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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What is Biomimetic Dentistry?

Using the most current science today, Biomimetic Dentistry (Bio meaning “life”, and mimetic meaning “like”) focuses on preserving as much of the natural hard tooth structure when a tooth needs to be restored. Only by going back to the science of how a tooth is naturally created are we able to develop minimally invasive techniques that emulate a natural tooth. This not only strengthens the tooth but mimics or emulates the natural strength, structure, and function of a healthy tooth.

That being said, it’s not all about drilling the tooth less, but about keeping the tooth strong. It’s also about the use of special bonding techniques and the judicious use of bonded sealants, fillings, inlays, and onlays first before considering crowns. These restorations should not only fill the deficiency in the tooth but also restore the toothache’s strength and function while at the same time sealing the tooth against the reinfection from tooth decay.

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

Preserving more of the hard tooth structure also means the accurate early diagnosis of tooth decay and cracks so that they can be treated as early as possible with minimally invasive techniques. Early diagnosis of tooth decay is based on the Modern Model of Tooth Decay and the use of special tooth decay detection dyes and laser fluorescence technology tools.

Biomimetic Dentistry emphasizes the long-term survival of the tooth rather than the long-term success of the restoration itself. It allows for the failure of the restoration that is more easily repairable versus catastrophic failure of the tooth itself or the nerve of the tooth. When we consider that more drilling on tooth structure correlates with the need for future root canal treatment and loss of a tooth, then the minimally invasive nature of Biomimetic Dentistry should be considered.

Talk to Dr. Arellano today to discuss your concerns and get on the path to greater overall health.

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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

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