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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Working with your dentist to regain mobility and comfort with TMJ/TMD treatment in San Francisco

Posted By: | Published On: | TMJ-TMD
TMJ TMD Treatment in San Francisco - If you experience symptoms of TMJ/TMD, schedule a consultation with Dr. Arellano in San Francisco today.
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TMJ means the temporomandibular joint. These 2 joints connect the lower jaw to the skull in front of both ears. They work with facial muscles to function when chewing and speaking. When these joints and associated muscles do not work properly, you may have TMD, temporomandibular joint disorder. You might experience head, jaw, and neck pain; ear pain; swelling; trouble chewing; and popping or clicking sounds when you bite.

We all might occasionally experience pain in the jaw. This is quite common and may not be a sign of TMD. However, when pain or swelling is present for more than a week or two, it is important to consider whether TMD is the problem and get an evaluation. Dr. Arellano has provided excellent TMJ/TMD treatment in San Francisco for some time and can help you determine the best course of action to eliminate pain and restore function. Ideally, treatment for TMD should begin when the disorder is in its early stages.

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Treating TMD may involve a number of exercises as well as the use of a special dental appliance called a nightguard or splint. Some of the recommendations for what can be done at home include:

  • Eat soft foods while your TMD is being treated.
  • Take anti-inflammatory pain medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen to ease pain when necessary.
  • Apply warm compresses to the area where pain is occurring for approximately 20 minutes, especially before performing any exercises recommended by Dr. Arellano or your medical doctor.
  • Gently massage the affected area a few minutes each day.

At-home care for TMJ/TMD is helpful for faster healing but is not a substitute for professional care. After an assessment with Dr. Arellano, you can determine the likely cause of your pain and the most suitable treatment option. Allowing this condition to continue may worsen pain and symptoms to the point of requiring more invasive treatments, so getting professional help early is important.

If you experience any of the symptoms of TMJ/TMD, schedule a consultation with Dr. Arellano to discover if treatment is required.

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I’m happy to wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Leo Arellano. Dr. Arellano has been my dentist since the late 1980s, shortly after he established his practice, and I have relied on his expertise since then. He is an exceptionally skilled and caring dentist. Everyone who is part of his team represents the practice with a very high degree of professionalism and sincerity.

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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.