27+
Years Serving Boulder
735+
Five-Star Google Reviews
3
Financing Options Accepted
100%
Fee-for-Service Practice
When a tooth suddenly shatters, pain shoots through your jaw, or your face swells without warning, panic sets in fast — and the last thing you have time to do is wonder where to turn. Dental emergencies don’t wait for convenient hours, and they rarely give much notice before they arrive. Getting to the right dentist quickly is what separates a saved tooth from a lost one, and a manageable situation from a complicated one that takes months to resolve.
At Alber Dental Studio in Boulder, Dr. Marc Alber and Dr. Lauren Llorente built this practice specifically with urgent situations in mind. During business hours, we can virtually guarantee a same-day appointment — even for patients who have never visited before. We have dedicated overflow chairs precisely for these moments. When emergencies happen on weekends, Dr. Alber leaves his cell number on the answering machine so patients can reach him directly, and most of the time, he is available to see you. Whether you are dealing with severe tooth pain, a broken tooth, a lost crown, or anything in between, our team delivers prompt care so you can get back to your life. For the full range of restorative dental care that follows an emergency, we are equipped to handle it all under one roof.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
Not every dental issue demands a same-day call, but many do — and when in doubt, call us. Many patients make the mistake of waiting out pain that gets progressively worse, which often turns a manageable problem into a far more complex one. According to the American Dental Association, emergency room visits for dental conditions cost three times more than a visit to the dentist, yet most hospitals cannot provide the treatment needed to actually resolve the underlying issue. The right move is always to call a dental office first.
The following situations all call for immediate attention, and our team is ready to address each one. If you are experiencing any of these, contact us before heading anywhere else:
- Severe toothache: Pain that is persistent, radiating, or accompanied by swelling often signals an infection or abscess that needs prompt treatment to prevent spread
- Knocked-out tooth: Time is critical — a tooth that is kept moist and brought in within the hour has the best chance of being saved
- Broken or cracked tooth: Whether from trauma or biting down the wrong way, a fractured tooth can expose the nerve and worsen rapidly
- Lost crown or filling: Leaving a tooth unprotected causes sensitivity and increases the risk of further damage or decay
- Dental abscess or facial swelling: An infection that is swelling is a serious situation that requires treatment quickly to protect your overall health
- Broken dental appliance: A sharp or broken appliance can damage surrounding tissue and needs to be assessed
Facing a Dental Emergency Right Now?
Don’t wait in pain. Call 303-449-3132 and our team will get you in as quickly as possible — same day whenever available.
Dr. Marc Alber, DDS
Dr. Alber and Dr. Llorente have spent over 26 years treating patients throughout Boulder — including countless same-day emergency cases. Every emergency visit is personally handled by one of our doctors, with no associate handoffs. When you call in pain, you get direct access to experienced providers who can assess, diagnose, and treat in a single appointment.
As a fee-for-service practice, your emergency treatment plan is built around what your tooth actually needs — not around what an insurance company is willing to pay. We also offer sedation dentistry, including nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation, for patients who experience dental anxiety during emergency visits.
Signs You Need Emergency Care Right Away
Some dental situations can’t wait. Call us immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth
- Severe facial swelling or jaw swelling with fever
- A knocked-out permanent tooth
- Visible pus or abscess near a tooth or gums
- Trauma from an accident or sports injury affecting the teeth
- Are looking for a long-term cosmetic investment
If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, call us — our team will help you triage over the phone and get you in as quickly as possible.
How Emergency Care Works at Alber Dental Studio
Call Us Right Away
Our team answers calls promptly and triages your situation over the phone. We confirm same-day availability and give you immediate guidance for managing pain or preserving a tooth before you arrive.
Same-Day Assessment
When you arrive, Dr. Alber or Dr. Llorente evaluates your pain level and overall condition using digital X-rays and intraoral cameras. If infection is present, antibiotics may be prescribed before proceeding. Sedation options including nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are available for patients experiencing dental anxiety during the visit.
Immediate Pain Relief
Stopping your pain is the first priority. Depending on your situation, this may involve local anesthesia, a prescription for antibiotics to address active infection, or temporary stabilization of a damaged tooth to protect it while healing begins.
Treatment and Restoration
When you arrive at Alber Dental Studio with a dental emergency, our team moves quickly. We will get you seated, assess your condition using digital X-rays and intraoral cameras, and explain exactly what is happening and what your options are. Depending on what we find, treatment may include a composite filling, a dental crown, a root canal, or tooth extractions when saving the tooth is not possible. We also offer sedation for patients who feel anxious about being in the chair unexpectedly, because relieving dental anxiety is always part of how we care for every patient.
Our CEREC 3D printing technology means that in many cases, we can fabricate a crown in a single visit — no temporary crown, no second appointment, no waiting. This is one of the most significant advantages of treating your emergency here rather than elsewhere.
Ready to Schedule? We Are Accepting New Patients.
Call our Boulder office or request an appointment online. Same-day appointments available for dental emergencies.
Dr. Alber on Handling Dental Emergencies
Managing Pain Before You Arrive
What to Do Before You Reach Us
Call us first — our team can guide you through the right steps for your specific situation. While you make your way to us:
For a knocked-out tooth: Pick the tooth up by the crown — never by the root. Rinse it gently without scrubbing and keep it moist by placing it back in the socket if possible, or storing it in a small container of milk. Time is critical; get in as quickly as you can.
For a broken or cracked tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek if there is swelling. If there is a sharp edge, dental wax can protect your tongue and soft tissue until you arrive. Our team may use CEREC technology to fabricate a same-day crown.
For severe tooth pain: Do not apply aspirin or any pain medication directly to the gum tissue — this causes tissue damage rather than relief. Over-the-counter ibuprofen taken as directed can help manage discomfort on the way in.
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Knocked-out tooth | Pick up by the crown, rinse gently without scrubbing, try to reinsert in socket or store in milk. Get to us within the hour. |
| Broken or chipped tooth | Rinse with warm water, apply a cold compress to the cheek to reduce swelling, cover any sharp edge with dental wax or sugarless gum. |
| Abscess or swelling | Rinse with warm salt water to draw out the infection temporarily. Do not lance or squeeze the area. Call us immediately — facial swelling can spread rapidly. |
| Lost crown or filling | Cover the exposed area with dental cement (available at pharmacies) or sugarless gum. Avoid chewing on that side. Call us to schedule same-day repair. |
Ready to Schedule? We Are Accepting New Patients.
Call our Boulder office or request an appointment online. Same-day appointments available for dental emergencies.
After Your Emergency Visit
Emergency Aftercare at Alber Dental Studio
After emergency treatment, our team provides clear aftercare instructions tailored to your specific procedure:
If antibiotics or pain relievers are prescribed, take the full course as directed to prevent recurrence of infection and speed healing.
Soft foods protect any temporary restoration or sensitive area while healing occurs. Avoid chewing on the treated side until your follow-up is complete.
Most emergency visits are stabilization appointments. A follow-up is typically scheduled within a few days to complete the permanent restoration and confirm healing is progressing as expected.
Increasing pain, spreading swelling, or fever after treatment should be reported to our team right away. Do not wait for your scheduled follow-up if symptoms are getting worse.
No Insurance? No Problem.
Choosing an emergency dentist means choosing someone you can trust to act quickly and treat you with care. Dr. Marc Alber and Dr. Lauren Llorente bring over 26 combined years of clinical experience to every patient they see, and the practice has earned more than 735 five-star reviews from the Boulder community for good reason. We have designed our office specifically to accommodate urgent situations, with dedicated overflow operatories that exist for exactly these moments. We do not ask emergency patients to wait in line — we fit you in.
We also understand that an unexpected dental visit can feel financially stressful. We offer dental financing options through CareCredit, Cherry, and Altheon, as well as our in-house Membership Club, which includes one emergency exam annually. No insurance is not a barrier to getting the care you need.
Also at Alber Dental Studio
Other Services You May Need
Emergency care often connects to follow-up restorative treatment. These services are all available at Alber Dental Studio.
When infection reaches the tooth’s inner pulp, a root canal relieves pain and saves the tooth — often in a single visit.
CEREC same-day crowns restore severely damaged or fractured teeth in a single visit, with no temporary crown needed.
When a tooth cannot be saved, gentle extraction is often the same day — followed by discussion of replacement options including dental implants.
Nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are available for anxious patients during any procedure, including emergency visits.
Read What Our Customers Are Saying
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is any condition requiring prompt care to relieve severe pain, stop bleeding, treat infection, or save a tooth. Common examples include a knocked-out or broken tooth, uncontrolled toothache, lost crown or filling, dental abscess, facial swelling, or trauma from an accident. If you are unsure, call us — our team can help you determine the right next step over the phone.
Can I get a same-day emergency dental appointment?
Yes. We work to get emergency patients in the same day — or by the very next morning. Call 303-449-3132 and our team will triage your situation over the phone, confirm availability, and give you guidance on managing pain or protecting a tooth before you arrive.
What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
Pick up the tooth by the crown — not the root. Rinse it gently with water without scrubbing. If possible, try to reinsert it in the socket and bite down gently to hold it in place. If reinsertion is not possible, store it in milk or keep it between your cheek and gum. Get to us within the hour — time is critical for reimplantation success.
Is sedation available for emergency appointments?
We use local anesthesia to manage pain during treatment, and sedation options including nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are available for patients who experience dental anxiety. Our priority on every emergency visit is stopping your pain as quickly as possible so you can relax and receive the care you need.
What happens if I ignore a dental abscess?
Coverage varies by plan. As a fee-for-service practice, we are not contracted with insurance companies, but many patients submit claims directly to their insurer for reimbursement. Our membership plan includes one emergency exam at no additional cost, and we offer 0% financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and Altheon to help make emergency care accessible regardless of coverage.
Do you offer emergency dental care for new patients?
Yes. We welcome new patients for emergency care. Call 303-449-3132 and our team will schedule you as quickly as possible — same day whenever available. You do not need to be an existing patient to receive emergency treatment at Alber Dental Studio.
Get Same-Day Emergency Dental Care in Boulder
Dr. Marc Alber and Dr. Lauren Llorente are committed to being accessible when it matters most — whether that means squeezing you in same-day, walking you through your options over the phone, or being available on weekends for urgent situations. Boulder deserves an emergency dentist who treats every case with the urgency it deserves, and that is exactly the standard this practice holds itself to.
Do not wait out pain or uncertainty. Contact our office through our appointment request form or call us at 303-449-3132 to be seen as soon as possible.