Dental Filling Cost in Canada (2026)
A 1-surface composite (white) dental filling costs $120–$195 CAD depending on the province (national average ~$155 from our 2026 dataset). The CDCP covers composite fillings without pre-authorization — once per surface per 24 months. Ontario is the most expensive province; Prince Edward Island is the cheapest.
Estimate your CDCP out-of-pocket cost
Composite dental fillings are covered under the CDCP without requiring pre-authorization. Select your province and income tier below to estimate your out-of-pocket cost under the 2026 CDCP Dental Benefit Grids.
Dental Filling CDCP Out-of-Pocket Calculator
Province × income tier — 2026 figures in CAD
paymentsCDCP Coverage & Out-of-Pocket Estimate
* Estimates based on 2025–2026 provincial suggested-fee guides (CAD). Actual costs vary by province and provider; figures flagged as estimates are modelled.
The CDCP reimburses on its own established fee grid, which may be lower than the provincial suggested-fee guide figure. Even at the under-$70,000 income tier (100% coverage), you may owe a balance if your dentist charges above the CDCP rate. Ask upfront whether your dentist accepts assignment (billing only the CDCP fee).
Composite filling cost by province (2026)
The chart and table below reflect 1-surface composite filling fees from our 2026 provincial suggested-fee guide dataset (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20744781). Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland are flagged as estimates because their fee guides are members-only or not publicly available.
1-surface composite filling only. Source: Real Dental Costs analysis of 2025–2026 provincial suggested-fee guides (ODA, DAPEI, NSDA, NBDS, MDA, CDSS, BCDA, Alberta DA, ACDQ, NLDHA). Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland are estimates.
| Province | 1-Surface Composite (CAD) | Source | Official? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Edward Island | $120 | DAPEI 2025 | Yes |
| Manitoba (est.) | ~$130 | MDA (non-public) | Estimate |
| Nova Scotia | $138 | NSDA 2026 | Yes |
| Saskatchewan (est.) | ~$138 | CDSS + modelling | Estimate |
| New Brunswick | $142 | NBDS 2026 | Yes |
| Quebec (est.) | ~$145 | ACDQ (members-only) | Estimate |
| Alberta | $148 | Alberta DA 2026 | Yes |
| Newfoundland (est.) | ~$135 | NLDHA + Atlantic modelling | Estimate |
| British Columbia | $152 | BCDA 2026 | Yes |
| National average | ~$155 | Real Dental Costs dataset | — |
| Ontario | $175–$195 | ODA 2026 | Yes |
Composite vs amalgam fillings: cost comparison
Composite (white, tooth-coloured) fillings and amalgam (silver) fillings differ significantly in material, appearance and cost:
- Composite fillings bond directly to the tooth structure, preserving more of the natural tooth. They are tooth-coloured and virtually invisible. The 2026 national average for a 1-surface composite is approximately $155 CAD.
- Amalgam fillings are a silver-mercury alloy. Historically, amalgam was 15–25% cheaper per surface due to lower material costs and faster placement. A 1-surface amalgam would have run roughly $115–$155 CAD in 2026 — however, availability is decreasing rapidly.
Health Canada introduced restrictions on amalgam use in 2023, prohibiting its use in children under 10, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people with kidney disease. A full phase-out of dental amalgam is planned as Canada complies with the Minamata Convention on Mercury. As a result, composite is now the practical standard at most Canadian dental offices.
For a detailed comparison of materials, durability and CDCP coverage by type, see our dedicated page on composite vs amalgam fillings.
1-surface vs 2-surface vs 3-surface filling costs
Provincial fee guides price fillings by the number of surfaces restored:
| Surfaces | Approximate CAD (national avg) | Ontario range | PEI (low end) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-surface | ~$155 | $175–$195 | $120 |
| 2-surface | ~$185–$215 | $205–$255 | $150–$170 |
| 3-surface | ~$210–$260 | $235–$310 | $175–$200 |
Multi-surface fillings involve restoring more of the tooth and take longer to place. Each additional surface adds roughly $30–$60 CAD in most provinces. A 3-surface filling in Ontario can reach $250–$310 for a posterior tooth. The CDCP covers multiple surfaces per appointment — each surface is assessed against the 24-month limitation independently.
CDCP coverage rules for fillings
The Canadian Dental Care Plan covers composite (and amalgam) fillings under its restorative section with no pre-authorization required. The key limitation to know:
- One filling per tooth surface per 24 months. If a surface was restored and the filling fails within 24 months, CDCP may not cover a replacement unless clinical failure is documented.
- The CDCP grid fee may be lower than the provincial suggested fee. A gap between the CDCP fee and your dentist's charge can result in a balance bill even at the 100% coverage tier.
| Income tier | CDCP pays | Your co-pay |
|---|---|---|
| Under $70,000 | 100% of the CDCP fee | 0% |
| $70,000–$79,999 | 60% of the CDCP fee | 40% |
| $80,000–$89,999 | 40% of the CDCP fee | 60% |
| $90,000 and above | Not eligible | 100% |
What happens during a composite filling procedure?
A composite filling appointment typically follows these steps:
- Examination and X-ray — the dentist confirms the extent of the cavity.
- Local anaesthetic — the tooth and surrounding gum are numbed.
- Decay removal — a dental drill removes the decayed tooth structure.
- Tooth conditioning — a mild acid gel etches the surface so the composite bonds securely.
- Composite application — the resin is applied in thin layers, each cured with a UV light.
- Shaping and polishing — the filling is trimmed, shaped to the bite, and polished.
The entire procedure takes 30–60 minutes depending on the size and location of the cavity. Multiple fillings can be done in a single visit, though extensive treatment may be split over two appointments.
When a filling isn't enough: inlays, onlays and crowns
If the cavity is too large for a direct filling — typically when more than half the biting surface is affected — your dentist may recommend an indirect restoration:
- Inlay — a custom restoration fitted within the tooth cusps, similar to a filling but lab-fabricated. Costs approximately $500–$900 CAD in most provinces.
- Onlay — covers one or more cusps of the tooth, bridging the gap between a filling and a crown. Typically $700–$1,200 CAD.
- Crown — a full cap over the entire tooth, used when structural integrity is compromised. See our dental crown cost guide for 2026 province-by-province data.
Neither inlays nor onlays appear on provincial suggested-fee guides as discrete line items; these are market estimates from 2026 Canadian clinic pricing.
Open dataset
Filling-cost figures on this page come from our publicly licensed dataset:
Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland figures are estimates and are flagged as such.
Related pages
- Composite vs Amalgam Fillings — full material comparison, phase-out timeline, CDCP coverage by type
- Filling Cost by Province — full province-by-province table with multi-surface cost breakdowns
- CDCP Coverage Guide — full coverage matrix, income tiers, pre-authorization rules
- Dental Costs in Canada — all procedures, recall exam to implants
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental filling cost in Canada?
Does the CDCP cover dental fillings?
Are white (composite) or silver (amalgam) fillings cheaper in Canada?
How long do composite fillings last in Canada?
Can I get multiple fillings done in one appointment?
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.
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 or Sun Life Financial. Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland figures are 2026 market estimates and have not been sourced from official published provincial fee guides.