Welcome to our Office
At Fairmont Family Dentistry, our state-of-the-art practice utilizes the latest in dental technology to provide you with outstanding care. Our skilled and experienced team operates with a gentle touch to give you the best experience possible. We’re conveniently located just off of I-90 in beautiful Fairmont, Minnesota and we’ll be happy to see you!
Our Philosophy
It is our mission at Fairmont Family Dentistry to provide our patients with excellent dental care in a friendly, comfortable environment. We will seek to assess and diagnose your oral condition and recommend any appropriate treatment to remedy problems or improve your oral health. Usually, this means that patients have multiple options for treatment. We will explore all viable options with you and do our best to fully explain the benefits or limitations for each intervention.
Our Dentists
Dr. Jon T Erickson is a born and raised Minnesotan. He attended Bethel College, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing in 1984. After working in Rochester at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Erickson began dental school at the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1994. He continued his training with a general practice residency in the US Air Force, spending 3 years total serving our county. He founded Fairmont Family Dentistry in 1997.
Dr. Erickson has made patient comfort a priority in his continuing education courses. With a background in IV therapy and critical care nursing, sedation dentistry is a natural fit for him. Dr. Erickson is proud to be in a class of his own, being one of the few general dentists in Minnesota to offer IV sedation for surgical as well as general dentistry procedures.
Outside of work, Dr. Erickson loves spending his time with his wife and family and is an active member of his church.
Dr. Nathan Luitjens was born and raised in Windom, MN. In 2014 He graduated from Windom Area High School and then went on to college at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. He then graduated with his bachelors degree from SDSU in 2017. This spring he graduated from the University of Iowa dental school with my D.D.S degree.
Dr. Nathan and his wife, Kaitie look forward to being back in Southwest Minnesota along with their 10-month-old daughter, Payton, and cat, Haven. They enjoy spending time with family, being outdoors, playing board games, card games and video games. Dr. Nathan looks forward to getting involved in the local community and learning more about Fairmont and what it has to offer.
Technology
Our team is highly skilled and trained with the latest advances in dental technology. Our skill, combined with our dedication to quality care, makes your visit quicker, easier, and less painful. Our technology makes good use of your time by managing your records digitally, allowing you to fill out necessary forms at your convenience.
Panoramic X-Rays
Also known by the brand name Panorex, Panoramic X-Rays are wraparound photographs of the face and teeth. They offer a view that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye and expose hidden structures, like wisdom teeth, reveal preliminary signs of decay, and show fractures and bone loss. These x-rays are non-invasive and simple to perform, so we won’t have to put any film inside your mouth. Panoramic X-Rays are taken on an as-needed basis to give a better view of greater facial structures, not just individual teeth.
Digital X-Rays
Digital Radiography (x-rays) uses an electronic sensor instead of x-ray film to capture images of your mouth, which is immediately available in a digital format on our computer. These images can be zoomed in, so small details are easy to see, and problems can be detected early. Digital x-rays emit 80-90% less radiation than traditional x-rays, so they are safer than traditional x-rays. They are also safer for the environment because there are no chemicals used to process them.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” is used as a mild sedative. It is delivered through a nose hood throughout the entire procedure. Nitrous oxide elevates the general mood and can evoke a general sense of well-being. Most importantly, it relieves anxiety and reduces pain during the procedure. In addition, some tingling and numbness may be felt. There are few side effects associated with nitrous oxide, and it has been safely used in dentistry for many years.
IV Sedation
Intravenous sedation is a moderate type of sedation. Patients who have previously experienced IV sedation often report feeling like they slept through the entire procedure. Generally, IV sedation is used for shorter treatments. It is administered via direct injection into the bloodstream, which means the effects are immediate. Sometimes patients feel groggy and sleepy when the IV sedatives are withdrawn. Because the effects last longer than with laughing gas, it is important to bring a designated driver for the drive home.
Practice Management Software
Registration has never been easier thanks to online tools that expedite the process using online forms. You can fill out your forms before coming in, and we manage your patient files in our computer system, where everything is more secure than traditional paper-filing systems.
