The Art of the Smile Makeover Your smile is often the first thing people notice. If you find yourself hiding your teeth due to chips, gaps, or deep discoloration that whitening can't fix, porcelain veneers may be the transformative solution you’ve been looking for. Veneers are thin, custom-crafted shells of ceramic that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth, instantly correcting a multitude of imperfections. Porcelain vs. Composite: Choosing Your Material At Luminara Dental , we offer both porcelain and composite resin veneers. Understanding the difference is key to planning your smile makeover. Porcelain Veneers: Aesthetics: Porcelain mimics the light-reflecting properties of natural enamel perfectly. It is highly resistant to coffee, tea, and wine stains. Longevity: With proper care, porcelain veneers can last 10 to 15 years or longer. Investment: In Ontario, the cost typically ranges from $800 to $2,500 per tooth. The higher cost reflects the laboratory craftsmanship and durable material. Composite Veneers: Process: The resin is applied directly to the tooth and sculpted by the dentist in a single visit. Longevity: Typically 5 to 7 years; they are more prone to chipping and staining over time. Investment: A more budget-friendly option, ranging from $250 to $1,500 per tooth. The Procedure: What to Expect Getting porcelain veneers is a multi-step artistic process. Consultation & Design: We discuss your aesthetic goals. Do you want a "Hollywood white" smile or a natural enhancement? Preparation: A tiny amount of enamel (about 0.5mm) is removed from the front of the tooth to ensure the veneer sits flush and doesn't look bulky. Fabrication: Impressions are sent to a specialized dental lab where technicians hand-craft your veneers. Bonding: You return to our Stittsville clinic where the veneers are permanently bonded to your teeth. A Note on "Dental Tourism " We often hear about low-cost veneer packages abroad (e.g., Turkey). While the upfront price is lower, we urge caution. International treatments often involve aggressive tooth reduction ("crowns" marketed as veneers) and lack the long-term follow-up care available with a local Ottawa dentist. Your smile is a lifetime asset; trust it to a regulated professional who will be there to support you for years to come.
When Seconds Count Dental emergencies rarely happen at convenient times. Whether it’s a hockey injury at a local Stittsville rink or a sudden, debilitating toothache in the middle of the night, panic is a natural response. However, knowing exactly what to do in the first 30 minutes can mean the difference between saving a tooth and losing it. Luminara Dental is committed to providing rapid response care for our community. Identifying a True Dental Emergency Not every dental issue requires a midnight trip to the clinic, but the following situations demand immediate attention: Avulsed (Knocked-Out) Tooth: This is the most time-sensitive emergency. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, keep it moist. Place it back in the socket if possible, or store it in a container of cold milk. Do not scrub the root. You have a window of roughly one to six hours to re-implant the tooth successfully. Facial Swelling: Swelling that extends to the eye or neck, or causes difficulty swallowing, can indicate a severe abscess. This is a potentially life-threatening infection that requires immediate antibiotics and drainage. Uncontrollable Bleeding: If pressure does not stop oral bleeding after trauma, urgent care is needed. Severe Pain: Pain that prevents sleep or is not relieved by over-the-counter medication suggests nerve involvement or severe decay. After-Hours Support: The Ottawa Dental Society Connection We believe our responsibility to patients extends beyond our office hours. Luminara Dental is a proud participant in the Ottawa Dental Society (ODS) Emergency Service . If you experience a crisis when our Stittsville clinic is closed, you can call 613-523-4185 to be connected with an on-call dentist between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., seven days a week. This network ensures that you are never left without professional support. Financial Preparedness for Emergencies Emergency exams and treatments are often covered by standard dental insurance plans. If you do not have insurance, the ODS service and our clinic can provide clear fee structures for urgent palliative care. The priority is always to alleviate pain and stabilize the condition first. Tip: Keep our number (613-523-4185 for after-hours) saved in your phone. In a dental emergency, you don’t want to be searching Google—you want to be dialing help.
For many adults in Ottawa, the desire for a straighter smile is often outweighed by the reluctance to wear metal braces in a professional setting. The "metal mouth" aesthetic, while effective, can feel incompatible with client meetings and social engagements. Enter Invisalign: the clear, wire-free solution that has revolutionized adult orthodontics. At Luminara Dental , we see firsthand how this technology empowers patients to achieve their ideal smile without compromising their lifestyle.
