Does CDCP Cover Fillings in 2026? Composite, Amalgam & Co-Pay Math

Last updated 2026-05-24. Fact-checked against Sun Life CDCP benefit grid -- restorative category.

Yes -- CDCP covers fillings, including both composite (tooth-coloured) and amalgam (silver) materials, on both primary and permanent teeth. A standard filling costs you $0 at the 0% co-pay bracket. Here's the surface-billing math, posterior vs anterior rules, and what trips up most patients with multi-surface fillings.

Key Takeaways

• Both composite and amalgam fillings are covered under the restorative category.
• Fillings are billed per surface (one tooth can have a 1-surface, 2-surface, 3-surface, or 4-surface filling depending on how much of the tooth is restored).
• Federal CDCP fee schedule: roughly $120-$200 for a single-surface filling; multi-surface fillings scale up proportionally.
• No preauthorization for standard fillings. Complex multi-surface or specialty restorations may require it.
• Posterior composite is fully covered -- some private insurance plans only cover amalgam on back teeth, but CDCP doesn't impose this restriction.

What's covered

Filling type	Covered?	Preauthorization?	Notes
Composite (tooth-coloured), anterior	Yes	No	Front teeth
Composite (tooth-coloured), posterior	Yes	No	Back teeth -- fully covered, no material restriction
Amalgam (silver), permanent teeth	Yes	No	Back teeth typically
Glass ionomer	Yes	No	Often used in primary teeth or specific clinical situations
1-4 surface fillings	Yes	No	Most fillings fall here
5+ surface fillings or complex restorations	Yes	Sometimes	Approaches crown territory; may need preauth
Replacement of failed previous fillings	Yes	Sometimes	Frequency limits apply for same tooth/surface combinations

How surface billing works

This is the part most patients don't realize. Fillings aren't billed as flat per-tooth fees -- they're billed by how many surfaces of the tooth are restored.

Tooth surfaces (5 total per tooth):

• Occlusal (chewing surface, top of molars)
• Mesial (side closer to front of mouth)
• Distal (side closer to back of mouth)
• Buccal/Facial (cheek-side / front-facing)
• Lingual (tongue-side / back-facing)

A small cavity touching just the occlusal surface = 1-surface filling. A larger decay crossing the chewing surface AND the side facing the next tooth = 2-surface filling (occlusal-mesial or OM). Big decay involving the chewing surface plus both sides = 3-surface (MOD).

Filling	Federal CDCP fee (typical)	Your co-pay at 0% / 40% / 60%
1-surface composite	~$135	$0 / ~$54 / ~$81
2-surface composite	~$170	$0 / ~$68 / ~$102
3-surface composite	~$210	$0 / ~$84 / ~$126
4-surface composite	~$255	$0 / ~$102 / ~$153

(Federal fee schedule amounts are illustrative; exact rates depend on the specific code billed and the current Sun Life benefit grid.)

Posterior composite -- a CDCP advantage

Many private dental insurance plans cover only amalgam (silver) fillings on back teeth, with composite (tooth-coloured) requiring an upgrade payment. CDCP does not impose this restriction. Composite is fully covered on posterior teeth at the same federal fee schedule rate.

This matters because:

• Composite is more aesthetic


• Composite bonds chemically to tooth structure (better marginal seal in many cases)


• Many patients prefer composite for the appearance

If your dentist is recommending amalgam for clinical reasons (durability in heavy bite areas, specific case complexity), that's a separate conversation. For routine fillings, you can choose composite without an upgrade charge under CDCP.

What about replacing old fillings?

Replacement fillings are covered, but CDCP applies frequency limits to discourage rapid replacement cycles. The typical guideline: a filling on the same tooth/surface combination is covered for replacement after a reasonable interval (usually 2+ years) unless clinical evidence justifies earlier replacement (caries recurrence, fracture, etc.).

Your dentist's clinical documentation supports the necessity of the replacement.

From Dr. Kaur

"Most patients are surprised that CDCP covers posterior composite the same as amalgam. They've come from private insurance where they always paid an upgrade for tooth-coloured fillings on back teeth, and now they're being told there's no extra charge. It's one of the quiet wins of the program. The other thing patients don't realize is that fillings are billed per surface, not per tooth. If we tell you we're doing a 'two-surface filling on tooth 36,' that's not a typo -- it's how the billing reflects the actual restoration size."

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-- Dr. Abinaash Kaur, DDS, The Village Dentist, 750 Annette St, Toronto

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CDCP cover composite (white) fillings on back teeth? Yes, with no material restriction. Composite is fully covered on both anterior and posterior teeth at the federal fee schedule rate. Does CDCP cover amalgam (silver) fillings? Yes. Amalgam remains a covered material in the CDCP fee schedule. Does the dentist charge me extra to upgrade from amalgam to composite? Not under CDCP. The federal schedule pays the same rate for either material. If your dentist charges an upgrade fee, ask why -- it may be above-schedule billing that requires your written consent first. Does CDCP cover the cost if I need a filling on every tooth? Yes -- each filling is billed and covered separately. There's no cap on the number of fillings per visit or per year. What if my filling falls out or breaks? Replacement is covered. If it's within a short timeframe (months) of the original filling, your dentist may also bill it as a warranty repair without re-charging. Are sedation services covered when I get a filling? Sedation (oral, nitrous, IV) is covered separately under the sedation category, typically with preauthorization. Routine fillings don't require sedation; if your case does, your dentist will discuss the preauthorization path. Will CDCP cover replacing my old amalgam fillings with composite? If the original fillings are functional and don't show clinical evidence of failure, replacement just for cosmetic upgrade is typically considered non-covered. If there's recurrent decay, marginal breakdown, or other clinical justification, the replacement is covered.

References

1. Government of Canada. What services are covered in the Canadian Dental Care Plan. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/coverage.html
2. Sun Life. Dental benefit grids -- CDCP. https://www.sunlife.ca/sl/cdcp/en/provider/dental-benefit-grids/
3. Government of Canada. CDCP Dental Benefits Guide. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/dental/dental-care-plan/guide.html
4. Canadian Dental Association. Restorative dentistry information. https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/

Bottom line

CDCP covers composite and amalgam fillings on both primary and permanent teeth, anterior and posterior, with no material upgrade fees. Fillings are billed per surface (1-4 surfaces typical). A single-surface composite filling costs $0 at the 0% bracket, roughly $54 at 40%, and roughly $81 at 60%. Multi-surface fillings scale proportionally. Preauthorization isn't required for standard fillings; only complex multi-surface or specialty restorations may need it. The posterior composite policy (covered at the same rate as amalgam) is a meaningful CDCP advantage over many private insurance plans.

Need help using your CDCP coverage?

If you're in Toronto or the GTA: We're a CDCP-participating dental practice at 750 Annette St in Bloor West Village. Book a CDCP-covered filling appointment or call (416) 760-0404. If you're outside the GTA: Use the Sun Life provider search to find a participating dentist in your area.

Related posts

• Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) 2026: Complete Guide
• What CDCP Actually Covers in 2026
• Does CDCP Cover Cleanings & Exams in 2026?

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Clinically reviewed by Dr. Abinaash Kaur, DDS, on 2026-05-24. Dr. Kaur is a general dentist in Toronto registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO).