Dental Fillings
Dental Fillings in Cambridge, ON
A cavity does not get smaller on its own. Tooth decay is a bacterial process, and once it has eaten through the enamel, it continues into the softer dentin beneath unless it is treated. The longer a cavity goes without a filling, the larger it becomes and the more tooth structure has to be removed when treatment finally happens.
At Cambridge Centre Dental Care, Dr. Stephanie Harper DDS and other experienced members of our team place dental fillings as part of our family practice. Dr. Stephanie Harper has been practicing in Cambridge since graduating from the University of Toronto in 2013. We offer two filling materials: porcelain (tooth-coloured composite or ceramic) and metal (amalgam). Both are clinically sound options. Which one is better for a specific tooth depends on where the cavity is, how large it is, and whether appearance matters for that tooth.
We are open seven days a week, with CDCP accepted and fillings covered without preauthorization for eligible patients.
Cavity pain or a check-up overdue? Call 519-624-4640. Open 7 days a week at 355 Hespeler Road.
Filling material options at our Cambridge clinic
We offer porcelain and metal fillings. Both are approved materials under the Ontario Dental Association fee guide and accepted by all major insurance plans and the CDCP.
Porcelain and composite fillings
Composite resin is the most common tooth-coloured filling material used today. It is a mixture of plastic resin and fine glass particles, shaded to match the colour of the surrounding tooth. Composite is bonded directly to the tooth structure, which means less natural tooth material needs to be removed compared to amalgam. Most patients cannot tell a composite filling is there.
Ceramic and porcelain fillings are also tooth-coloured, but they are fabricated in a lab (as inlays or onlays) and bonded during a second appointment. They are harder and more stain-resistant than composite resin, and they tend to last longer under heavy biting pressure. Lab-fabricated ceramic restorations are used when a cavity is large but not quite large enough to require a full crown.
Composite fillings last 7 to 10 years on average. Ceramic inlays and onlays typically last 10 to 20 years. Both are appropriate for front and back teeth.
Metal (amalgam) fillings
Amalgam is a silver-coloured metal alloy that has been used in dentistry for over 150 years. It is still placed today because it is durable, cost-effective, and particularly well-suited for back molars that take on the most chewing force. Amalgam fillings typically last 10 to 15 years.
Amalgam fillings require slightly more tooth preparation than composite, typically meaning a little more natural tooth is removed. They are also visible because of their silver colour, which is why they are used almost exclusively on back teeth where they are not seen.
Health Canada and the World Health Organization classify amalgam as safe for adults. Current guidelines advise against placing new amalgam in children under 15, pregnant patients, and patients with kidney conditions. If any of these apply to you, your dentist will use a tooth-coloured material instead.
| Material | Appearance | Best for | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| MaterialComposite resin | AppearanceTooth-coloured | Best forFront and back teeth | Typical lifespan7-10 years |
| MaterialCeramic / porcelain inlay or onlay | AppearanceTooth-coloured | Best forLarge cavities, back teeth | Typical lifespan10-20 years |
| MaterialAmalgam (metal) | AppearanceSilver-grey | Best forBack molars, high-force teeth | Typical lifespan10-15 years |
When is a cavity too large for a filling?
A filling is appropriate when enough healthy tooth structure remains to support it. When a cavity is very large, when the tooth has cracked, or when decay has reached multiple surfaces and weakened the overall tooth, a filling will not hold. At that point, a crown is the better option. Your dentist makes this assessment at the examination appointment and explains why one treatment is preferable to the other.
If the decay has reached the pulp (the nerve tissue inside the tooth), a filling alone is not enough. Root canal treatment is needed first to remove the infection, and then the tooth is restored with a filling or crown afterward.
Not sure whether you need a filling, crown, or root canal? Call 519-624-4640 for an assessment.
Why choose Cambridge Centre Dental Care for dental fillings
Digital intraoral scanners for accurate work
For composite bonding and larger ceramic restorations, the accuracy of the preparation directly affects how long the filling lasts. We use three intraoral scanners (Trios 6, Trios 3, and iTero Lumina) for digital impressions when lab-fabricated restorations are involved. No putty molds.
CDCP accepted for fillings with no preauthorization
Dental fillings are classified as a basic restorative service under the Canada Dental Care Plan. Unlike crowns, they do not require preauthorization. Eligible patients with household incomes under $90,000 without private insurance can have both composite and amalgam fillings covered at CDCP rates. Cambridge Centre Dental Care is enrolled in CDCP. Contact our team today to confirm specifics.
Open 7 days, including evening appointments
Filling appointments are available Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM by appointment. Most fillings are completed in a single visit that takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on the size and number of cavities being treated.
Same-visit fillings, no wait for lab work
Composite fillings are placed and hardened in a single appointment. You leave with the filling in place. Lab-fabricated ceramic inlays and onlays require two appointments, but for standard cavities the composite option is faster and often clinically appropriate.
All major insurance plans accepted
We accept all major private dental insurance plans, NIHB for First Nations and Inuit patients, IFHP for refugees, and iFinancing for patients who want to spread the cost. Direct billing to insurance is available.
How much does a filling cost in Cambridge?
Filling costs depend on the material chosen and the size of the cavity (measured in tooth surfaces involved).
Filling costs are set per the ODA fee guide; individual clinics may charge above or below those figures.
CDCP: Fillings are covered under the CDCP as a basic restorative service without preauthorization. The CDCP fee schedule may differ from our standard fees, which can result in a small gap. We will explain any gap before treatment begins.
Most private dental insurance plans cover fillings under basic restorative benefits at 50% to 80% of the cost. Some plans cover amalgam at a higher rate than composite. Check with your provider before assuming full coverage for composite.
The filling process: what to expect
Step 1: Examination and diagnosis
Your dentist examines your teeth visually and with X-rays to locate cavities. Small cavities show up on X-rays before they cause symptoms. Catching them early means a smaller, faster filling.
Step 2: Anesthesia and preparation
Local anesthetic numbs the tooth and surrounding area. Your dentist removes the decayed material and shapes the cavity to accept the filling. For composite, the cavity preparation is more conservative (less tooth removed) than for amalgam. The cavity is cleaned and treated with a bonding agent before the filling material is placed.
Step 3: Placement and hardening
Composite is placed in layers and hardened with a blue curing light. The process takes a few minutes per layer. Amalgam is packed into the prepared cavity and sets to its final hardness over the following hours. Both materials are shaped and polished before you leave.
Step 4: Bite check and polish
Your dentist checks your bite with articulating paper to confirm the filling is not too high. Adjustments are made until your bite feels natural. The filling is polished to a smooth surface. Most appointments are complete in 30 to 60 minutes.
Caring for a new filling
Composite fillings are fully hardened when you leave the appointment. You can eat normally once the anesthetic wears off, though your cheek and gum may remain numb for 1 to 3 hours. Avoid chewing on that side until the numbness has gone.
Amalgam fillings take 24 hours to reach full hardness. Avoid hard or crunchy foods on that side for the first day.
Sensitivity to cold, heat, or sweet foods for a few days after a filling is normal. It usually resolves within 1 to 2 weeks as the tooth settles. If sensitivity is increasing rather than decreasing after 2 weeks, or if you have persistent pain, call us. It can occasionally mean the filling needs adjustment or that the cavity was deeper than it appeared.
Frequently asked questions about dental fillings in Cambridge
Getting a filling should not be painful. Local anesthetic numbs the tooth and surrounding tissue before the dentist begins removing decay. You may feel pressure and vibration from the instruments, but not sharp pain. If you feel pain during the procedure, raise your hand and the dentist will give more anesthetic. Post-procedure sensitivity for a few days is normal as the tooth adjusts.
A single composite filling typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. Multiple fillings in the same appointment can take longer. A ceramic inlay requires two appointments: one for preparation and a scan, and one for fitting and bonding the lab-fabricated piece. Amalgam fillings are often slightly faster to place than composite.
Wait until the anesthetic wears off before eating to avoid accidentally biting your cheek or tongue. For composite fillings, you can eat normally once the numbness has gone. For amalgam, avoid hard foods on that side for 24 hours while the material reaches its full hardness.
Composite fillings last 7 to 10 years on average. Amalgam lasts 10 to 15 years. Ceramic inlays and onlays last 10 to 20 years. These ranges assume proper oral hygiene and regular check-up appointments. Grinding your teeth significantly shortens filling lifespan. If you grind, ask your dentist about a night guard.
Yes. Amalgam has been used safely in dentistry for over 150 years. Health Canada, the World Health Organization, and the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario all classify amalgam as safe for adults. Current guidelines advise against placing new amalgam in children under 15, pregnant patients, and patients with kidney conditions. If you fall into one of these groups, we use a tooth-coloured material instead.
Yes. Dental fillings are covered under the Canada Dental Care Plan as a basic restorative service. No preauthorization is required. Both composite and amalgam fillings are covered at CDCP established rates. Patients with household incomes under $70,000 pay nothing out of pocket for the covered portion. Those in the $70,000 to $79,999 range pay a 40% co-payment, and those in the $80,000 to $89,999 range pay 60%.
Composite resin is placed directly in the tooth in a single appointment and hardened with a curing light. It bonds to the tooth, requires less tooth preparation, and is the most common tooth-coloured filling material today. Porcelain or ceramic fillings are lab-fabricated inlays or onlays, require two appointments, cost more, and last longer under heavy use. They are used for larger cavities where composite might not hold as well long-term.
The cavity grows. Decay is a bacterial process that progresses through the enamel into the dentin and, eventually, toward the pulp. Once decay reaches the nerve, a filling is no longer enough and root canal treatment becomes necessary. Further progression leads to a tooth that cannot be saved and must be extracted. Treating a cavity when it is small means a smaller filling, less tooth removal, a faster appointment, and a lower overall cost.
Call 519-624-4640 or book online at cambridgedentalcenter.ca. Open 7 days, 355 Hespeler Road Cambridge.
Book your dental filling appointment in Cambridge
Cambridge Centre Dental Care is at 355 Hespeler Road, Unit 218, inside Cambridge Centre Mall. Free parking at the mall entrance. Accepting new patients.