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

San Francisco, CA dentist explains the pinhole surgical treatment for gum recession from periodontal disease

Pinhole Surgical Gum Recession Treatment in San Francisco area

When San Francisco, CA patients have a diagnosis of periodontal disease, treatment doesn’t end once the condition has been successfully managed. For many patients, the gum recession that occurred from the disease can impact the health and appearance of the smile. Instead of soft tissue gum grafting, patients are often excited to learn that Dr. Leo Arellano is a dentist who offers another option for treatment: Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique®.

What is the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique®?

Dr. Leo Arellano describes the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique® as a treatment for patients who have experienced gum recession from periodontal disease. Once the doctor is able to stabilize the patient’s periodontal health, he can then make a recommendation for treatment. This method of treatment is best used for patients who do not have more advanced cases of recession, as traditional gum grafting may be more suitable for their needs.

This unique technique is achieved with the use of specialized instruments. By creating a tiny pinhole in the gum tissues, Dr. Leo Arellano can then use these special instruments to pull the gum tissue over the receded areas to restore the natural gum line and cover the exposed roots of teeth. This treatment does not require scalpels or sutures, making it a much less invasive alternative for patients who may otherwise consider conventional methods.

What are the benefits of the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique®?

Using this unique treatment, patients will enjoy many benefits:

  • Minimally invasive solution
  • No incisions or suturing
  • No grafting of soft tissues from the roof of your mouth
  • Avoids the use of donated or cadaver tissue
  • Fast solution
  • Effective treatment
  • Affordable option
  • Virtually painless
  • Short recovery period
  • Same-day results

What patients can expect after their treatment

After the procedure, many patients will have sensitive gums that are easily irritated with brushing. During the first few weeks following the procedure, patients will be prescribed a specific mouthwash to use instead of brushing the teeth and causing unwanted irritation. Patients may also need to eat soft foods for a short period following the surgery. Any discomfort that develops from the procedure can be easily managed with most over-the-counter pain-relieving medications. Patients will schedule follow-up appointments with Dr. Leo Arellano, during which the healing process is monitored. If patients experience any signs of infection or have other problems following their procedure, they are urged to get in connect with their dentist to determine if an appointment needs to be scheduled.

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

Who is a candidate for Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique®?

The best candidates for this procedure are patients who have mild to moderate gum recession caused by periodontal disease, aggressive tooth brushing, a stressful bite, or one’s genetic tendencies. Patients should have their condition managed with their dentist before considering reconstructive surgical options such as this. Dr. Leo Arellano can evaluate a patient during a consultation to decide if this procedure is best for their needs.

What other options are available?

While many patients find that Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique® fits their needs, others may have too severe of a condition to treat in this manner. Conventional methods of grafting gum tissue require the patient to have a strip of gum tissue typically harvested from the roof of the mouth placed over or underneath the gum tissue in the gum recession area. This method uses scalpels and incisions that require sutures and extended healing time that many patients want to avoid. So, if patients cannot have the pinhole option performed on their gums, they need to consider an alternative solution such as this. If needed, Dr. Leo Arellano is also skilled at other traditional gum grafting procedures, or he can refer patients to other dental specialists in the San Francisco, CA community.

Why should I restore my gum line after the gum recession?

Why should I restore my gum line after the gum recession in San Francisco area

Although tooth loss from progressive gum recession is possible, the more common reasons to treat gum recession that exposes root surfaces are:

  • Difficult Oral Hygiene – The change in the shape of the gums tends to trap more food and plaque and makes it more difficult to perform good oral hygiene which can lead to
  • Root Sensitivity – Root sensitivity can be the first sign that a cavity might be forming.  The discomfort may result in avoiding certain foods or drinks, and in not being able to toothbrush the area thoroughly
  • Root Cavities – Difficult or inadequate oral hygiene usually results in more cavities.  Cavities on the root surfaces are more difficult to treat successfully and can lead to the need for root canal treatment.
  • Gum Disease – Difficult oral hygiene also contributes to gum disease called periodontitis that leads to more gum recession.
  • Aesthetics – The appearance of your smile may be negatively affected if the exposed roots of teeth and the subsequent gaps between teeth can be seen when you talk or smile.  This is where the expression “long in the tooth” describes the appearance of this gum disease condition that occurs over time as we age.
  • Loose Teeth – Most dentists and their patients are concerned only about controlling “deep gum pockets and bleeding gums.”   But consider that whenever there is gum recession, that means there is no bone supporting the tooth in that area; and progressive recession means more bone is being irreversibly lost whether or not there is bleeding or a deep gum pocket.  This can lead to tooth looseness.
  • Tooth Loss – Finally, tooth loss occurs when there is insufficient bone to support a tooth.  This condition is a common reason why people need dentures as they get older.

Early treatment can help prevent tooth loss and maintain your teeth and smile in optimal comfort, health, function, and appearance.

Learn more about pinhole surgery with Dr. Leo Arellano

San Francisco, CA patients who are interested in discussing gum recession treatment following periodontal disease are welcome to request a visit with Dr. Leo Arellano. The clinic is located at 3030 Geary Boulevard, and the front office team can be reached at 415-881-4343.

Share this Article



Real Patients Real Results

Before and After Photos

Tooth with failing root canal, fractured root, and poor crown esthetics replaced with a dental implant and new crown.

Photo by Dr. Leo Arellano

Dental Implants – BNA Image – 10-1
More Result

What our patients are saying...

originally posted on Google
5.0

I recently had a dental implant procedure performed by Dr. Arellano.
I could not be more pleased with the results. From the initial consultation to insertion of the implants, Dr. Arellano made this entire procedure understandable, easy, & pain-free !!
Highly recommend this professional dentist.

More Reviews