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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3030 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118 | Directions
New Patients please call 415-881-4343
Existing Patients please call 415-752-8311
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What is the best method of teeth whitening in San Francisco?

Posted By: | Published On: | Teeth Whitening
Dr. Leo Arellano at Leo Arellano DDS PC Explaining What is the best method of teeth whitening in San Francisco
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Teeth whitening is the single most popular cosmetic dental procedure available today; it is also considered the safest. There are a myriad of commercial over the counter whitening products advertised on TV and in magazines. Strips, gels, trays, toothpastes, rinses, and even gum can be purchased at the local drugstore or supermarket. Although some of these methods are moderately successful at removing surface stains, they lack the power of professional whitening products.

Some of the commercial products can aggravate existing oral conditions. The ready-made whitening trays are not customized to an individual’s bite as professional trays are. They can leak the gel onto the gum tissue, causing irritation and sensitivity. Treatment with commercial products typically have to be repeated frequently because the whitening agents only lighten the surface of the teeth, which can discolor again easily because the underlying stains still present.

Due to the long recognized safety of teeth whitening, there is no need to delay getting started. The first step should be to discuss the idea with Dr. Leo Arellano. He can recommend the type and level of whitening that would be best for an individual. He is dedicated to providing optimal oral health, effective dental treatments, and healthy beautiful smiles for his patients. He offers both chairside and at home whitening options for the convenience of his patients. Even if a patient chooses to use a commercial whitening product, an oral health check is recommended first to make sure there are no underlying oral conditions that could be affected.

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Chairside, also called in-office whitening can be completed in as little as one hour. For this treatment, the lips are covered and a protective barrier is painted on your gums and hardened with the curing light. This protects sensitive soft tissue from coming in contact with the bleaching agent. The high concentration peroxide gel is painted on the teeth and activated with a UV lamp. Three or four 15 to 20 minute cycles are completed, and at the end of each cycle the gel is removed and a fresh coat is applied. When complete, the barriers are removed, the mouth is rinsed, and the patient walks out the door with a smile that is many shades lighter.

At home whitening, also called tray whitening, is extremely popular with those who would prefer the privacy of their home and the convenience of working their whitening into a busy time schedule. Custom fitted trays and professional strength gel are provided to the patient along with detailed instructions. The process usually takes one to two weeks, but some results will be apparent right away.

Anyone who wants a brighter, whiter smile should call 415-881-4343 today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Arellano.

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Real Patients Real Results

Before and After Photos

Crowded teeth and failing root canal tooth needing extraction corrected with Invisalign®, bleaching, and dental implant.

Photo by Dr. Leo Arellano

Dental Implants – BNA Image – 11
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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

"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.