Convenient Access from Easter Lake
Most of the 10.5-mile trip from Easter Lake Park to Veranda Dentistry in Pleasant Hill runs on the US 65 bypass rather than city streets, and it usually takes about 17 minutes. That predictable highway stretch makes us a practical dentist near Easter Lake for southeast-side residents. It is especially useful for implant planning, oral surgery and other visits where you would rather not arrive rushed.
From the park's address at 2830 Easter Lake Drive, head east on Easter Lake Drive, which bends south and becomes SE 36th Street. At the roundabout, go east on East Army Post Road, follow SE Army Post Road to the ramp, and take US 65 north. Exit at East University Avenue (IA 163), drive west about 1.5 miles and turn onto Copper Creek Drive; our office is at 1225 Copper Creek Dr Ste K.
US 65 is a limited-access road that skips downtown entirely, although the signals on University Avenue near the office can add a few minutes at rush hour. Our office is listed on Google Maps if you want live directions on the day of your visit. Indianola Hills to the west and the Fairground neighborhood to the north are among the other areas we serve.
Life Around Easter Lake, and Why Steady Care Fits It
The City of Des Moines lists this neighborhood as the Easter Lake Area, a stretch of the southeast side between SE 14th Street and SE 36th Avenue, East Watrous Avenue and Pine Street. Residential subdivisions surround a lake that is hard to imagine as anything else today. The land was a coal strip mine until 1959, and the reservoir opened for recreation in 1967.
Now Easter Lake Park covers more than 468 acres around its 165-acre lake, managed by the county conservation board. Anglers work the fishing piers for catfish, bluegill and walleye, and the four-mile Mark C. Ackelson Trail loops the shoreline and passes through Owen's Covered Bridge, the only covered bridge in Polk County. On the north shore, the Athene North Shore Recreation Area was built with universal design, including an inclusive playground.
With this much park land close by, outdoor time is part of daily life here. Steady, long-term care suits a practice with a single dentist. Dr. Chad gets to know your teeth over time, so changes stand out and treatment can be planned before a small issue turns into an emergency.
Southeast-Side Smiles: Repairs, Replacements and Prevention
Adults in established neighborhoods like this one often reach a point where an old repair needs more than a patch. A molar that was filled long ago cracks, a tooth is lost, or a jaw that clenched for years starts to ache. The questions shift from routine cleanings toward replacement and long-term planning.
Implants answer many of those questions. Our office plans them with CBCT 3D imaging, which shows bone height and nerve position in three dimensions, and the Yomi robotic system guides placement along that plan. That planning lets Dr. Chad walk you through the process before treatment starts.
Younger family members bring different needs. Wisdom teeth that are crowded or partly erupted often need to come out, and regular checkups catch cavities while they are still small. Baseball at the James W. Cownie Baseball Park and disc golf at Ewing Park keep plenty of local households busy, so efficient visits matter for them too.
Ewing Park, the 355-acre city park with its lilac arboretum, connects to the north side of the lake trail. Between the two, the Easter Lake Area offers a remarkable amount of green space for a city neighborhood.
Implant, Surgical and Everyday Care from a Dentist Near Easter Lake
Dental Implants
Implant treatment starts with 3D imaging and a careful review of your bite. For many patients, an implant ends years of working around a missing tooth.
General Dentistry
Cleanings by laser-trained hygienists, thorough exams and x-rays keep everyone in the household on track. Children receive check-ups, fluoride and sealants alongside their parents' care.
Oral Surgery
Extractions and other surgical care happen right in our office, with Piezo surgery and PRP therapy available to support precise work and healing. Wisdom teeth extractions are part of that care.
TMD Treatment
A sore jaw, clicking or headaches on waking can point to a strained joint or clenching habit. Dr. Chad looks at the joint, the muscles and how your teeth meet before recommending a plan.
Meet Your Pleasant Hill Dental Team
Implant dentistry is a focus for Dr. Chad Johnson, DDS, FAGD, a Diplomate of the International Dental Implant Association. He brings CBCT imaging, 3D printing and Yomi robotic guidance into that work, all described on our advanced technology page. Outside the office, photography is one of his favorite pastimes.
Membership & Financing
An implant is an investment, and Cherry, CareCredit and Proceed Finance let you pay over time, subject to credit approval. For routine care without insurance, the in-house VIP plan includes exams, cleanings, fluoride and any necessary x-rays, plus one extra emergency exam per household. VIP is a discount plan, not insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Veranda Dentistry from Easter Lake, and how do I get there?
Our office is about 10.5 miles from Easter Lake Park, a drive of around 17 minutes. Take East Army Post Road to US 65 north, exit at East University Avenue (IA 163), and head west to Copper Creek Drive. Because the highway bypasses downtown, it is a dependable route for anyone choosing a dentist near Easter Lake.
How does robotic implant placement work?
The robot guides the dentist rather than working on its own. Dr. Chad first maps your jaw with CBCT 3D imaging and plans the implant's exact angle and depth. During the procedure, the Yomi robotic system helps keep his drill on that planned path. The goal is accurate placement that matches the plan he reviewed with you beforehand.
How often should adults get a cleaning and exam?
Twice a year works well for most adults with healthy gums. People with gum disease, heavy tartar buildup or certain health conditions may need cleanings more often, and Dr. Chad will recommend a schedule based on what he sees. Our VIP membership includes two exams and two cleanings for patients without insurance, which covers that standard twice-yearly rhythm.
What is Piezo surgery, and when is it used?
Piezo surgery uses ultrasonic vibrations to cut bone with great precision while sparing nearby soft tissue. It is often used during extractions, implant site preparation and other oral surgery where careful bone work matters. Our office pairs it with PRP therapy, which uses platelets from your own blood, when extra support for healing makes sense.
Do I need to replace a back tooth that nobody sees?
Usually, yes. When a molar is missing, the teeth beside it can tip into the gap and the tooth above or below can drift, which changes your bite over time. Chewing also shifts to other teeth, adding wear. An implant or another replacement keeps the remaining teeth in place, even if no one ever notices the gap.
Schedule Your Visit from Easter Lake
Whether you need an implant consultation or a routine cleaning, a dentist near Easter Lake is about a 17-minute drive away. Call 515-882-6057 to schedule with Dr. Chad and our team. You can view every community we welcome on our areas we serve page, or visit our Dentist Pleasant Hill, IA page for more about the practice.