Our community has been through a lot due to the ongoing pandemic, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your health and safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority of our dental practice, and you may have seen that we take great pride in this. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep the patients, staff, and the ones we come in contact with in our daily lives safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

Upon the emergence of COVID-19, here are some additional measures we take to ensure your safety:
  • Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office, and we will be taking your temperature. Based on your answers and if your temperature is 100.4°F or higher, we will need to reschedule your appointment.
  • We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in other places in the office for you to use as needed.
  • You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect. Similarly, please limit the personal belongings that you bring inside to your appointment.
  • Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients when possible. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment. Please respect the social distancing requirement of 6 feet where practical.
  • We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time. To that end, please consider calling from your car to check on the status of the reception area and be on time. Also, please come alone to your appointments. If needed, one guardian/caretaker is permitted, but they must remain in the reception area.
  • Please arrive with face masks/coverings for they will be required at all times for both patients and staff when appropriate.
  • An antiseptic mouth rinse will be used just prior to treatment for the health and safety of all. Where possible, expect changes in how we do certain procedures to eliminate or reduce the spread of aerosols and splatter during treatment. For example, for now we will be temporarily eliminating ultrasonic tools and teeth polishing during your teeth cleaning appointments until further notice.
  • Clear sneeze guard barriers between you and our front desk personnel will be used to aid in social distancing, and we ask that we all limit our conversations to what’s necessary to limit contact time. More regular and frequent sanitizing of high touch areas and items will be done for your health and safety. This includes door and other handles, light switches, countertops, etc.
We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at 415-752-8311 .

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors, and friends.

Sincerely,
Dr. Leo Arellano

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Treatment for gum recession explained by experienced dentist in San Francisco, CA

Dr. Leo Arellano is the dentist San Francisco, CA patients trust for gum recession treatment explained in understandable terms.

An estimated 88 percent of people over the age of 65 have receded gum tissue around at least one tooth. Make no mistake, though, this condition is NOT limited to seniors. It can occur at any age, impacting the appearance of the smile and increasing risk of oral sensitivity and tooth decay. For more than 34 years, Dr. Leo Arellano, has been caring for patients in the San Francisco, CA area with the latest technologies and methods. Here, his contemporary treatment for gum recession is explained in detail.

What is gum recession?

Gums are a mucous membrane. Healthy gum tissue is dense and rosy pink, full of blood vessels that supply a continual source of nourishment. They fit snugly around teeth, without dark triangles (spaces) between teeth, providing a barrier against infection and disease.

Gums are tough and resilient, but when subjected to chronic irritation, they pull away from teeth, exposing root structure. Recession at younger ages can be a result of brushing teeth too hard, soft tissue trauma (such as a sports injury), genetic predisposition to thin gums, an ill-fitting partial denture, or use of any kind of tobacco.

Collagen is a strong, fibrous protein. Collagen is vital for the structure of skin, hair, nails, ligaments, tendons, and bone. It is a primary component of gum tissue as well. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen. Plus, over time, environmental stressors deplete stores of collagen in our bodies. This is one of the reasons skin gets thin and sags into wrinkles. It is also a contributing factor in gum recession.

The most prevalent cause of gum recession, though, is periodontal disease. When harmful pathogens attack gum tissue, it becomes inflamed and infected, loosening and retreating from teeth. Early stage gum disease (gingivitis) can be halted, and more advanced periodontal disease treated and managed. Bite forces and other hereditary factors are also common causes that need to be managed. However, improving gum health will not reverse recession, once it has occurred.

We are here to help Call us at 415-881-4343 or Schedule an Appointment

Gum recession treatment explained

In San Francisco, CA, beautiful smiles are abundant. No one wants their look aged by long teeth, yellowed at the gum line. Yet most people are not enthusiastic about the idea of an invasive gum graft procedure. The traditional treatment for receded gums requires a sample of healthy tissue from another spot in the mouth, sutured into place at the site of recession. This procedure typically takes an hour or more per tooth treated and requires several weeks of recovery time.

Dr. Arellano is one of only a few dentists in the area trained and certified as an Advanced Pinhole Clinician in the Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique, a more natural, minimally invasive method of gum rejuvenation. This approach causes little discomfort or downtime, and the aesthetic improvement is immediate.

The procedure basically follows these steps:

Dr. Leo Arellano, has been caring for patients in the San Francisco, CA area with the latest technologies and methods.
  • A thorough oral examination is conducted to be sure the patient is a suitable candidate for treatment.
  • Dental issues such as tooth decay and gum disease are addressed first.
  • For the pinhole surgical gum lift, the treatment area is numbed with local anesthetic.
  • One or more tiny entry points (depending on how much of the mouth is to be treated) are made with a needle. These holes are no larger than the tip of a ballpoint pen, made near teeth with receding gums.
  • A small, specially-designed dental instrument is inserted into the access hole.
  • Gum tissue is carefully loosened and precisely moved back into normal placement.
  • Little strips of collagen are inserted into the holes, placed where they will help to anchor newly repositioned gum tissue. Collagen strips serve a dual purpose – they also stimulate the body’s natural production of collagen to supplement gingival tissue.
  • The procedure usually takes a couple of hours, depending on how many teeth are treated. An entire arch or even the whole mouth may be done in one appointment.
  • Improvement in appearance is visible right away and continues as collagen builds.
  • There is little downtime – patients may return to work or other limited activities. A soft diet may be recommended for a couple of days.
  • Entry points heal quickly and are typically undetectable the next day.
  • There can be mild swelling, but it resolves naturally in a few days.
  • Results are long-lasting with proper oral hygiene and the management of bite forces.

A scientific study published in 2012 indicates the pinhole technique is as successful as traditional gum grafting . . . without cutting, bleeding, sutures, discomfort, or an extended healing period.

Get your smile back into great shape, with the help of Dr. Arellano. Call his San Francisco, CA office at 415-881-4343 to schedule a consultation.

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Before and After Photos

Fractured, cracked, and misaligned tooth repaired with a porcelain veneer

Photo by Dr. Leo Arellano

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What our patients are saying...

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5.0

Dr. Arellano has been my dentist since 1989 and I believe he is the best of the best! I have experienced many uncomfortable dental procedures in the past, many due to painful injections. Dr. Arellano has excellent technique in anesthetizing that results in painless injections. He truly cares about his patients and his work. His staff, especially Mei, is extraordinary and will go above and beyond to work in appointments, assist in resolving payment/insurance issues, referrals, etc. Dr. Arellano and his team have always provided excellent care and service over the years. I highly recommend him for your dental care.

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