Everything You Should Know About Same Day Dental Fillings Covered by CDCP

Dental decay, chipped teeth, or a lost filling can strike at any time, and often, you want a fix now, not a few days later. Same day dental fillings are a way to restore teeth quickly, with minimal visits, less discomfort, and faster recovery. But many people wonder: Does the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) cover them? 

In this article, you’ll learn what same-day fillings are, how they differ from traditional fillings, what the CDCP covers, and what you need to know to ensure you get timely, affordable care. First, let’s learn more about this service and its benefits.

What Are Same Day Dental Fillings? 

Same-day dental fillings refer to the process of removing decay or repairing damage in a single visit, then placing a filling material immediately so the tooth is restored during that same appointment. Traditional treatments might require multiple visits, for example, waiting for a lab, or placing a temporary filling, then returning for a permanent one. Same-day fills use modern materials (composite resins, glass ionomer, sometimes advanced ceramic inlays or onlays done with in-house CAD/CAM systems) to complete restoration quickly.

The Benefits of Same-Day Fillings  

Same-day fillings offer numerous advantages, especially when combined with a plan like the CDCP.

• Time-saving for patient convenience
  Less travel, fewer work/school absences; everything resolved in one trip.
• Faster relief
  If you’re in pain or have sensitivity, filling the tooth right away alleviates issues swiftly.
• Reduced chance of complications
  When a damaged tooth is left untreated, the risk of infection, further decay, or breakage increases. Same-day fixes lessen those risks.
• Aesthetic benefits
  Using tooth-coloured materials means the restoration is less noticeable. Good for visible teeth, front teeth especially.
• Potential cost efficiency
  Although same-day fillings might use slightly more advanced materials or equipment, reducing the number of visits can reduce indirect costs (time off work, transportation). Under the right coverage, your out-of-pocket costs may also be lower.
• Comfort
  Fewer injections, fewer occasions of discomfort, less anxiety (since you know it’s resolved in one go). 

If you’re an adult and looking to use the benefits of the Canadian Dental Care Plan, read our guide to CDCP for adults and learn how this program works for you.

Are Same-Day Dental Fillings Covered by the CDCP?

Yes, dental fillings are covered as a basic restorative service under the CDCP, and there is no restriction against performing or covering them on the same day as the initial exam or diagnosis. This means if your dentist identifies a cavity during a covered visit and recommends an immediate filling to prevent further issues, the procedure is eligible for CDCP reimbursement. As long as you meet the plan’s eligibility criteria and the service adheres to its guidelines, the cost will be covered.

Check out our guide to renewing your Canadian Dental Care Plan, and learn practical insights about when and how to renew your plan. 

How CDCP Covers Same-Day Fillings  

Below is a breakdown of how CDCP applies to same-day fillings: what exactly is covered, how much, and who qualifies. This will help you plan better.

Reference: Canada.ca

Covered Services

Restorative services include permanent fillings and temporary fillings for treating cavities, and a same-day filling is one type of restorative service. If your dentist can finish the filling in one visit, that is within what CDCP allows.

Read more: Canadian Dental Care Plan Coverage

Co-payments / Cost Sharing

The coverage is based on adjusted family net income: 

• < $70,000 = 100% at the established CDCP fee
• $70,000–79,999 = 60%
• $80,000–89,999 = 40%
• >$90,000 = not eligible 

So, if your adjusted family net income is between $70,000 and $89,999, you may need to pay the co-payment plus any fee difference if your dentist’s charge exceeds the CDCP fee schedule.

Preauthorization 

The same-day dental filling service itself does not require preauthorization, but additional procedures may require it. For example, if the procedure is more complex than a standard filling and involves posts, core, or a crown-level repair, preauthorization may be needed, or coverage could be reduced.

Frequency Limits

Adults get one filling per tooth per surface every 24 months, while children get one filling per tooth per surface every 12 months. For example, if you get a composite filling on your lower right molar’s chewing surface on September 21, 2025, the CDCP won’t cover another filling on that same surface until at least September 21, 2027 (for adults) or September 21, 2026 (for children).

However, if a different surface of that tooth or another tooth needs a filling on the same day or later, it’s eligible, assuming you’re within the limit for those surfaces.

Emergency Fillings

If you’re in urgent pain from a cavity, broken filling, or sudden tooth damage, the CDCP does cover the services needed to stabilize and treat that problem. For example, if you show up at our office with a severe toothache caused by a cavity, our emergency dentist in North York may clean out the decay and place a same-day filling to stop the pain and prevent the damage from getting worse.

The CDCP also includes coverage for emergency exams and treatments designed to control pain or infection. That means if your dentist decides a same-day filling is the fastest and best way to relieve your emergency, it would typically fall under this dental emergency category and still be reimbursed by CDCP. 

The main thing to remember is that while “same-day” is not a separate service code in the plan, the work itself, whether done in an emergency or scheduled visit, is recognized as a filling, and fillings are covered.

Read more: Cost of Emergency Dental Services in Toronto

The Same-Day Filling Process  

If you already have CDCP eligibility, and you present at Walk-In Dental Clinic (or another clinic that accepts CDCP), here’s what you can expect when getting a same-day filling.

1. Initial assessment & exam: The dentist will examine the tooth, checking if there is decay, infection, or other complications.
2. Discussion of options: You’ll be told whether a same-day filling is suitable. Sometimes, due to the depth of decay, infection, or structural concerns, a more involved procedure might be needed.
3. Consent & cost discussion: You’ll be told what part is covered under CDCP, what your co-payment will be (if any), and whether any charges above the CDCP fee schedule apply.
4. Preparation: Removal of decay, cleaning of the cavity, isolating the tooth (keeping it dry), and shaping the cavity if needed. Local anaesthetic may also be administered.
5. Placement of the filling: Using the selected material (composite, glass ionomer, etc.), the dentist bonds or places the filling, shapes, polishes, checks occlusion (bite), and ensures comfort.
6. Finishing touches and check: The dentist will check that the filling feels right when you bite, that the margins are smooth, that no rough edges, and that there’s no discomfort or sensitivity.

Same-Day vs Traditional Dental Fillings Timeline

Here is a rough timeline of a same-day filling versus traditional to help you easily understand the process. 

Step	Same-Day Filling	Traditional (if lab-based or multi-visit)
Decay removal & prep	Same visit	Same visit
Impression/lab work	Usually none needed	Impression made, sent to lab and return visit required
Temporary restoration	Rare or none	Often used if lab restorative work is needed
Final restoration	Same visit	Subsequent visit(s) needed
Total time to finish	1 appointment (≈ 30-90 min, depending)	Multiple appointments over days/weeks

Aftercare Tips

After you get a same-day filling, proper care helps ensure its durability, comfort, and long-term success. It’s important to remember that you should avoid eating or drinking until numbness has worn off to prevent biting your lip or cheek. Also, for the first 24 to 48 hours, try to avoid very hard or sticky foods (nuts, hard candy, chewing gum), especially on the filled tooth.

At the same time, maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing daily, paying extra attention to the area around the filling margin. If you feel sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweet foods that gradually improves, that can be normal. However, if it persists after a few weeks, contact your dentist.

If you notice pain when biting, or the filling feels “high,” schedule a return visit to the clinic, as slight adjustments may be needed.

Make the Most of Same-Day Dental Fillings Covered by CDCP

At Walk-In Dental Clinic, our goal is to make dental care accessible, comfortable, and stress-free. Same-day dental fillings are a powerful tool for immediate relief and efficient treatment. If you qualify under the CDCP and your dental issue is suitable for a same-day approach, you can often get restored in one appointment, with much of the cost covered.

If you think you might need a filling, or you’ve experienced dental pain or an emergency, don’t wait. Contact us at Walk-In Dental Clinic today; our emergency dentist in Vaughan will check your CDCP status, assess your situation, and see whether a same-day filling is the best option for you.

Book your same-day appointment now with Walk-In Dental Clinic and take the first step to restoring your smile!

FAQ

We aim to support you in making informed decisions about your oral health. If you have more questions or want to share your experience with same-day fillings, leave a comment below; we’d love to hear from you!