Dental Fillings in Scarborough

Cost depends mainly on the size of the cavity and how many tooth surfaces it covers — a small filling costs less than one spanning several surfaces. Many insurance plans cover a portion of fillings, and CDCP may apply for eligible patients. We provide an exact written quote once we've examined the cavity.

We numb the area with local anaesthetic before starting, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain during the procedure. Some mild sensitivity to hot or cold afterward is normal for a few days and usually settles on its own.

A single filling typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on its size, location, and how many surfaces of the tooth are involved. Most cavities are treated the same day they're diagnosed during your exam, so you don't usually need to come back for a separate appointment. If several fillings are needed, we may split them across more than one visit for your comfort.

Composite fillings often last 7 to 10 years or longer with good oral hygiene and regular checkups, though this varies based on the filling's size, location, and your bite. We check existing fillings at every exam and let you know if one is starting to wear.

Composite fillings harden immediately under the curing light, so you can eat once the numbness wears off, usually within a couple of hours. It's a good idea to avoid very hard or sticky foods on that tooth for the first day if it feels tender.

It depends on how much of the tooth is affected. A filling works well when there's enough healthy tooth structure left to support it. If decay is extensive or the tooth has significant cracking, a crown may offer better long-term support. We'll explain our recommendation clearly and why.

Metal fillings can wear, crack, or develop small gaps at the edges over time, which lets bacteria in underneath and can lead to new decay hidden beneath the old filling. We check existing fillings at every routine exam for this kind of wear. When a problem is found, replacing it — often with a tooth-coloured composite — prevents decay from spreading further into the tooth.

Modern composite fillings are strong and well-suited to most everyday chewing forces, and they're our standard recommendation for the large majority of cavities. For very large areas of decay on back teeth taking heavy bite force, we may discuss a crown instead for added durability.

Many cavities don't cause pain until they've progressed significantly, which is exactly why we check for decay at every routine exam rather than waiting for symptoms. Catching a cavity early usually means a simpler, smaller filling instead of more involved treatment later.