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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Protect your overall health with San Francisco gum disease treatment

San Francisco dentist Gum Disease Treatment

Ongoing research continues to discover new associations between oral health and systemic conditions throughout the body. There have been numerous links revealed between periodontal pathogens and diseases that affect the lungs, blood sugar, heart, pregnancy, kidneys, Alzheimer’s, and various cancers. Emerging science indicates that oral health is a major factor in the prevention of any inflammatory disease.

Periodontal (gum) disease is an oral disease that begins with bacterial growth in the mouth (plaque), and can progress from inflammation of the gums to destruction of the periodontal ligament, bone loss, and eventual tooth loss. Plaque develops when sugars and starches are left on the teeth and bacteria begin thriving on these foods. If this plaque is not removed regularly with oral hygiene and professional cleaning, gum disease can set in.

Gum disease is treatable, but patient vigilance and cooperation with the dentist is crucial to control this serious condition. There are many aspects to the successful treatment of gum disease:

Behavioral

The very first thing a dentist may recommend is some changes in behavior. Since plaque is the principal trigger for gum disease, it must be removed carefully every day. Excellent oral hygiene consists of careful brushing of all surfaces of every tooth, for at least two minutes, morning, and night. Daily cleaning between the teeth with dental floss or an intra-oral brush is also crucial. When flossing is skipped, 35% of the tooth’s surface is not cleaned.

We are here to help Call us at 415-881-4343 or Schedule an Appointment
A balanced and nutritious diet, sufficient sleep, and adequate exercise are important to successful and sustained control of gum disease. Avoidance of all tobacco products, including “smokeless” tobacco is also essential to good oral health. Regular visits to the dentist for an exam and the hygienist for a professional cleaning is critical to the early detection and treatment of gum disease.

Treatment

Periodontal treatment is carried out in the least invasive manner possible. Scaling and root planing is typically the first action taken by the dentist. This involves removing the plaque and tartar from the root surfaces and smoothing those surfaces. Ozone therapy is becoming a popular treatment for gum disease as studies have supported the effectiveness of its oxidant and antibacterial effects in stopping the progress of the disease, remineralizing the bone, and facilitating the healing process. Laser therapy has proven to be an effective treatment for gum disease as well. The success of any of these treatments requires the meticulous at home oral hygiene. In some severe cases, periodontal surgery may be necessary, if the dentist finds that the tissue around the teeth cannot be repaired with noninvasive treatments.

To enjoy the benefits of optimal oral and overall health, begin an appropriate oral hygiene routine today, and call 415-881-4343 to schedule a comprehensive examination with Dr. Leo Arellano today.

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Old Bonding and Chipped Tooth Repaired With Porcelain Restorations

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What our patients are saying...

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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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