazie’s dentist might not have recommended them because insurance may not cover them. (Our insurance didn’t cover it when I got them.) That always seemed weird to me – insurance will pay for numerous cavities, but not for sealants which help will prevent them…
