Dental Fillings, Onlay, Inlays
Dental fillings repair cavities and small fractures so you can keep eating, chewing, and smiling without pain. We use tooth-coloured composite for most fillings (no silver fillings here unless you specifically request them). For larger restorations, we make porcelain onlays and inlays that are stronger and longer-lasting than composite alone. Every filling we place is matched to your tooth colour so it blends in.
Catching a cavity early saves you time, money, and tooth structure.
A small filling today is a fraction of the cost of a crown or root canal tomorrow. Most fillings are done in one 30 to 60 minute visit. We use the gentlest techniques and offer oral sedation for anxious patients.
Filling, onlay, or inlay: what is the difference?
Composite filling
Tooth-coloured resin packed into the cavity, hardened with a curing light. Best for small to medium cavities on any tooth. Done in one visit, lasts 7 to 10 years.
Porcelain inlay
A lab-made porcelain piece that fits inside the cusps of a back tooth (where the chewing surface is). Stronger than composite, better for larger cavities. Two visits over 2 weeks.
Porcelain onlay
Like an inlay but also covers one or more cusps. Useful when the cavity is too big for a regular filling but the tooth does not need a full crown. Lasts 10 to 20 years.
Signs you might need a filling
- ✓A visible hole, dark spot, or pit on a tooth
- ✓Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods that lingers
- ✓Food gets stuck in the same tooth repeatedly
- ✓A rough or chipped edge you can feel with your tongue
- ✓An old filling has broken, fallen out, or worn down
- ✓You felt a sharp pain when biting on a specific tooth
The filling procedure: what to expect
- Exam and X-ray. We confirm the cavity, check if it has reached the nerve (if so, you may need a root canal first), and discuss the best material for your tooth.
- Numbing. We apply topical numbing gel first, then a small injection of local anaesthetic. Most patients feel only a tiny pinch.
- Removing the decay. We use a small drill or air abrasion to remove only the decayed part of the tooth. The healthy tooth structure is preserved.
- Filling placement. For composite, we layer the resin into the cavity and harden each layer with a curing light. For an inlay or onlay, we take a digital scan and place a temporary while the lab makes your final piece.
- Polish and bite check. We shape and polish the filling to feel like a natural tooth and check that your bite is even. Numbing wears off in 2 to 4 hours.
Pain management and oral sedation
Most fillings are comfortable under local anaesthetic alone. If you feel anxious about dental work, we offer oral sedation, a medication you take by mouth before your appointment that helps you stay relaxed. You will be awake and able to respond, but the visit will feel shorter and far less stressful. Oral sedation requires a ride home from the appointment.
Note: we do not offer IV sedation or general anaesthesia. If your case requires those, we will refer you to an oral surgeon.
Cost, insurance, and CDCP
Fillings are typically covered (at 80 to 100 percent) by most extended health plans and by the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for eligible patients. Inlays and onlays are partially covered. We bill insurance directly so you only pay your residual. See our insurance and financing page for the full list of insurers, or call us at 604-282-3800 for a quote on your specific situation.
Why choose Madison Dental Studio for fillings
Over 20 years of restorative experience, tooth-coloured composite fillings (no metallic look), oral sedation available, on-site inlays and onlays with digital scanning, BCCOHP-registered team, direct insurance billing, and a multilingual team (English, Punjabi, Hindi, Persian, Tagalog, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean).
Filling FAQ
Does getting a filling hurt?
No, the area is fully numb during the procedure. You may feel pressure and vibration from the drill, but no pain. After the freezing wears off, some patients have mild sensitivity for a day or two, easily managed with over-the-counter pain reliever.
How long does a filling last?
Composite fillings last 7 to 10 years for most patients. Porcelain inlays and onlays last 10 to 20 years. Longevity depends on your bite (grinders wear them faster), home care, and whether the tooth stays healthy underneath.
Do you still use silver (amalgam) fillings?
No, we use tooth-coloured composite by default. If you have old amalgam fillings, we can replace them with composite when they need to be redone. We follow safe-removal protocols if you want them removed earlier.
Can I eat right after a filling?
Composite fillings are fully set before you leave, so you can eat right away once the numbing wears off (2 to 4 hours). For inlays and onlays, you will have a temporary for 2 weeks, so avoid sticky and very hard foods on that tooth during that time.
What if my filling falls out?
Save the filling if you can, and call us right away. We can usually re-place a fallen filling the same day. Avoid chewing on that tooth in the meantime.
Are fillings covered by CDCP?
Yes. CDCP covers fillings for eligible patients at 40, 60, or 100 percent depending on your adjusted family net income. We are an enrolled CDCP provider. See our CDCP page for full details.
Think you have a cavity? Get it checked.
Small cavities are simple and inexpensive to fix. Waiting can turn a $200 filling into a $1,500 root canal. Book a check-up and we will tell you exactly where you stand.