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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Simple tips to prolong the results of San Francisco tooth whitening

Dr. Leo Arellano at Leo Arellano DDS PC Providing Simple Tips for tooth whitening

With the hectic pace of modern life, everything is done faster, including forming perceptions of others. Studies have found that most people make snap judgments about a person’s character within 30 seconds of meeting them. In a culture that focuses on facial beauty, a healthy attractive smile is more important than ever.

Cosmetic dentistry, which was once considered something that was exclusive to movie stars, is now benefiting people from all walks of life. With the advances in dentistry, there are effective and affordable solutions for nearly every esthetic concern. Dr. Leo Arellano and his talented team offer a wide array of services ranging from simple tooth whitening to complex smile makeovers.

Sometimes, simply removing stains and discoloration is the only treatment needed to give patients a terrific smile. Tooth whitening is the most requested cosmetic dental enhancement available today. The number of treatments performed annually has increased by more than 300 percent since 1996. Dr. Arellano offers several systems to whiten teeth, with options to whiten quickly in his office or conveniently at home.

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

Teeth can be lightened effectively by either method; however, the result will not be permanent. Periodic touch-up is necessary to maintain optimal brightness. The longevity of the whiteness varies between individuals, and depends on factors such as age, heredity, and habits. If the initial discoloration was caused by lifestyle habits, and they are unchanged after treatment, results can begin to fade in as little as four weeks, if not sooner. Alternatively, results can last for several years if;

  • Smoking and smokeless tobaccos are avoided
  • Staining beverages such as soda, tea, coffee, fruit juices, and wine are avoided, or sipped through a straw to reduce contact with the teeth.
  • The teeth are brushed or rinsed immediately after consuming richly colored foods. If the food is acidic the mouth should be rinsed, but brushing delayed for twenty minutes to give the tooth enamel time to harden.

During the first 48 hours after in office whitening treatment, the teeth are especially susceptible to staining. During this period, it is recommended that all staining substances be avoided. Dr. Arellano offers a complimentary 15-minute consultation to give the people of San Francisco the opportunity to learn about teeth whitening or other dental treatments. Patients are encouraged to call 415-881-4343 and arrange a personal consultation.

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Real Patients Real Results

Before and After Photos

Zoom® in-office bleaching used to whiten age related yellow staining.

Photo by Dr. Leo Arellano

Teeth Whitening – BNA Image – 05
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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