Restore Your Smile Naturally
Fillings are one of our most common treatments, repairing and protecting teeth from decay or infection. We use tooth-coloured composite resin, which bonds seamlessly with your tooth for a natural look and feel. Unlike metal fillings, composite resin requires less drilling, preserving more of your healthy tooth structure.
Why Are Fillings Important?
It’s easy to put off a filling, especially if your tooth doesn’t hurt—yet. But delaying treatment can lead to bigger problems. Here’s why getting a filling sooner rather than later matters:
- Stops cavities from growing before they cause serious damage.
- Prevents painful infections and potential abscesses.
- Restores strength and durability to weakened teeth.
- Saves you money by avoiding more complex treatments.
- Reduces sensitivity to hot and cold.
- Preserves your natural smile for years to come.
Taking care of cavities now means protecting your teeth—and your health—for the future.
How Is a Cavity Filled?
Gentle Freezing
Before starting, we carefully numb your gums to gently freeze the area. Many patients feel anxious about this step, but the freezing ensures your teeth and surrounding area are completely numb, so you’ll barely feel anything during the procedure.
Filling the Tooth
Once we confirm you’re comfortably numb, we clean and prepare the tooth. A bonding gel is applied, followed by a composite resin (tooth-coloured filling material) that is moulded and sculpted to match your natural contours and bite.
Curing the Composite
The composite resin is quickly hardened with a special LED light. Once set, the dentist carefully examines the filling, makes any necessary adjustments, and polishes it for a smooth, natural finish.
The Cost of a Filling in North Vancouver
Fillings are a routine and cost-effective way to prevent more serious dental issues. Most insurance plans provide significant coverage, meaning you may pay anywhere from $0 to $100+ depending on your plan. Without insurance, the cost typically ranges from $120 to $300 or more, especially if multiple fillings are needed.
Several factors determine the final cost of your treatment, including:
- Your current oral health
- The number of fillings required
- The location of the cavity in your mouth
- Whether new X-rays are needed
- The time and resources needed for your treatment
- The equipment and materials used
Filling cavities promptly helps prevent more invasive procedures, reduces the risk of serious dental pain, and keeps your smile healthy for the long run.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
With proper brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups, fillings can last well over ten years.
Dental fillings were traditionally made with an alloy called dental amalgam, often referred to as “silver” or “mercury” fillings. While there is ongoing debate about their safety, the Canadian Dental Association states that scientific studies have not confirmed any health risks from amalgam fillings in the general population. If you have silver fillings, there’s no need to worry!
Over-the-counter temporary filling kits can provide short-term relief, but they are not a permanent solution. Cavities are a form of permanent tooth damage that must be professionally cleaned, prepared, and filled by a dentist. If left untreated, cavities can worsen, leading to tooth loss or serious infections.
If you’re experiencing severe pain that affects eating or sleeping, this may be a dental emergency—call us right away. We can provide guidance over the phone and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
For temporary relief:
- Apply a cold compress to the affected area.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil), following dosage instructions.
- Keep a record of what medication you take and when, so you can inform the dentist at your visit.
Don’t ignore dental pain—it’s often a sign that immediate care is needed!
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