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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A bridge is an effective treatment for a gap between teeth after tooth loss in San Francisco

Teeth Gap Treatment from San Francisco Dentist

Although teeth are meant to last a lifetime, trauma, periodontal disease, decay, and other conditions can result in the loss of a tooth. Some patients may feel that if the gap isn’t visible, there is no reason to replace a missing tooth; however, a gap between teeth can cause a number of problems:

  • Alignment – When a lost tooth isn’t replaced, the remaining teeth can lean into the gap due to loss of support. This can cause misalignment across the arch, which can increase the risk for periodontal disease.
  • Diet – Missing teeth can make it difficult to chew food thoroughly, which can lead to nutritional and digestive problems.
  • Speech – The tongue needs to be pressed against the back of the teeth to pronounce certain sounds. When gaps exist, clear speech can become difficult, if not impossible.
  • Jaw discomfort – When there is a gap between teeth, patients tend to chew on the opposite side of the mouth rather than balancing their chewing. This can lead to jaw discomfort and unusual wear on the teeth.
  • Aesthetics – In addition to an unsightly gap if the tooth loss occurred in the visible portion of the smile, facial contours can be affected due to loss of support for the lips or cheek.

Dr. Arellano and his skilled team offer several options to replace missing teeth, but a dental bridge remains a very popular choice. A dental bridge usually requires just two visits – one for preparation and one for placement.

Preparation visit

During the preparation visit, the area is numbed with a local anesthetic to ensure patient comfort. The teeth adjacent to the gap are reduced and shaped to facilitate placement of the crowns that anchor the bridge in place. An impression is taken, which is sent to the dental laboratory where the bridge will be created. A temporary resin bridge will be placed to protect the prepared teeth. It is bonded in place with a temporary cement to make removal easier during the final appointment.

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

Placement visit

When the final restoration is ready, the patient returns to the office for placement. The interim bridge is removed and the permanent one is tried for proper fit. It can be adjusted if the bridge is too high. The bite is checked carefully and any necessary alterations are made to ensure the bridge meets the opposing teeth correctly. If the bite isn’t precise, it could lead to discomfort for the patient and early bridge failure. Once the fit satisfies Dr. Arellano and the patient, the bridge is placed using an extremely strong durable cement.

Dental implants and partial dentures are other options for replacing missing teeth. The doctor works with patients to help them choose the option that best fits their needs, desires, and budget. Call 415-881-4343 today and schedule an appointment with the team that keeps San Francisco smiling beautifully.

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Real Patients Real Results

Before and After Photos

Replacing a missing front tooth with a fixed bridge has made this patient smile more.

Photo by Dr. Leo Arellano

Crowns - Bridges – BNA Image – 03
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What our patients are saying...

originally posted on Google
5.0

I’m happy to wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Leo Arellano. Dr. Arellano has been my dentist since the late 1980s, shortly after he established his practice, and I have relied on his expertise since then. He is an exceptionally skilled and caring dentist. Everyone who is part of his team represents the practice with a very high degree of professionalism and sincerity.

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