Fillings & repairs in London, ON

Modern, tooth-coloured fillings

We use composite resin that’s matched to your tooth’s natural shade, so repairs blend in rather than stand out. Composite bonds directly to the tooth, which usually means less drilling and more of your natural tooth preserved — the heart of our minimally invasive approach.

What we repair

• Cavities — decay removed gently, then sealed with a colour-matched filling.
• Chips and fractures — rebuilt with bonding so the tooth looks and works like it should.
• Worn or eroded teeth — surfaces restored to protect what’s underneath and ease sensitivity.
• Old or failing fillings — replaced before leaks let decay in.

What actually happens

A filling is one of the shortest appointments in dentistry, and there is less to it than the anticipation suggests:

• Numbing. We wait until you tell us the tooth is numb. For a very small, shallow cavity, freezing is sometimes not needed at all — we will discuss it rather than assume.
• Removing the decay. Only the softened, decayed tooth comes away. Everything sound stays.
• Building it back. The composite is placed in layers and set with a light, then shaped to match the tooth’s original contour.
• Checking the bite. You will be asked to bite on coloured paper so we can adjust any high spots. Speak up here — a filling that feels fine in the chair but high afterwards is easily fixed in a minute and irritating to live with.
• Polishing. A smooth surface that resists staining and feels like tooth to your tongue.

Composite sets hard immediately, so unlike some older materials there is no waiting period before you can eat.

Will it hurt?

This is the question people actually want to ask — so here is the honest answer: with modern local anaesthetic and a gentle pace, most fillings are painless, and many patients say the anticipation was worse than the visit. If you are anxious, tell us. We will explain each step and stop any time you need a break. Our page on dental anxiety covers what else we can do.

Afterwards

If you were numbed, be careful with hot drinks and avoid chewing on that side until sensation returns — biting a numb cheek is easily done and thoroughly unpleasant.

Some sensitivity to cold for a few days is normal, particularly on a deeper filling, and it settles as the tooth calms down. Call us if the bite feels high after the numbness wears off, if sensitivity is getting worse rather than better after a week or so, or if you get a sharp pain on biting. All three are straightforward to sort, and none of them are things to put up with.

When a filling isn’t enough

Sometimes there is not enough sound tooth left to hold a filling reliably. A large old filling that keeps breaking, or a cavity that has gone deep, may be better restored with a crown, which wraps the tooth rather than plugging it. If decay has reached the nerve, the tooth may need root canal therapy first.

We will tell you when we think a filling will not last, and why — including when patching it would be cheaper today and more expensive within a year.

Cost and insurance

Cost depends on the size of the filling and which tooth it is, and you will have it before we start rather than afterwards. Catching decay early genuinely is cheaper: a small filling costs a fraction of what the same tooth costs once it needs a crown or a root canal, which is the entire argument for regular checkups.

Most insurance plans cover restorative care at least in part. We direct-bill where we can, and we are a participating Canadian Dental Care Plan provider.

Common questions

How long does a filling take?

One of the shorter appointments we do. A single small filling is quick; several at once, or a large one, takes longer. If you need more than one we will often group them into a single visit so you are numbed once rather than three times — tell us if you would rather spread them out.

Can I eat straight afterwards?

The filling itself is set hard before you leave, so it is ready immediately. The limiting factor is the numbness — wait until that has worn off before eating properly, or you risk biting your cheek or tongue without feeling it.

Why is my tooth sensitive after a filling?

Mild sensitivity to cold for a few days is normal, especially on a deeper filling — the tooth has been worked on and takes a little time to settle. What is not normal is sensitivity that worsens over a week or two, or a sharp pain when you bite down. Those usually mean the bite needs a small adjustment, which takes a minute. Call us rather than waiting it out.

Should I replace my old silver fillings?

Not simply because they are old or silver. An intact filling that is doing its job is usually best left alone — replacing it means removing more tooth. The reasons to replace one are that it is cracked, leaking, decay has started underneath, or the tooth around it is breaking down. We will tell you which of those applies rather than recommend a wholesale swap.

How long will a filling last?

Years, but no filling is permanent, and anyone who promises otherwise is overselling. How long yours lasts depends on its size, where it is, how heavily you chew or grind, and how well the area is kept clean. Fillings are checked at every visit, so we generally spot one starting to fail long before it causes you a problem.