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Emergency Dental Care

At Bowers and Oki Family Dentistry, we understand that sometimes emergencies happen. Teeth don't adhere to a schedule and may end up hurting or breaking when you least expect it. In order to help accommodate for emergencies, we offer expanded hours and Friday appointments so you can see us before or after work, or before the weekend. We offer same day appointments at our Albuquerque, NM dental office for patients in need, regardless of whether you are an existing patient or a new patient who hasn't seen any dentist in decades. Call us at 505-884-6408 to schedule your emergency dental visit, or make an appointment online if you are having an emergency after hours.

Common Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies are a common occurrence. At Bowers and Oki Family Dentistry, we are equipped to handle many different types of dental emergencies. Some common conditions we treat on an emergency basis include:

Knocked out, avulsed, or displaced teeth
Acute dental infections and abscessed teeth causing swelling and/or tooth pain
Broken or chipped teeth, fillings, crowns, bridges or dentures
Crowns or fillings that are missing or have fallen out
Dental complications related to falls, surgery, car accidents, or other trauma to the teeth and mouth
Severe jaw pain, TMJ Disorder related pain

What To Do If you Have a Dental Emergency

If you think you are having a dental emergency, call our office where our friendly and knowledgeable receptionist or on call doctor will be able to assist you. We are here to help, whether you are in severe pain or worried about a potential problem. We will ask you a few questions about your symptoms, so that we can determine the best course of action for your particular emergency. Whenever necessary, we are available for same day emergency dental appointments, and can often begin treatment at that time.

While some emergencies can wait until the morning or for a few days, there are cases where an immediate appointment is necessary. Symptoms such as swelling, fever, severe pain, a knocked out or displaced tooth or jaw should be evaluated as soon as possible. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call our office right away at 505-884-6408.

What to Expect at Your Emergency Visit

When you arrive for you emergency dental appointment, our skilled dentists will evaluate your tooth to determine the cause of your pain and your treatment options. This evaluation will often consist of a dental xray along with an exam of the area of concern. Once the cause of your emergency is discovered, we will discuss your treatment options so that you can make the best decision for your tooth and mouth.

Whenever possible, we will provide treatment at your emergency dental appointment. Some common emergency dental treatments include:

Dental Crowns
Dental Fillings
Root Canals
Extractions
Oral appliances/nightguards
Medications

To learn more about each of the various treatment options, please visit our services page.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

While not all dental emergencies can be avoided, there are steps you can take to prevent dental emergencies.

Regular checkups and cleaning with your dentist, along with good oral healthcare will help to keep your mouth healthy. Brushing, flossing, and a healthy diet are important steps in preventing the development of gum disease and tooth decay. Tooth decay is a common cause of dental infections that lead to swelling, and severe pain. At your dental cleaning, we remove harmful bacteria that can cause infections, decay, and gum disease. Your dentist will also check the health of your gums, teeth, fillings, crowns, bridges and other restorations during your dental checkup. Catching tooth decay, worn out fillings and crowns, and gum disease early means you can treat these problems before they become painful or more extensive problems. Our goal during these regular appointments is to help prevent emergencies and other dental problems.

Contact Us Today

Don't let your dental emergency go untreated, contact us today! We are here to help you get out of pain and start your journey towards a healthy mouth. Dental pain and other dental emergencies will not get better on their own, and left untreated can lead to more problems and more costly treatment. We understand that fear, embarrassment and uncertainty can keep you out of the dental office. Our team of knowledgeable, gentle, compassionate dentists are happy to take care of you under any circumstance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you make same day appointments?

Yes! If you are having a dental emergency, give our office a call. We are usually able to get patients in that day for an evaluation. We know that dental pain and broken teeth cannot be planned for and are here to help you.

To make an emergency dental appointment, call our office at 505-884-6408. You can also schedule your appointment online by clicking the Make and Appointment button. If you do not see an appointment available online, call our office so we can find an available time to take care of you.

How soon can you see me for a dental emergency?

We typically see patients with dental emergency on the same day. We have time reserved for emergencies in our day, so call us as soon as you notice a problem to make your appointment.

If you are having an emergency after hours, you can schedule an emergency appointment online or contact the doctors on the emergency telephone line. The doctors are available to assist you over the phone and answer any questions you may have.

I lost a filling, how do I know if it is a dental emergency?

A tooth can go a few days with a missing filling, but we typically do not recommend waiting longer. If your tooth is hurting, sensitive, sharp, cutting your lip or tongue we do want to see you as soon as possible. If the tooth lost a filling or crown but is not hurting or bothering you, we can see you within a few days to a week.

If you have lost a crown or filling, call our office. We are here to answer your questions and determine the most appropriate time and treatment.

What is a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is any time you are having pain, swelling, or trauma to the teeth or jaw. Some common types of dental emergencies include:

Knocked out, avulsed, or displaced teeth
Acute dental infections and abscessed teeth causing swelling and/or tooth pain
Broken or chipped teeth, fillings, crowns, bridges or dentures
Crowns or fillings that are missing or have fallen out
Dental complications related to falls, surgery, car accidents, or other trauma to the teeth and mouth
Severe jaw pain, TMJ Disorder related pain

For many dental emergencies, it is best to get an appointment the day the trauma or pain occurs so that you can be evaluated. In some cases, an immediate appointment is not necessary and can wait a few days. If you have any concerns, call our office and our friendly receptionists can help to answer your questions and determine the best time for an evaluation.

Meet Our Doctor:

Jonathan Bowers DMD
Dentist

Dr. Jonathan Bowers is originally from Janesville, Wisconsin. He received his BS in Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin. After working as a biochemist for a few years, he then attended Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine for his dental education. There, he met his now wife and partner, Dr. Jennifer Oki. Moving to Albuquerque after a few years in Phoenix, Arizona, they fell in love with the "Land of Enchantment." Dr. Bowers enjoys hiking, tennis, and a great meal. Dr. Bowers is a member of the Seattle Study ...