Dr. Ellen Morris earned her doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 2007. To stay up-to-date on the latest advancements in dentistry, Dr. Morris maintains memberships with the American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association, Great River Study Club, and St. Cloud Dental Society. Dr. Morris is also an active supporter of the Sartell St. Stephen Education Foundation.

Dr. Mikala Gaffke grew up in Rice, MN, and graduated from Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. After graduation, she went on to attend The College of Saint Benedict and graduated Magna Cum Laude with her bachelors degree in Biology. She continued to further her education at Marquette University and graduated in the top 5 of her class for her Doctor of Dental Surgery in 2016. She then moved back to central Minnesota to start her dental career.

Dr. Gaffke and her husband have been blessed with three children: Ruby, Otto and Scarlett. In her free time, Dr. Gaffke enjoys swimming, cooking, hiking, reading, and spending time with her little ones. We are pleased to have her join our practice and help us care for our patients!

Our friendly dental team has the expertise and knowledge to provide every patient with the care they need, from routine teeth cleanings and digital X-rays to dental implants, teeth whitening, and more.

It is suggested that patients should be seen for a dental cleaning and routine exam every 6 months or as recommended by your dentist. During the cleaning, plaque and calculus will be removed from your teeth, leaving behind a bright and polished smile. X-rays may need to be taken to help detect possible cavities in between teeth that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

Children of all ages are welcome at our practice! A childs first dental visit should be scheduled once they turn one year old or as soon as the first tooth erupts. That way, your child can have positive dental experiences at a young age and you can receive valuable advice in helping care for their childs teeth.

Periodontal disease can often progress without a patient realizing it. If left untreated, periodontal disease can destroy the supporting bones in your mouth. This is why early treatment and prevention is so important! Your dentist will make sure you receive the highest quality of care to help prevent periodontal disease from developing.

Dental X-rays are preventive, diagnostic tools that provide important information that may not be visible during a regular dental exam. Our dental team will utilize this information to safely and accurately detect any dental abnormalities and then create an accurate treatment plan.

Periodically, we will suggest a fluoride treatment for your teeth. Its a simple and quick process that can be done during your routine exam. Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay and is applied to your teeth. This strengthens the enamel so your smile will be as strong as ever.

When permanent teeth are significantly damaged, extracting the compromised teeth can, in some cases, help you return to optimal oral health. After discussing your various treatment options with you and deciding on an extraction, we will ensure that the procedure is gentle, comfortable, and completed in one visit.

Crowns become necessary when a tooth is severely damaged or has suffered from advanced decay. Crowns cover the remaining tooth and restore its function, strength, and esthetics. Several crown material options are available, including non-metal crowns.

Bridges can be utilized when tooth loss occurs due to gum disease, decay, or injury. When missing a tooth or teeth, the neighboring teeth can begin to move, resulting in pain and discomfort. With bridges, your dentist will close any gaps in your mouth. A bridge looks and acts just like natural teeth. It is permanently cemented to adjacent teeth, which helps to maintain the position of your remaining teeth.

Root canal therapy is needed when a cavity has reached the pulp of a tooth, causing an infection of the nerve, or when severe trauma has affected the tooth. Signs that a pulp is infected may include sensitivity to hot or cold foods or liquid, pain, swelling, or even a bad taste in the mouth.

When endodontic therapy is performed, your dentist will clean out the infected pulp and disinfect the tooth canals. Once the area has been disinfected, the canals of the tooth are filled with a special material to prevent further infections. Sometimes, a core buildup, bonded post, and crown are necessary for restoring a tooth to function.

Dental implants are a great alternative to traditional bridgework and dentures. Implants are permanently anchored into the jawbone and look and feel just like natural teeth. Our office has extensive experience in treatment planning and designing implant solutions that are custom-tailored for each individual patient. Implants require several visits and take months to complete.

Porcelain veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells used to improve the appearance of your smile. They are bonded to the surfaces of teeth to correct certain dental flaws. Porcelain veneers usually require two visits to our office to complete and are customized for a perfect fit and natural appearance. When in place, porcelain veneers can:

Dental emergencies can be very frightening and often painful. Prompt treatment is generally required to alleviate pain and ensure your oral and overall health. If youre dealing with a dental emergency, call us immediately so we can schedule you in as soon as possible.