Tooth-Coloured, Mercury-Free Fillings in Ottawa

A Filling You Can't See

When you need a filling, there's no reason it has to show. Tooth-coloured, mercury-free fillings blend right in with your natural tooth, so a cavity repair stays your business and no one else's. At BluSky Dental, composite is our standard - and it's not just about looks. Here's how these fillings work and how they compare to the old silver kind, with your Ottawa dentist.

What Are Composite Fillings?

A composite filling is made from a tooth-coloured resin - a blend of plastic and fine glass particles. It's matched to your tooth's shade, bonds directly to the tooth structure, and contains no mercury or metal. Because it bonds, we can often remove less healthy tooth to place it, and it helps support what remains.

Composite vs. Silver Amalgam

The differences are easy to see - literally. Silver amalgam fillings are grey and visible, contain mercury, require removing more tooth, and don't bond (they're held in by shape alone). Tooth-coloured composite matches your enamel, is mercury-free, is more conservative, and bonds to the tooth. Amalgam does tend to last a little longer on average (10 to 15 years versus roughly 7 to 10 for composite), but for most people the natural look and mercury-free peace of mind make composite the clear preference.

Should You Replace Old Silver Fillings?

It depends. If a silver filling is cracked, leaking, or has new decay underneath, replacing it is the right call. If your amalgam fillings are intact and causing no problems, replacing them is a personal choice - some patients do it for the natural look or to go mercury-free, and that's perfectly reasonable. When we do remove amalgam, we use careful protocols (high-volume suction and rubber-dam isolation) to keep it safe. We're happy to evaluate your existing fillings and give you an honest recommendation.

What to Expect

Getting a composite filling is quick and comfortable. We numb the area if needed, remove any decay, prepare and bond the tooth, then build up the composite in layers, curing each one, before shaping and polishing it to match. Most fillings take 30 to 60 minutes. A little sensitivity afterward is normal and short-lived - and if your bite feels "high," a quick adjustment sorts it out.

Cost and Coverage

In Ottawa, a tooth-coloured filling typically runs $150 to $650, depending on its size and location. Most dental plans cover fillings well - often around 80% - and we verify your coverage and bill directly. These are general ranges; you'll get a clear estimate before we begin.

When a Filling Isn't the Best Option

Composite is ideal for small and medium cavities. For a very large cavity or a weakened tooth, a filling may not provide enough strength - in those cases an inlay, onlay, or crown is a more durable choice. We'll always recommend the option that will last.

Natural-Looking, Mercury-Free Care

Need a filling, or thinking about replacing old silver ones? Book a visit at BluSky Dental and we'll take a look. Complete your new patient forms online to get started.