Aster Dental Centre provides tooth-coloured fillings in Edmonton for cavities, small fractures, and replacement restorations when appropriate. The dentist assesses the tooth before recommending the most suitable restoration.
The visit includes an examination and may include diagnostic images. The dentist explains the planned restoration, checks your bite afterward, and gives practical instructions for numbness, sensitivity, and follow-up care.
The tooth-coloured filling process at Aster Dental Centre begins with local anaesthetic to ensure comfort. The dentist removes the decayed tooth structure, cleans the cavity, and applies a bonding agent to help the composite resin adhere to the remaining tooth. The composite is then placed in layers, each hardened with a curing light in seconds, until the cavity is fully restored.
The bite is checked and adjusted before the appointment ends to ensure the filling does not interfere with how your teeth come together. Most patients are numb for 1 to 2 hours after the appointment. The filling is fully hardened when you leave the chair and can be used immediately once sensation returns. One appointment, no temporaries.
Tooth-coloured composite fillings require less removal of healthy tooth structure than traditional amalgam because composite bonds directly to the tooth. Amalgam fillings rely on mechanical retention and require the cavity to be shaped in a way that holds the silver in place, which sometimes means removing more natural tooth than is strictly necessary for the filling to function.
Composite is mercury-free, which is a meaningful consideration for many patients in Edmonton. Amalgam contains approximately 50% mercury by weight, though Health Canada has concluded that the levels released from amalgam fillings are not harmful for most patients. At Aster Dental Centre, composite is our standard filling material for most cases. Amalgam may still be considered for large cavities in back molars where composite wear resistance is a factor.
With proper oral hygiene and regular check-ups, composite fillings at Aster Dental Centre typically last 10 to 15 years. Larger fillings in high-stress areas may require replacement sooner. Grinding can accelerate wear on composite restorations, which is one reason patients with bruxism are encouraged to use a nightguard.
At annual check-ups, Dr. Bhanushali evaluates every filling for marginal integrity. Fillings with early breakdown are caught before they allow new decay to form underneath. Replacing a small filling before it fails completely is almost always preferable to letting decay progress to the point where a crown is needed.
Yes. Aster Dental Centre replaces old silver amalgam fillings with tooth-coloured composite for patients who prefer the natural appearance. The process is similar to placing a new filling: old amalgam is removed, the tooth is cleaned, and composite is bonded in layers. The result is a restoration that matches the natural colour of the tooth and removes the silver appearance from the smile.
Not every silver filling needs to be replaced. Amalgam fillings that are intact, show no signs of decay underneath, and are functioning well do not need to be removed on aesthetic grounds alone. The dentist will give you an honest assessment of which fillings warrant replacement and which are best left alone.
Tooth-coloured fillings at Aster Dental Centre range from $180 to $380 CAD per filling depending on size and the number of tooth surfaces involved. Most major Canadian dental plans cover composite fillings at 80% of the eligible fee for back teeth and 100% for front teeth after the deductible. Aster Dental Centre direct-bills Manulife, Sun Life, Canada Life, Green Shield Canada, and all major insurers.
Modern composite materials used at Aster Dental Centre are highly durable and suitable for most cavity sizes, including back teeth. Very large cavities in high-stress molar areas may benefit from a more robust restoration such as a crown or inlay, which Dr. Bhanushali will discuss if applicable. For typical cavity sizes, composite offers strength comparable to amalgam with the added benefit of a natural appearance and mercury-free composition.
Fillings at Aster Dental Centre are performed under local anaesthetic, making the procedure comfortable for virtually all patients. Some patients experience brief sensitivity to cold in the filled tooth for a few days after placement. This is normal and typically resolves within 1 to 2 weeks. If sensitivity persists beyond 2 weeks, contact the clinic at (780) 540-9300 for a follow-up assessment.
Composite fillings placed at Aster Dental Centre are fully hardened by the curing light during the appointment. You can eat as soon as the local anaesthetic wears off, typically 1 to 2 hours after the appointment. Chewing on a numb tooth risks biting your cheek or tongue inadvertently, so waiting until sensation fully returns is advisable.
Yes. Most composite fillings at Aster Dental Centre are completed in a single appointment of 30 to 60 minutes. No laboratory work is required, so there is no waiting period and no temporary restoration. If you have been told you have a cavity at your check-up, you can often schedule the filling at the same visit or book a follow-up appointment the same week.
Not necessarily. Amalgam fillings that are intact, well-sealed, and not causing symptoms do not need to be replaced on aesthetic grounds alone. Aster Dental Centre recommends replacing silver fillings when they show signs of wear, marginal breakdown, or secondary decay, or when the patient actively wants a natural appearance. Dr. Bhanushali will give you an honest assessment at your annual check-up.
Contact Aster Dental Centre to discuss tooth-coloured fillings in Edmonton. The team can answer booking questions and arrange the next suitable appointment.
For patient education about what tooth-coloured fillings may involve, when it may be considered, and questions to ask, visit the matching Treatment Guide.
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We direct-bill Manulife, Sun Life, Canada Life, Green Shield, Alberta Blue Cross, and all major Canadian plans.
CDCP & NIHB provider.