Get To Know Dr. Aland

Dr. Troy Aland of Aland Family Dentistry

Dentistry is more than a career for Dr. Troy Aland, it’s a passion. That passion was instilled when Dr. Aland got braces at the age of 10. He treats patients of all ages, and has seen a variety of cases which have helped him change the perception of patients who think that going to the dentist is something to be afraid of. “I always feel so encouraged when I’ve worked on a patient and they walk out of my office with a happy smile on their face. That’s why I became a dentist.”

Dr. Aland moved to Reno, Nevada just before his Freshman year of high school and attended McQueen. After graduation, he attended UNR and served a two year mission where he gained the ability to speak a second language. “Patients are always surprised when I speak Spanish because they are used to bringing a translator. I am able to treat them on a more personal level when I can communicate directly with them, and that’s been a huge benefit to our practice.”

Dr. Aland completes an oral exam on a patient.

After completing his mission, Dr. Aland attended Brigham Young University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. While home between semesters, he met his wife Lisa and they married just a few weeks after Dr. Aland graduated from BYU. The next stop on their adventure was dental school.

Dr. Aland attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Upon graduating in 2004, he began working at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry in Yerington, Nevada. Dr. Aland gained a lot of experience and developed great relationships. In fact, he still has a few patients who drive from Yerington to Reno for their dental care.

In 2007, Dr. Aland opened his own practice, Aland Family Dentistry, in Reno. He started with only a few patients just as the recession hit, and built his practice from the ground up. In a few years, Aland Family Dentistry outgrew its first location and in April 2013, they moved to their current location at 85 Continental Drive, near Midtown.

From the moment you walk into Aland Family Dentistry, you feel something very different than most dental offices, which Dr. Aland attributes to Lisa’s vision. “Her goal is to make every patient feel like they are home and know they’ve come to the right place. The decor in the waiting area, the paint colors, and the flow of the floor plan are all meant to create an atmosphere of comfort for our patients,” Dr. Aland said.

In 2014, Dr. and Lisa Aland were named the “Small Business Administration Nevada Family Owned Business of the Year.” When Dr. Aland was presented with a plaque at the awards ceremony, he accepted by saying, “Usually I’m anti-plaque, but in this case I’m willing to make an exception.” This demonstrates what patients love most about Dr. Aland — his witty sense of humor!



Dr. Aland and his family at Disneyland in 2015.

Aland Family Dentistry is truly a family business for the Aland’s. Lisa and the kids, three girls and one boy ages 14 to 5, frequently visit and help out at the office. They have helped clean the office on weekends, file charts, and shred papers. “We anticipate that Aland Family Dentistry will continue on for many years. It’s a great profession and I would be pleased if any of my kids wanted to pursue a career in the field of dentistry,” Dr. Aland said.

Dr. Aland and his family enjoy vacationing together — their favorite spot is Disneyland! Troy and Lisa enjoy Broadway shows at the Pioneer Theater, and Troy is a huge Cubs fan. They love to give back to the community by visiting local schools to do dental health presentations, and last November, Aland Family Dentistry gave one lucky patient free dental care for a year.

Free dentistry for a year was a welcome surprise to one our
favorite patients!

Enjoying an active lifestyle comes back to one common element — taking care of your health. The mouth is the window to the body. Recent studies show that gum disease increases your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. Visiting our office for dental check ups every 4-6 months, in addition to proper home care, can help maintain the health of your gums, and catch any problems before they create bigger health concerns.

Our courteous and professional team is dedicated to making sure you have the most comfortable experience possible. At Aland Family Dentistry, we treat YOU like family. We look forward to welcoming YOU to our family of patients!

George Washington's Teeth

It's Independence Day -- today we pay tribute to our beautiful country and those who bravely fought for our freedom, including George Washington, our country's first president.

 Washington suffered from dental problems most of his life and many people think he wore dentures made of wooden teeth. A few years ago, Dr. Troy Aland of Aland Family Dentistry visited George Washington's Mount Vernon on a family trip, and learned the truth about this myth.

Washington's teeth were NOT made of wood, but rather a combination of horse, cow, and human teeth, as well as hippopotamus ivory. Washington recorded in multiple journal entries about jaw pain, toothaches, inflamed gums, and other dental problems. During the Revolutionary War, he sought the care of a French dentist to care for his dental issues, and they continued to remain close after the war.

According to journal entries, Washington had his first tooth extracted at the age of 24. By the time he was inaugurated President of the United States in 1789, he only had one working tooth remaining. He kept some of his teeth and later used them in denture fittings. He bought human teeth from African-Americans, a common practice in the 1700's, but it is unclear if these teeth were used in his dentures.

George Washington's dentures on display at Mount Vernon.
Photo Cred: Dr. Troy Aland

Over the years, the shape of Washington's face changed due to his dental problems. His lips bulged out, making them appear swollen. His jaw and mouth appeared augmented. Washington was self conscious of his appearance, and toward the end of his presidency he spoke less in public because his dentures made it increasingly difficult to speak.

Martha Washington also wore dentures, though she was not plagued with as many dental problems as her husband. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to take good care of their teeth so they wouldn't have to deal with the discomforts she and George Washington did.

Technological advancements in the field of dentistry have drastically improved the aesthetic issues caused by poor oral health. If George Washington were a patient at our dental office, Dr. Aland would give him a bright, sparkling new smile using dental implants. It's amazing how much has changed in the 200 + years since Washington was alive.

Get out and enjoy your favorite summer foods, play on your day off, and have a wonderful Fourth of July!!