My dentist, who is a friend as well as providing NHS care, suggested removal for a molar of mine from which the filling had extracted itself, and I don't think he would if there were going to be all those complications. However, he did try an amalgam filling, as I was unhappy with idea of having nothing to chew on, saying that it might not work, in which case I would need a root canal filling and a crown. Last time I had that it was about £200.

Anyway, the amalgam has worked OK. Good old socialist medicine. The previous crownings are also fine.

I don't suppose that helps with the thousands of dollar situation, though.

Penny