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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Learn effective dental implant care from your San Francisco dentist

Posted By: | Published On: | Dental Implants
The routine care of implants is quite similar to the daily care of natural teeth.
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The routine care of implants is quite similar to the daily care of natural teeth. It is vital to keep implants clean and free of plaque by brushing two times a day and flossing daily. Cleaning implants are particularly essential after meals. This is achieved by brushing gently and paying special attention to cleaning all sides of the implant. During the consultation, the dentist will provide guidelines for dental implant care in San Francisco.

Aids for oral hygiene as part of your dental implant care may include:

  • Soft, small, electric or manual toothbrush
  • Tartar-control toothpaste
  • Dental floss to clean around the implant

The dentist may also recommend:

  • Inter-dental brushes or other oral aids to remove plaque between the teeth or on both sides of the implant
  • Antimicrobial mouth rinses

You must be dedicated to following proper daily dental hygiene at home as well as routine dental visits. It is advisable to consult your dentist every six months for a comprehensive oral exam and cleaning.

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

Aftercare following Implant Treatment

  • Consume only a liquid diet and do not eat until the local anesthetic effect subsides. Do not have hot food or beverages on the initial day. Do not perform vigorous exercise such as running and working out in the gym for at least 24 to 48 hours after the implant procedure.
  • You may experience some inflammation and/or bruising after the treatment. This swelling typically peaks 2 to 3 days later. This is normal, and will fade away after some days. Inflammation can be addressed using ice packs wrapped in a towel. Hold against the cheek region for not more than 10 minutes at a time with a 20-minute break. After 24 hours, mild heat is more advantageous. Sleeping in an elevated position using 2 to 3 pillows may also be helpful.
  • The pain should be manageable. Though you may experience soreness for some days following any mouth surgery, this can be conveniently managed using simple analgesics (painkillers). You should take these pain medications routinely at the highest stated dosage for the initial two days after your procedure. Use whatever painkillers you normally use for aches, sprains, and headaches. It is advisable to take the first dosage before the effects of the anesthetic wear off completely.
  • If you use a denture covering the treatment area, you should wear it as frequently as possible during the first week after the surgery to protect the treatment area and allow for proper healing. You should always remove the denture at night time.
    • Special dental implant care in San Francisco
  • While the stitches are dissolvable, they frequently remain for approximately 2 to 3 weeks. If they feel uncomfortable, you can reach out to us to remove the stitches.
  • Some slight bleeding in the mouth after the surgical procedure is normal. If the bleeding persists, apply pressure through biting firmly over the location on a damp gauze pad for 60 minutes while sitting in an upright position. You need to keep checking and changing the gauze as needed. After applying pressure in this manner, you should contact us if the bleeding continues.
  • If you have been prescribed an antibiotic medication after the procedure, do make sure that you complete the entire course prescribed.

Teeth Cleaning Tips for Implant Patients

  • The success of oral surgery is dependent on ensuring that the mouth is kept as clean as possible.
  • You should commence cleaning your other teeth normally using a toothbrush, beginning on the evening of the surgical procedure. Do not brush the surgical area for the initial few days. However, after a few days, cautiously clean this site with a soft toothbrush after the tenderness subsides.
  • Warm salt water rinses (a cup of warm water with a teaspoon of salt) are quite beneficial for recovery in the initial week. Make sure that the mouth rinse is not too warm, and hold the warm rinse over the treated site. Repeat this process as often as you can.
  • Do not smoke until the wound has healed. This has a severe adverse impact on the healing process.

Overall, you may not require any special dental implant care in San Francisco, except maintaining good oral hygiene and avoiding very hard or sticky foods.

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Real Patients Real Results

Before and After Photos

A removable partial denture and failing remaining lower teeth replaced with a dental implant supported hybrid denture that is firmly retained by screws.

Photo by Dr. Leo Arellano

Dental Implants – BNA Image – 12
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What our patients are saying...

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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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"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.