Cavities and repairs
Dental Fillings in Guelph
York Road Dental repairs cavities, lost fillings and worn fillings in Guelph. We are open Saturdays and bill insurers and CDCP directly.
Most fillings take under an hour. Book online or call (519) 824-7333.
What Is a Cavity, and When Do You Need a Filling?
A cavity is a hole in a tooth made by decay, and you need a filling when the decay has reached the tooth itself. Bacteria turn sugars into acid, the acid softens enamel, and the hole grows deeper over time.
Early decay can be silent. Watch for these signs, and book a check-up if you notice any of them:
Decay keeps spreading until it is removed, so early tooth decay treatment is simpler. Digital X-rays can show a cavity between teeth before you feel it, and a cavity filling then stops the decay and restores the tooth.
You can lower your risk of new cavities by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between your teeth and limiting sugary snacks. Regular check-ups and cleanings catch decay while a small filling is enough.
Which Filling Material Do We Use?
York Road Dental places white fillings only. They are made of composite, and your dentist explains how the filling will be placed for your tooth.
Composite (white) fillings
Composite is a tooth-coloured resin. White fillings and tooth colored fillings blend with your natural tooth, so they are a good choice for teeth that show when you smile.
Why only white fillings?
A white filling matches the colour of your tooth, so a repaired tooth looks natural. We do not place silver fillings.
What does your dentist look at?
Every cavity is different, so your dentist looks at several things before advising you:
Where the tooth sits in your mouth
The size of the cavity
How your teeth bite together
What your tooth needs to stay strong
If a tooth has too little structure left for a filling, your dentist may suggest a crown instead.
Should You Replace an Old Filling?
You should replace an old filling when it is worn, cracked, loose or has decay around it, and your dentist can see this at a check-up. Fillings do not last forever, and we cannot promise how long one will last.
A replaced filling is simply a new one: the dentist removes the old material, checks for decay underneath and places a new filling. If you are thinking about replacing an old silver filling, ask your dentist first, because an intact filling may not need replacing. We replace old fillings with white ones.
Tell us if a filling feels rough, catches floss or hurts, and tell us about any lost filling at once. Replace old fillings early, and the repair stays small.
What Should You Do If You Lose a Filling?
If you lose a filling, call us the same day, because the open tooth can break or decay faster. We offer same-day emergency visits during all opening hours, so a lost filling can be seen quickly.
A lost filling with pain is an emergency. Read about emergency dental care, or call us when the clinic is closed and someone answers after hours.
If you have severe swelling, trouble breathing or bleeding that will not stop, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
What Happens at a Filling Visit?
Most fillings take under an hour. Here is the order of a filling visit at York Road Dental.
Dr. Natasha Kaushal says: "Whether you need a simple filling or a root canal, I'll explain why the treatment is necessary, walk you through each step, and make sure we address your concerns about comfort before we begin."
You can use a stop signal at any time, and we use numbing gel and offer breaks. Wait until the numbness wears off before you eat, so you do not bite your cheek or tongue. If your bite feels high, call us for a quick adjustment.
Some sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days after a filling can happen. Call us if the sensitivity lasts, if the filling feels sharp or if pain gets worse instead of better.
Dr. Natasha Kaushal is your dentist at York Road Dental. She earned her DMD at the University of Manitoba in 2018 and has been registered with the RCDSO as a general dentist since 8 June 2018.
When Is a Crown Better Than a Filling?
A crown is better than a filling when a large cavity or a crack has left too little healthy tooth to hold a filling. Your dentist suggests a crown when the remaining tooth structure is compromised. A tooth with a very large old filling, or one that has cracked or weakened, is often a candidate.
A crown covers and protects the whole tooth. Read about dental crowns and how they are made.
Are White Fillings an Option for Children?
Yes, children can have white fillings when a baby or adult tooth has a cavity. York Road Dental sees children from their first visit at age 1. See children's fillings and care for the youngest patients. A child's baby teeth hold space for the adult teeth, so decay in them is worth treating early.
How Do You Pay for a Filling?
The cost of a filling depends on the size and number of surfaces of the cavity, so we do not list one price here. Ask our team about your cost, or about in-house payment plans.
We direct-bill all major insurers, including Sun Life, Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, Blue Cross and Desjardins. CDCP patients are welcome, and we bill claims directly to the plan. A co-payment or extra charges may still apply, so please ask our team what you will pay before treatment begins.
See fees and insurance and the Canadian Dental Care Plan. For the plan's rules, see the Government of Canada's dental care plan page.
You can pay by cash, debit, Visa, Mastercard, American Express or e-transfer.
Questions About Dental Fillings
Does a filling hurt?
At York Road Dental your tooth is numbed, so you should feel pressure but not pain. We also use numbing gel, offer breaks and give you a stop signal. We cannot promise a painless visit, but we can slow down.
What happens if I leave a cavity untreated?
York Road Dental advises treating a cavity early, because decay keeps spreading and can reach the nerve and cause pain, an infection or a broken tooth. A tooth that has gone that far may need a crown or root canal therapy instead of a simple filling.
Can I get a filling on a Saturday?
Yes. York Road Dental is open Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Book online or call (519) 824-7333, and tell us if you have pain.
Book Your Filling in Guelph
Book a dental filling at York Road Dental, and your online booking goes straight into our calendar. If you want to know how payment works first, see the fees page.