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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Pinhole Surgical Technique®: San Francisco, CA patients consider the cost and benefits

Dr. Leo Arellano suggests the Pinhole Surgical Technique® at his San Francisco, CA office for its affordable cost and the appearance and health benefits.

The term “long in the tooth” indicates the effects of aging on a smile. While adult teeth do not continue to grow, they look longer when gum tissue pulls away, exposing more tooth structure. For individuals with this condition, Dr. Leo Arellano suggests the Pinhole Surgical Technique® at his San Francisco, CA office for its affordable cost and the appearance and health benefits.

Causes of gum recession

Gingival recession is loss of soft tissue, as it shrinks away from teeth. It isn’t necessarily age-related. Gum recession can happen at any point in life, to a small area of the mouth or an entire arch.

Receding gums may be caused by:

  • Gum disease – Gingivitis and periodontitis are the leading causes of receding gums. When harmful oral bacteria are not removed with good daily hygiene, plaque hardens into tartar at the gum line. Soft tissues become irritated and inflamed. As infected gums lose their seal to teeth, pockets are created, and gums recede to expose tooth roots.
  • Forceful brushing – Overbrushing with a hard toothbrush or unnecessarily vigorous technique pushes gums back.
  • A stressful or imbalanced bite.
  • Injury to teeth or gums from trauma or rough dental treatment.
  • Crooked teeth create niches that are difficult to keep clean.
  • Aggressive orthodontics – trying to twist or move teeth too quickly or too far.
  • Lip piercings, which chronically irritate gum tissue.
  • Heredity –  Thin gums run in some families, and they are at higher risk for recession..

Actual Patient Pictures Shown Before and After Treatment

PatientsPinhole Surgical Technique Before And After Images
Patients Pinhole Surgical Technique Before And After results


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

More than an aesthetic issue

Crowns of teeth are protected with a hard layer of glossy, white enamel. It helps to resist tooth decay and damage. Dentin is beneath enamel. This rigid structure safeguards nerves and blood vessels at the center of teeth.

Tooth roots are not covered with enamel. When they are exposed by gum recession, problems cascade:

  • Dentin is not pearly white – Its yellowish color is not attractive in the smile.
  • Because dentin is porous, temperature sensations reach nerves more easily. Teeth become sensitive to hot and cold beverages, and even quickly indrawn breath.
  • Without the protection of enamel, root structure is susceptible to acid attack, resulting in tooth decay at the gum line. This adds to the appearance of discoloration.
  • Receding gums allow bacteria to penetrate deeper. Gingivitis advances to periodontitis, breaking down connective tissue and bone that holds teeth in place. Eventually, teeth loosen and must be extracted or fall out.
  • Periodontitis becomes a systemic disorder, with bacteria triggering inflammation throughout the body. Those with advanced gum disease are at elevated risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and many other serious health conditions.

Minimally-invasive solution

In the past, treatment consisted largely of addressing symptoms. Topical desensitizing agents were applied, and exposed roots covered with composite resin bonding material. The only way to rejuvenate gum tissue was with invasive gingival grafts. Healthy tissue was taken from another region of the mouth and stitched into place to correct the gum margin, resulting in two surgical sites. This method is painful and requires a considerable healing period.

The Pinhole Surgical Technique® used by Dr. Arellano provides immediate results with minimal healing time. No scalpel or sutures are used, and only local numbing is needed. The doctor uses a fine needle to create a pinhole. Through this access point, he uses special instruments to loosen gum tissue and reposition it, covering exposed root surfaces. Tiny collagen strips are inserted to stabilize the gum flap and encourage natural production of additional collagen to fortify gums.

Comparing cost and value

The Pinhole Surgical Technique® used by Dr. Arellano provides

The cost of the Pinhole Surgical Technique® is about the same as traditional gum graft surgery, but with many advantages that add to the value of treatment:

  • The procedure is much quicker, and any number of teeth can be treated in one appointment.
  • It is minimally-invasive and non-traumatic. Patients experience little or no bleeding.
  • No downtime. There are no open wounds, and pinholes generally close in a day or two.
  • There is little discomfort during the procedure or afterward.
  • Results are attractively natural-looking.
  • Change is seen right away, and improvement continues as the body produces new collagen in gum tissue.
  • Results are long-lasting with proper oral hygiene and with the management of stressful bite forces and loose teeth.

Individuals with gum recession are encouraged to consider the Pinhole Surgical Technique® cost and benefits. San Francisco, CA dentist, Dr. Leo Arellano, is eager to answer questions and provide more information. Call 415-881-4343 to schedule a consultation.

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Real Patients Real Results

Before and After Photos

A missing lower front tooth replaced by a fixed all-ceramic bonded bridge. (a removable stayplate)

Photo by Dr. Leo Arellano

Crowns - Bridges – BNA Image – 17
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What our patients are saying...

originally posted on Google
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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