Convenient Access from Ralston
Ralston families can be in our office in roughly 13 minutes, much of it on the interstate. Regency Dental is a doctor-led practice in west-central Omaha with three general dentists and appointments from 7:00 AM Monday through Thursday. For families comparing options for a dentist in Ralston, NE, that early start makes a before-school visit realistic.
Start at Ralston City Hall on South 77th Street. Head west on Miller Avenue and Oakwood Street, follow South 80th Street to Q Street, then turn north on South 84th Street for about 1.3 miles. Merge onto I-80 west for about 1.7 miles, take I-680 north, exit at Pacific Street and go east. Regency Parkway and then Regency Parkway Drive bring you to the door, about 7.4 miles in all, with no tolls.
The city-owned arena on Q Street sits near the start of the drive. Our office is at 260 Regency Pkwy Dr #104, Omaha, NE 68114, between Regency Parkway and I-680. Pull up our Google Maps listing for directions from your street. We also see patients from La Vista and Aksarben.
Small-City Ralston, Big-Practice Options
Ralston is its own city, incorporated as a village on June 24, 1912. It covers only about 1.6 square miles in Douglas County, with Omaha wrapped around three sides and La Vista along the south. The 2020 census counted 6,494 residents. The City of Ralston runs its own services from City Hall on 77th Street.
A small city often means short errands and familiar faces. Our practice works the same way: locally owned, with the same three dentists sharing the schedule.
What a small city may not have nearby is every kind of dental care in one building. At our office, cleanings and checkups sit alongside root canals, extractions, implant placement and sedation. Fewer referrals mean fewer extra trips onto the interstate.
First visits are unhurried. New patients start with an exam, digital x-rays and a look through an intraoral camera, so each tooth appears on a screen beside the chair. Our dentists explain what they find in plain language and sort it by urgency. Anyone who feels uneasy can raise a hand to pause at any time.
Community spirit runs deep here. The Baright Public Library dates to 1922, and the two-day Independence Day celebration brings a children's parade and fireworks each July. A long-term dental home suits a community that holds on to its traditions.
School Calendars and Smiles in Ralston
Ralston Public Schools serves more than 3,400 students in eight schools, from preschool through Ralston High School. The district says 34 languages are represented among its families. With that many students, school-year checkups are a big part of family life.
Children need regular cleanings while their adult teeth come in. Newly erupted molars have grooves that trap food, and kids rarely brush them well. Fluoride treatments and routine exams catch weak spots before they turn into cavities.
Teens bring a new set of questions. Crowded teeth, sports injuries and a first wisdom tooth all tend to appear in high school. Clear aligners straighten teeth without brackets, and an iTero scan replaces impression trays.
Parents should not skip their own care. Adults often put off cleanings while managing everyone else's schedule. A 7:00 AM visit, Monday through Thursday, lets a parent finish before the school run or the commute begins.
Busy households also deal with surprises. A tooth chipped during practice or a filling lost at dinner deserves prompt attention, and we will prioritize your visit when you call. New patients can begin with the $49 Emergency Exam & X-Ray. Saving our number in your phone now spares a scramble later.
Grinding is another quiet problem for stressed adults and some teens. Worn edges, a sore jaw in the morning and small cracks are common signs. Our in-house 3D printer makes custom nightguards that cushion the teeth during sleep.
Care Options When You Need a Dentist in Ralston, NE
Invisalign
Clear aligners suit teens and adults who want straighter teeth without metal braces. Trays come out for meals, practices and photos.
General & Preventive Dentistry
Cleanings, exams and digital x-rays keep Ralston students and parents ahead of decay. Early appointments help families avoid missed classes.
Emergency Dentistry
Broken teeth, lost fillings and throbbing pain call for prompt attention. We strive to fit urgent cases into the day.
Restorative Dentistry
Fillings, crowns and bridges repair damage from decay or injury. CEREC milling often lets us complete a ceramic crown in one visit.
Sedation Dentistry
Nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation help anxious patients of many ages get through treatment calmly.
Parents planning care for several children can read about our approach to family dentistry, which brings every age into one office. New patients without insurance, and without periodontal (gum) disease, can begin with our $99 Cleaning, Exam & X-Ray.
Meet Your Omaha Dental Team
With more than 30 years in dentistry, Dr. Ken Spanel is an ADA member who keeps up with new developments in the field. Dr. Brandon Nelson, a Creighton School of Dentistry graduate, puts patient education first, which helps kids and parents understand their own care. Dr. Dan Ellingson, DDS, completes the team.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
The Advanced Care Plan gives patients without insurance a one-year membership with preventive visits, plus 20% off most procedures and 10% off cosmetic work and implants. CareCredit financing has no up-front costs or pre-payment penalties. Cherry payment plans are another flexible choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Regency Dental from Ralston, and how do I get there?
Our office is 7.4 miles from Ralston City Hall, typically a 13-minute drive. Take 84th Street north to I-80 west, then I-680 north to the Pacific Street exit and Regency Parkway. For anyone choosing a dentist in Ralston, NE, the interstate route keeps the trip short and toll-free.
Does the drive from Ralston take longer at rush hour?
Yes, it can. The I-80 and I-680 interchange gets busy at rush hour, so allow extra time then. On a normal day the drive runs about 13 minutes, so leaving 20 to 25 minutes ahead of a 7:00 AM appointment, Monday through Thursday, is a sensible plan. That buffer also gives new patients time to check in without hurrying.
Can crooked teeth cause problems beyond looks?
Yes. Crowded or overlapping teeth are harder to brush and floss, so plaque builds up and raises the risk of cavities and gum disease. An uneven bite can also wear some teeth faster than others. Invisalign clear aligners can straighten many smiles, and an exam with our dentists shows whether aligners suit your bite.
Who are the dentists at Regency Dental?
Three general dentists practice here: Dr. Dan Ellingson, DDS, Dr. Ken Spanel and Dr. Brandon Nelson. Dr. Spanel established the Omaha office in 2000, and Dr. Ellingson and his partners purchased the practice in 2023. Together they offer cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, implants and cosmetic care in one locally owned office.
What happens at a first visit for new patients?
Your first visit starts with a full exam and digital x-rays. Our dentists use an intraoral camera to show each tooth on a screen, then explain what they see and what can wait. Larger needs can be split into a phased plan. New patients without insurance and without periodontal (gum) disease can use the $99 Cleaning, Exam & X-Ray.
Schedule Your Visit from Ralston
Patients who searched for a dentist in Ralston, NE are always welcome here. Call 402-258-5137 to book an early appointment. Find more communities on our areas we serve page, or visit the Dentist Omaha, NE homepage to learn about Regency Dental.