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
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Less invasive treatment therapies for Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction sufferers in San Francisco

Posted By: | Published On: | TMJ-TMD
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction San Francisco - Oral appliance therapy is part of a comprehensive treatment program provided by Dr. Arellano in San Francisco
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Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ/TMD/TMJD) afflicts more than 10 million Americans, according to estimates from the National Institute of Dental and Cranial Research. TMJ/TMD/TMJD is a collection of disorders that affect the jaw and muscles that control jaw movement.

Symptoms

While most people experience jaw discomfort at some point in their lives, for TMJ/TMD/TMJD sufferers, the symptoms can impact their quality of life to the degree that even sleeping and eating become difficult. The chronic jaw ache and limited jaw function are not easily relieved through over-the-counter analgesics or pure rest.

Diagnosis

Dr. Arellano diagnoses TMJ/TMD/TMJD through a battery of evaluations including dental x-rays, panoramic or CT scan radiographs that show the teeth and bone structure around the TMJ joint, and a comprehensive patient history to assess your specific symptoms.

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

Treatment

Treatment therapies for TMJ/TMD/TMJD can range from physical therapies to extreme surgical procedures to repair or replace your jaw. Today, TMJ/TMD/TMJD experts recommend that the best course of action is to begin with less invasive, more conservative methods. Dr. Leo Arellano is a San Francisco-area dentist expertly using innovative oral appliance devices to give relief to TMJ/TMD/TMJD sufferers.

There are several types of oral appliances to treat TMJ/TMD/TMJD. Repositioning splints work by moving the jaw into a new position that relieves pressure on the jaw joint. A second type, a stabilization splint, covers the upper or lower teeth and has a flat plate that helps keep patients from grinding their teeth (bruxism) and reduces sore jaw muscles. A third option is a modified splint that keeps the upper and lower jaws separated to prevent the back teeth from clenching and grinding against each other.

Self Care

Oral appliance therapy is part of a comprehensive treatment program provided by Dr. Arellano that also incorporates lifestyle adjustments to optimize effectiveness. This can include:

  • Avoid sleeping on your side, and use a pillow to support your shoulders and neck properly.
  • Therapeutic jaw exercises to loosen muscles and promote healing.
  • Moist heat using a warm towel or heat packs to reduce jaw joint pain.
  • Avoid cradling a telephone in your crook of your neck, which can exacerbate TMJ/TMD/TMJD.
  • Using your fist as a chin support when you yawn to prevent over flexing your jaw muscles.

To learn more about today’s treatments for TMJ/TMD/TMJD; contact Dr. Arellano at 415-881-4343.

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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...

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5.0

We’ve gone to Dr Arellano for many years and have never been disappointed with any of the work he’s done. Recently my husband broke a tooth and Leo got him in and had the tooth repaired within a few short hours. Service like that is very hard to finds these days. His office staff is fantastic. Nice people you are always glad to see. I would highly recommend Dr Arellano to anyone who is searching for an honest, competent, well trained dentist.

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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.