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

Read More
x
Call Us 415-881-4343
Request An Appointment
3030 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118 | Directions
New Patients please call 415-881-4343
Existing Patients please call 415-752-8311
Request An Appointment

Visit a San Francisco dentist for TMJ disorder rather than an oral surgeon

Posted By: | Published On: | TMJ-TMD
san francisco oral surgeon for tmj, best treatment for tmj san francisco, dentist san francisco, dentist 94118
Visit TMJ-TMD Page to learn more or
Contact Us

Temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect the lower jaw to the skull. TMJ disorders (TMD) cause dysfunction and pain in the temporomandibular joint and the surrounding muscles. It is estimated that more than 10 million people in the United States suffer from this painful condition.

Types of temporomandibular joint disorders

TMJ disorders and the way people respond to treatments are varied. Generally, researchers agree that they fall in three categories.

  • Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) involves pain or discomfort in the muscles that control the function of the jaw
  • Derangement involves injury to the condyle, a dislocated jaw, or a displaced disc
  • Arthritis is inflammatory/degenerative joint disorders that can affect the TMJs

For some people, the condition seems to develop without an obvious cause; bruxism or trauma to the jaw may play a role for some patients. Unfortunately, science doesn’t know the cause in most cases of jaw muscle and joint problems.

Signs of TMD

  • Changes in the way the lower and upper teeth fit together
  • Pain radiating through the jaw, face, ear, neck, or shoulder
  • Stiffness in the jaw muscles
  • Limited movement of the jaw
  • Painful grating, popping, or clicking of the jaw when opening and closing the mouth
We are here to help Call us at 415-881-4343 or Schedule an Appointment

Less is best

Numerous options are available for treatment including lifestyle changes, dental appliances, Botox®, surgery, and jaw implants. Health professionals recommend the most conservative approach possible.

Dr. Leo Arellano and his team offer conservative treatment including recommendations for changes in lifestyle, jaw exercises, and a comfortable oral appliance. The splint will be either a stabilization splint or a repositioning splint. A stabilizing splint is designed to prevent clenching or grinding (bruxism). Repositioning splints realign the condyles by pulling the jaw forward. These appliances are the most commonly used treatments for TMD.

Suggested lifestyle changes may include eating soft foods, stopping chewing gum, reducing stress, and avoiding wide yawns. Ice packs may be recommended to reduce discomfort.

Dr. Leo Arellano and his team in San Francisco work with patients to determine the best way to bring them relief without the need of an oral surgeon, as surgeries should always be the last choice. Call 415-881-4343 and schedule a consultation today.

Share this Article
Back to TMJ-TMD Page

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
More Result

What our patients are saying...

originally posted on Google
5.0

Even after moving to Oakland (and when I lived in Mountain View) I always return to SF to see Dr. Arellano. EVERYONE in the office is top notch!

 More Reviews

"Why choose us?" The bottom line is, it's all about YOU.

Contact our San Francisco dental office to schedule a one on one consultation with Dr. Arellano, and experience the benefits of a truly healthy mouth and a great looking smile.

Dr. Leo Arellano is a Board-certified dentist San Francisco, CA and nearby Bay Area communities Dr. Leo Arellano is a Board-certified dentist with more than three decades of experience serving San Francisco, CA and nearby Bay Area communities. He is licensed in LANAP periodontal therapy and certified by the Institute of Advanced Laser Dentistry certified in Nd:YAG laser treatment. Dr. Arellano is known for providing conservative restorative treatments and artisan-quality cosmetic enhancements, using the latest technology and techniques. He has extensive experience in Chao Pinhole® Surgical Technique for treating gum disease.