Convenient Access from La Vista
About 15 minutes, much of it on the interstate, separates La Vista from Regency Dental, tucked into the Regency area of west-central Omaha near I-680 and West Dodge Road. Parents who want a dentist in La Vista, NE, that can see the kids before the school bell will find our 7:00 AM starts, Monday through Thursday, worth a look. Our three general dentists cover checkups, fillings, urgent repairs and Invisalign in one office.
Starting from La Vista City Hall at 8116 Park View Boulevard, which shares its address with the La Vista Public Library, the trip is about 8.3 miles. Take 81st Street to Park View Boulevard, turn north on 84th Street (N-85), then merge onto I-80 westbound for under two miles. Swing north on I-680 for about a mile, exit at Pacific Street, head east, and turn north on Regency Parkway to 260 Regency Pkwy Dr #104, Omaha, NE 68114. Regency Lake sits a short distance south of the office, and the walking trail at Regency Park is close by.
There are no tolls on the way, though 84th Street and I-80 both slow down at rush hour. Save the office in Google Maps before your first visit. We also welcome families from neighboring Ralston and Papillion.
Why La Vista Households Make the Short Trip North
La Vista is a city built around family life. It grew from a 1959 housing development, incorporated in February 1960, and today counts about 16,700 residents in the 2020 census. Married couples make up a large share of local households, and weekday routines here revolve around school drop-offs, practices and jobs across the metro.
That is the schedule our practice is set up for. Because the office opens at 7:00 AM four days a week, a parent can bring two children in for cleanings, drop them at school and still reach work at a normal hour. Friday mornings run until noon for anyone whose week fills up early.
The drive itself is simple for anyone who already commutes into Omaha. Interstate 80 forms the western edge of the city, so most residents are only a few minutes from an on-ramp, and the office sits a short hop off I-680 once you leave the interstate. For commuters in Sarpy County who already work near West Dodge Road or Pacific Street, a dental visit on the way to the office is an easy fit.
Regency Dental is a locally owned, doctor-led practice that Dr. Ken Spanel first opened in Omaha in 2000. The doctors now running it have kept that small-office feel while giving patients modern tools such as digital x-rays and intraoral cameras. When a child can see a photo of the tooth being discussed, the conversation about brushing and flossing tends to stick.
Growing Up in La Vista: What Parents Should Know About Young Teeth
Almost all of La Vista lies in the Papillion-La Vista Public Schools district, with Papillion-La Vista Senior High serving many of the city's teens. Those years bring a steady run of dental milestones: first loose teeth, new molars that trap food in deep grooves, orthodontic questions and, later, the first independent checkup.
Kids in La Vista also spend plenty of time outdoors. The city turned the former La Vista Falls golf course into Central Park, which opened in 2019 with a larger lake, a lit trail loop and a boardwalk. Bikes, scooters and pickup games are good for children, and they also explain why a chipped front tooth is one of the most common reasons parents call a dental office in a hurry.
Prevention carries most of the weight at these ages. Regular cleanings, fluoride treatments and early attention to small spots of decay keep treatment simple and visits short. Adults benefit from the same rhythm, and a parent who books alongside the kids is less likely to let a cracked filling wait until it hurts.
For families paying out of pocket, cost is part of the picture too. Our Advanced Care Plan takes $50 off the $350 yearly tier for children 13 and under, which helps households plan for two cleanings a year per child.
Parents deserve the same attention they give their kids. Busy adults often put off a cleaning for a year or two, and that is when bleeding gums, worn enamel or an old filling that has started to leak can quietly get worse. Our dentists look at the whole mouth at each exam, explain what they see on the intraoral camera screen, and lay out options in plain terms. When several things need care, a phased plan lets you handle the most important work first and spread the rest over time.
Family Care from a Dentist in La Vista, NE Residents Can Reach Quickly
General & Preventive Dentistry
Twice-yearly cleanings and exams form the base of care for children and parents alike. We look for early decay, check how new teeth are coming in and coach kids on brushing in plain language.
Emergency Dentistry
A knocked or broken tooth after practice needs a quick plan. When you call with a dental emergency, we will prioritize your visit and work out the next step with you.
Invisalign
Teens and adults who want straighter teeth can use clear, removable aligners instead of brackets. Our iTero intraoral scanners capture a digital model of the bite to help plan treatment.
Restorative Dentistry
Fillings and crowns repair teeth that decay or wear has weakened. With CEREC milling in the office, a damaged tooth can often be restored with a ceramic crown in one visit.
Sedation Dentistry
Some kids and grown-ups feel uneasy in the chair. Nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation are available, along with a simple hand signal that pauses treatment whenever you need a break.
Many younger patients also benefit from a quick fluoride treatment at the end of a cleaning, which takes only a few minutes. Adults who want a brighter smile for family photos or a new job can ask about whitening at the same visit.
Meet Your Omaha Dental Team
Dr. Brandon Nelson trained at the Creighton School of Dentistry and is known for a calm, detail-minded chairside manner. Prevention and patient education are where he puts much of his energy, which suits children learning good habits. He works alongside Dr. Ken Spanel and Dr. Dan Ellingson, so families see a consistent team from visit to visit.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
Households without dental insurance can join the Advanced Care Plan, a yearly membership that is not insurance and includes cleanings, exams, fluoride and x-rays plus 20% off most other procedures. Larger treatment can be spread out with CareCredit or Cherry payment plans. We take cash, checks, money orders and major credit cards, with payment due at the visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Regency Dental from La Vista, and how do I get there?
From La Vista City Hall it is about 8.3 miles, close to 15 minutes by car. The usual route runs north on 84th Street, west on I-80, north on I-680 and east on Pacific Street to Regency Parkway. Families choosing a dentist in La Vista, NE, appreciate that much of the trip is on the interstate.
Can I book my children's cleanings back to back?
Yes. Appointments begin at 7:00 AM Monday through Thursday, so two or three early cleanings in a row can still leave time to get everyone to class. Booking ahead helps when you want several family members seen back to back in the first slots of the day.
Is the Advanced Care Plan cheaper for children?
Yes. The $350 yearly tier is $50 less for patients 13 and under. It covers two cleanings, two exams, two fluoride treatments, one emergency exam and all needed x-rays for a year, plus 10% off cosmetic care and implants and 20% off other procedures. The plan is a membership for patients without insurance, not an insurance policy.
How often should children get a fluoride treatment?
Twice a year works well for most kids, usually at their regular cleanings. That is why the Advanced Care Plan includes two fluoride treatments each year. Children with frequent cavities, braces or deep grooves in their molars may need closer attention, and the dentist will recommend a schedule after looking at your child's teeth and x-rays.
How can I get my kids to brush for two full minutes?
Make the time easy to track. A phone timer, a two-minute song or a toothbrush with a built-in timer keeps children going, and brushing alongside them sets the pace. Most kids need a parent to finish the job until about age seven or eight, especially on the back molars. A pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste is enough from age three.
Schedule Your Visit from La Vista
Call 402-258-5137 to set up checkups for the whole family. If you have been searching for a dentist in La Vista, NE, with early-morning openings and three doctors under one roof, we would be glad to meet you. See every community on our areas we serve page, or head to the Dentist Omaha, NE homepage to learn more about the practice.