As seen in Woodbury Magazine
Dr. Erik Davis DDS and his wife Amy are proud Minnesotans who once experienced the brilliant beauty of the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, while on vacation in Iceland. It’s this deep appreciation for life here in the northland that partly inspired Davis to name his Woodbury dental practice Aurora Dentistry. There are framed photos Davis took of the Northern Lights on display in his clinic where visitors are welcomed into a comfortable and professional space and treated like family.
Minnesota born and raised, Davis attended dental school at the University of Minnesota and has spent time helping patients at the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System and in various community dental clinics as well as in private practice. Now, married to a Woodbury native and father to an energetic toddler, Davis is settling into Woodbury where he purchased a private dental practice from well-regarded local dentists Drs. Martin and Julie Clasen DDS who plan to remain a part of Davis’s Aurora Dentistry team. “A wonderful tradition has been built here,” says Davis who is excited to focus on the future and to be another resource who helps patients feel comfortable and contribute to their overall well-being.
Davis was drawn to dentistry after having experienced extensive dental work on his own smile, including surgery and braces. He says the “fix” for his dental issues involved a surgery-intensive approach and that if minor adjustments had not been overlooked when he was younger, his treatment plan may have gone easier.
“I have so much respect for the specialists who helped me get where I am now,” says Davis, “and my experience gave me an appreciation for really being meticulous with kids and to fully diagnose what’s going on as early as possible, noting where little tweaks can make a big difference. Treating kids at younger ages may seem too early to parents, but the goal is to get teeth in generally the right spots in order to prevent bigger problems that require more extensive treatments later on. I’ve always wanted to be someone who could figure out how to help others not go through what I went through.” Also, Davis’s volunteer work with high-needs children through organizations like the American Dental Association’s Give Kids a Smile has given him insight and experience into an oral care approach that is light-hearted and fun.
Davis carries his forward-thinking dental care philosophy through to his adult patients in ways that are preservative; creating treatment plans that maintain the strength and health of what’s going well and require minimally invasive procedures that don’t compromise the entire body or foundation of any tooth. Most importantly, Aurora Dentistry provides patients with more than just cleanings. Davis contributes to his patients’ overall wellbeing, making sure they are generally healthy with exams that check the head and neck, and include discussions about nutrition and sleep.
Rebuilding a smile can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Davis says, “I had a patient that I got to know well, who came in with some pretty big cavities and was embarrassed, and who had put off another dentist’s recommended treatment because it was cost prohibitive. I prefer to determine a patient’s overall needs including what’s workable. I provided a customized treatment plan that was a more conservative option but worked better for the patient financially.” She was happy to learn that an alternative approach was possible, that a dentist like Davis can save a tooth from bigger, more costly treatments. Davis says this ultra-conservative approach takes time to complete well but it’s about the patient and “this was the best treatment option for her, and it was wonderful to see the transformation and how much more confident she was with her smile.”
Aurora Dentistry is equipped to address many levels of dental care, from preventative to restorative, including advanced procedures that can be done in-house. “We are fortunate to be part of a wonderful dental community,” says Davis, who is president-elect of the Minnesota Dental Association St. Paul district and who collaborates with many local specialists. That said, Aurora Dentistry has invested in cutting-edge clinic resources including a full surgical suite, laser technology, scanning for Invisalign aligners (alleviating the need for impressions) and in- office milling for same-day crowns. From fillings to dental implants, much can be accomplished comfortably at Aurora Dentistry where they’ve even invested in quiet tools so patients can receive treatment without the anxiety-inducing hum you might remember from years past.
“It’s our goal to continue building on our knowledge base in order to provide the best dental care in a calming and comfortable setting,” says Davis. It’s also important to Davis that he focus on community initiatives and giving back to the Woodbury community. So, be sure to say, “Hello” when you see him out and about supporting community events. And don’t hesitate to give Aurora Dentistry a call if you or your family would benefit from more personalized dental care.