verified_userIndependent data • Reviewed June 2026

Composite vs Amalgam Fillings in Canada (2026)

Composite (white) fillings average ~$155 CAD for a 1-surface restoration across Canada; amalgam (silver) has historically run 15–25% less. Both are covered by the CDCP. However, amalgam is being phased out under Health Canada's 2023 restrictions and Canada's Minamata Convention commitments — composite is now the practical standard.

What are composite fillings?

Composite fillings are made from a resin mixture of plastic and fine glass particles. Key characteristics:

Tooth-coloured — virtually invisible, matching the shade of the surrounding tooth.
Bonds to tooth structure — the resin adheres directly after the enamel and dentine are etched, meaning less healthy tooth material needs to be removed compared to amalgam.
Cured with UV light — each layer is hardened with a blue-spectrum curing light during placement.
Sensitivity period — composite fillings can cause temperature sensitivity for a few weeks after placement while the tooth settles.

Based on our 2026 provincial fee guide dataset, a 1-surface composite filling ranges from $120 CAD in Prince Edward Island to $175–$195 in Ontario, with a national average of approximately $155 CAD.

What are amalgam fillings?

Dental amalgam is an alloy composed primarily of mercury (about 50%), silver, tin and copper. Key characteristics:

Silver coloured — visually prominent on posterior (back) teeth; generally not used on front teeth.
No bonding required — amalgam is mechanically retained, meaning the cavity preparation must be larger (undercuts are created) to hold the restoration in place.
High durability — historically rated at 15–20 years average lifespan, outperforming early composite materials.
Mercury content — the elemental mercury in hardened amalgam is considered stable by Health Canada, but environmental concerns during placement, removal and disposal have driven the phase-out.

Historically, a 1-surface amalgam filling ran approximately $115–$150 CAD nationally — roughly 15–25% below composite pricing. As amalgam availability decreases, this cost advantage is disappearing from the market.

Side-by-side comparison

Factor	Composite	Amalgam
Material	Resin + glass	Mercury + silver alloy
Colour	Tooth-coloured	Silver (visible)
Avg 1-surface cost (Canada 2026)	~$155 CAD	~$115–$150 CAD (est.)
Typical lifespan	7–10 years (up to 15+)	15–20 years historically
Tooth removal required	Less (bonded)	More (mechanical retention)
CDCP covered	Yes, no pre-auth	Yes (check grid for type)
Mercury content	None	~50% elemental mercury
Availability in Canada	Standard	Decreasing, restricted
Aesthetic	Excellent	Poor (silver)
Best for	Front and back teeth	Historically back teeth only

Amalgam phase-out timeline in Canada

Canada is phasing out dental amalgam in alignment with the Minamata Convention on Mercury, an international treaty aimed at reducing global mercury pollution. Key milestones:

2023 — Health Canada issued a prohibition on amalgam use in children under 10, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and individuals with kidney disease.
2025 — Many Canadian provincial dental associations began updating their fee guides to remove or de-emphasize amalgam billing codes as clinical usage declined.
Planned — A full phase-down is under way, with Canada targeting elimination of dental amalgam as agreed in the Minamata Convention's 2027 phase-down schedule for developed nations.

The practical effect: most Canadian dental offices have already transitioned to composite-only. If your dentist still offers amalgam, it is typically only for specific clinical situations or at patient request.

Health Canada restrictions on amalgam (2023)

Health Canada's restrictions are not a safety recall — they reflect precautionary measures for vulnerable populations and environmental commitments. The 2023 amendment to the Dental Devices Regulations:

Prohibited groups: children under 10 years of age; pregnant and breastfeeding women; people with kidney disease.
General population: not prohibited, but dentists are directed to consider composite as the preferred alternative.
Removal of existing amalgam in healthy patients: Health Canada does not recommend removing intact amalgam fillings — the removal process itself releases more mercury vapour than leaving an intact restoration in place.

This is regulatory and market information. Always discuss material suitability with your dentist for your specific clinical situation.

When to consider replacing old amalgam fillings

Replacing an existing amalgam filling may be clinically warranted when:

The filling has failed — cracked, fractured, or showing marginal breakdown that allows decay to enter.
Secondary decay has developed around the existing restoration.
The tooth structure around the filling is cracked, requiring a different restoration type (onlay or crown).
The filling is very old and showing signs of wear that could lead to failure.

Replacing a structurally sound amalgam filling purely for aesthetic reasons is not typically covered by the CDCP. If you are seeking CDCP reimbursement for a replacement, your dentist will need to document clinical failure or necessity in the claim.

Indirect restorations: inlays and onlays as an alternative

For larger cavities where a direct filling — composite or amalgam — is no longer sufficient, indirect restorations offer a middle ground between a filling and a full crown:

Inlay — lab-fabricated restoration placed within the tooth cusps; typically $500–$900 CAD in Canada (2026 market estimate).
Onlay — covers one or more cusps, handling greater structural loss; approximately $700–$1,200 CAD.

Inlays and onlays can be made from composite resin, ceramic, or gold. They are not covered under the CDCP restorative section as standard fillings are; coverage requires a separate clinical justification.

Dental Filling Cost in Canada — 1-surface composite cost by province, CDCP calculator, multi-surface breakdown
Filling Cost by Province — full province-by-province table with source flags
CDCP Coverage Guide — full coverage matrix, income tiers, pre-authorization rules
Dental Costs in Canada — all procedures, recall exam to implants

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between composite and amalgam fillings?

Composite fillings are a tooth-coloured resin that bonds directly to the tooth structure, requiring less removal of healthy tooth material. Amalgam fillings are a silver-mercury alloy that has been used in dentistry for over 150 years — durable and cost-effective but visually prominent and gradually being phased out. Composite is now the standard filling material at most Canadian dental offices.

Are amalgam fillings still used in Canada?

Amalgam use in Canada is being phased out. Health Canada introduced restrictions in 2023 prohibiting amalgam in children under 10, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people with kidney disease. Canada is implementing the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which requires a full phase-down of dental amalgam. Many Canadian dental offices no longer stock amalgam at all.

Does the CDCP cover amalgam fillings?

The CDCP covers dental fillings as part of its restorative services. Composite is now the clinical standard and is what the CDCP covers without pre-authorization. For the specific CDCP fee grid amounts for each filling type and tooth class, consult the official CDCP benefit grid published by Health Canada and administered by Sun Life Financial.

Which filling is safer — composite or amalgam?

Both composite and amalgam fillings are considered safe by Health Canada for the general population. The phase-out of amalgam is driven primarily by environmental concerns — mercury released during placement, removal and disposal — rather than patient safety. Some patients with mercury sensitivity may prefer composite. This is market data, not medical advice; discuss material choice with your dentist.

Can old amalgam fillings be replaced with composite in Canada?

Yes, existing amalgam fillings can be replaced with composite. The CDCP may cover the replacement if clinical need is documented — for example, a failed or fractured filling, secondary decay around the existing restoration, or a tooth requiring structural repair. Replacing an intact amalgam filling solely for aesthetic reasons is unlikely to be covered. Ask your dentist to document clinical necessity if you are seeking CDCP reimbursement.

Researched & verified by the Real Dental Costs Data & Research Team

Independent dental pricing research — figures verified against provincial suggested-fee guides (ODA, ACDQ, BCDA, etc.) and the CDCP coverage rules published on canada.ca. Pricing/market research, not medical or dental advice.

Reviewed: June 18, 2026How we verify our data

This page provides pricing and market research information, NOT medical or dental advice. Real Dental Costs is an independent data publisher and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada, Health Canada or Sun Life Financial. Cost figures are from our 2026 provincial fee guide dataset; amalgam cost figures are market estimates as amalgam billing codes are being deprecated. Discuss material choice with a licensed dental professional.

Data Methodology & Sources

The Real Dental Costs Data & Research Team compiles pricing data from provincial suggested-fee guides (ODA, ACDQ, BCDA, Alberta DA, NSDA, NBDS, DAPEI and others, 2025–2026) and the official CDCP coverage and guide pages on canada.ca. The full per-province dataset is published openly (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20744781). Figures marked as estimates are modelled from neighbouring-province guides where a guide is members-only.

Pricing & Research Disclaimer: Real Dental Costs publishes independent dental pricing and market-research data for informational purposes only. It is not medical or dental advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation, and it is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or the CDCP. Costs vary by provider and province — always confirm coverage with Sun Life and get an exact quote from a licensed dentist.