I had 7 amalgams replaced with composite and 80% was paid by my dental insurance. I did plan this out and switched from the HMO to the PPO and waited several months before getting it done. The HMO would not have covered any of it. In fact, they would only pay for the cost of the amalgam if someone wanted a composite filling. The PPO covered it just like a regular filling would be covered, but there was a yearly max of $1500. I did some at the end of the year, used up my money, and had the rest down in January! My regular dentist listed them all as "defective".

I did have a crown put on my back tooth and was surprised to find out there was metal in there. My insurance paid for the metal crown and less then a month later I discovered it had metal underneath!! I freaked out at my Dentist. Asking him how he could put metal in my mouth without my consent!! It explained why I felt so nasty though! So, he replaced it with a porcelean crown for only the cost of the material he used. This thing eventually cracked and insurance would not pay for the replacement. My dentist said that insurance will not pay for an all porcelean crown on a molar because it is not strong enough in their opinion. There is actually true because I've had a lot of problems with the non metal crown. I had to spend a lot of money to have another made. close to $900. And guess what. It cracked again!!! I was about to have the tooth pulled when my dentist said that it just needed cemented back on. So, there is a lot to think about when getting a crown replaced. If you do decided to spend the money on an all porcelean crown it may not last longer then a year. Mine didn't. I have already decided that I will get it pulled if it cracks again. I can't be spending $900 every 2 years on a crown! Maybe it will be for the best anyway. That root canal can not be good for me.

chigirl