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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TMJ treatment for San Francisco area patients

TMJ treatment San Francisco - We help San Francisco patients find relief from jaw discomfort and popping, headaches, and ear pain caused by TMJ, with oral appliance treatment.

TMJ is an often-heard phrase that relates to pain, grinding, and locking of the jaw. Many times, parents become familiar with the term when children grind their teeth, or when adolescents have unexplained jaw pain. However, it is important to note that TMJ disorders also affects adults. For treatment in the San Francisco area, patients trust Dr. Leo Arellano.

Understanding TMJ

The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) connects the lower jaw to the skull. With two fingers placed just in front of the ear, you can feel a small indentation. If you keep your fingers in place while opening and closing your mouth, you will likely feel the rounded edges of the jaw as it shifts inside the joint. Completing this exercise without pain indicates that the joint needs no treatment.

However, if you have pain, hear a popping or clicking noise, or have a jaw that locks into an open or closed position, you could have a TMJ disorder, caused by a dysfunction of that joint. If pain lasts for more than a few days, or if it is intense and begins to creep into the head, neck, or face, it is time to schedule an appointment with Dr. Arellano.

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

Drug-free therapy

Once a TMJ dysfunction has been diagnosed, Dr. Arellano may suggest treatment with a custom-made oral appliance called a nightguard. The device brings the jaw joint into better alignment and relieves pressure, to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms. The appliance fits over the upper or lower teeth and may keep you from subconsciously clenching and grinding. Clenching and grinding, called bruxism, may also be a sign of sleep apnea. In this case, a nightguard alone might actually worsen the bruxism, but a custom-made oral appliance that fits on both the upper and lower teeth can help both the bruxism and sleep apnea.

Oral appliances are often the fastest and least invasive manner to correct problems caused by TMJ disorders. If you want a treatment alternative that addresses the root of the problem, rather than masking symptoms with pain medication, contact Dr. Arellano at 415-881-4343. He will work with you to find the most appropriate treatment plan to correct your TMJ and ease your discomfort.

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Gum Grafting

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What our patients are saying...

originally posted on Google
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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