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 Gum Disease

San Francisco Dental Gum Disease treatment

Caring for your teeth is important, but so is caring for your gums. Your gums are part of the foundation for your teeth, protecting the bone and the tooth’s roots. Inadequate oral care along with plaque can cause this strong foundation to recede leaving the more sensitive part of your tooth exposed and your gum and bone damaged.

Gum disease also known as periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that is caused by the bacteria found in plaque. It can cause damage to the gum and underlying bone and cause tooth loss. Periodontal actually means ‘around the tooth’. When this infection attacks the health around the tooth and is left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss regardless if the tooth is healthy.

We are here to help Call us at 415-881-4343 or Schedule an Appointment
There are two forms of gum disease based on the stage of infection it has reached: gingivitis and periodontitis. The mildest of the two forms is gingivitis, which in most cases with treatment is reversible. With this disease your gums will bleed and become swollen and red. Typically gingivitis causes no real discomfort, nevertheless it is important that you receive care and treatment before it progresses into periodontitis. The more severe form of gum disease is periodontitis. Periodontitis comes in several forms: aggressive periodontitis, chronic periodontitis, as a manifestation of systemic diseases, and necrotizing. During the periodontitis stage, plaque grows and extends down below the gum line where the bacteria release toxins causing the gums to become irritated. Eventually the foundation (bone and gum tissue) are slowly and irreversibly damaged. In time the teeth will start to become loose, and possibly fall out or have to be removed.

Aggressive periodontitis can occur in those who are even in good general health and can be difficult to control. Bone loss and gum damage can occur quickly. Chronic periodontitis is the most frequent form of periodontitis where bone loss and gum damage occur more slowly over time. As a manifestion of systemic diseases, periodontitis is stemmed from other diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and respiratory disease. The necrotizing form of periodontitis is often found in those with conditions stemming from HIV, immunosuppression, and malnutrition.

It is important to visit your dentist at least every six months for preventive measures. The sooner gum disease is treated the better the outcome.

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Real Patients Real Results

Before and After Photos

Commonly small upper lateral incisors are conservatively made larger with no-prep porcelain veneers.

Photo by Dr. Leo Arellano

Veneers – BNA Image – 12-1
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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.

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