I'm sure you will learn fast <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I only started reading about all this stuff in June, but now know so much that I didn't know then <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I don't think there is much difference cost wise between a filling and an extraction. It depends on the dentist. One was going to charge me more for pulling the tooth than filling it, the other was going to charge me less. I considered having the teeth pulled instead of filled, but one thing to consider is how this effects the bite etc, and I have a poor one as it is.

I think the main problem between different fillings is between metals i.e. amalgam and a gold filling. This can cause various electrical activity i.e. they carry voltages. This is not a good combination to have in the mouth. Having composite and amalgam together I don't think causes particular problems, but I might be wrong.

From what I've read not all the composites are "non-toxic", just less so than amalgam. I think diamondlite is one of the only ones that rates zero on toxicty. I think a problem with porcelain is that it is fairly fragile and contains aluminium. Therefore, in my humble opinion, diamondlite is the best to use, if a person is compatible with it (not everyone is). It's a direct composite filling so not that expensive, depending on the dentist one goes too. Not all dentists use it, and thus expense can be incurred in travelling.

Generally the smaller the filling the less the expense. But definitely if I had kids I wouldn't give them amalgam and would pay more to get a composite. The difference isn't that much. but the cost to health of having amalgam can be immense, depending on individual tolerance of it.