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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Dental Implants vs. Dentures: Which is Better?

San francisco dental implants

When looking into the differences between having dentures or dental implants to repair or replace missing teeth, people often wonder which choice is best for them. There are a few advantages and disadvantages to each choice. Dentures have been used for many years. It is said that President George Washington had a pair of ivory dentures. There were even dentures made from wood. In modern times, dentures are more eco-friendly and usually made from plastics and porcelain.

The cost difference between having dentures and having dental implants placed in your jawbone is significant. Dentures can range from $1000 to $3000 per denture. That price depends on the placement of the dentures and the material used to make them. For dental implants the cost is roughly $24,000 to $60,000 but that price range may not include any needed bone grafting procedures.

If cost isn’t a concern then having dental implants are the best option. Dentures are more cost effective but sometimes using full dentures can cause gum irritation and sores due to fitting difficulties as well as problems with speaking and eating. When using partial dentures, they are usually attached with a metal clasp which can cause erosion, decay and weakening of the neighboring teeth. Most of all, any denture that rests directly on the gums may accelerate the deterioration of the jawbone underneath the gums to the point where the denture cannot be comfortably worn at all. And that may limit the option for implants in the future.

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

When having dental implants, the cost is high, but with proper oral hygiene and proper bite forces dental implants can last a lifetime. Implants are placed in your jawbone and work just like your natural teeth. One advantage of having implants over dentures is that you will have a stronger bite than you would with even properly fitting dentures but without all of the disadvantages of dentures. The individual cost of each implant is between $2000 and $5000 per implant, of course the price variation depends on the placement of the missing teeth and the health of the jawbone.

There is a third option. For a cost that is roughly 60 to 70 percent less than having dental implants, you can have mini implants placed in your jaw which will better secure dentures in your mouth. This would essentially cut back on some of the disadvantages of dentures but have some of the security of regular dental implants. Being properly educated on your dental options, will help you and your dentist decide which choice is best for your mouth, your oral health and your wallet.

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Real Patients Real Results

Before and After Photos

Crowded teeth and failing root canal tooth needing extraction corrected with Invisalign®, bleaching, and dental implant.

Photo by Dr. Leo Arellano

Dental Implants – BNA Image – 11-1
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What our patients are saying...

originally posted on Google
5.0

I’ve been going to Dr. Arellano for about 20 years and I continue because of the excellent care and treatment I get with him and his whole office team. He is both professional and personable.
Recently I had a newer technique of gum surgery/grafting at his office called, “Pinhole Surgical Technique of gum grafting.” I personally found this to be much easier to handle than the other style of gum grafting that I received years ago for the other side of my mouth. That worked, it was where part of my roof of my mouth was cut and surgically sewn onto the gum. However, I much prefer the pinhole technique. It was actually the easiest dental work I’ve had (beyond regular cleaning) It didn’t take too long and it didn’t feel uncomfortable getting it done.... More Reviews