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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San Francisco dentist discusses, “What is teeth whitening? Discovering how to achieve a brighter smile”

Posted By: | Published On: | Teeth Whitening
What is Teeth Whitening in San Francisco area
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Your smile is often the first thing others notice. What is your smile saying about you?

A whiter, more radiant smile can give you confidence, help you make a good impression, and make you feel better about your appearance. Regardless of the reason, teeth whitening can give you the results that you desire.

Professional teeth whitening has become a popular cosmetic dental procedure in San Francisco because it provides beautiful, dramatic results in very little time. At the office of Dr. Leo Arellano, DDS, we have multiple whitening options to make your smile noticeably whiter and brighter. Whether you want the speed of having results in just a single appointment or would prefer to whiten gradually in the comfort of your home, we have options that we’ll explore in the following article.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is the process of removing stains from the teeth and lightening the color for a whiter, brighter appearance. Teeth whitening tackles intrinsic stains which are the ones caused by the foods we eat and other factors such as smoking.

What is the difference between in-office and at-home teeth whitening?

In-office teeth whitening involves the application of a professional-strength bleach to the teeth. Some methods use a light activated bleaching agent while others are chemically activated.

At-home whitening involves preparing a custom set of trays and bleaching solution to be used at home for a specified amount of time each day.

In some cases, we may recommend a combination of both in-office and at-home treatments for the best results.

How does teeth whitening remove stains?

As the oxygen molecules in the bleaching agent penetrates the enamel of the teeth, it breaks down the discolored molecules leaving you with a whiter smile.

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How long does it take to get results?

With in-office whitening you will leave the office in about 2 hours with a smile that is noticeably brighter. If you choose at-home whitening, the process is gradual with optimal results reached around the two-week mark.

The results of teeth whitening can be very long-lasting with a little maintenance. It’s important to maintain good oral hygiene, regular dental cleanings, and try to minimize the consumption of stain causing foods and beverages.

What can I do to keep my smile bright?

Here are some tips for maintaining a whitened smile:

  1. Limit stain causing foods and beverages. If you do consume dark colored beverages such as coffee, tea, or red wine, using a straw can help keep them from staining the front teeth.
  2. Brush or rinse after consuming stain causing products.
  3. Consider maintenance touch-ups. It’s important to note that teeth that are whitened are still susceptible to future stains so individuals may need periodic treatments.

 

What are the side effects of teeth whitening?

Increased tooth and gum sensitivity is the main side effect of teeth whitening. This is a temporary side effect and typically resolves in a few days. By choosing professional whitening from a dentist, you can ensure that the correct concentration of bleaching agent is being used in order to minimize the possibility of sensitivity.

What if I have dental restorations?

What if I have dental restorations in San Francisco area

Teeth whitening poses no risk of damage to existing fillings, crowns, or other dental restorations. The important thing to keep in mind is that these restorations will not respond to teeth whitening. If the pre-existing dental work was done to match stained or discolored teeth, it may need to be replaced to match the newly brightened teeth.

What do I need to do prior to teeth whitening?

There isn’t much that needs to be done prior to teeth whitening. If it’s been a while since your last professional dental cleaning, we recommend having a dental cleaning done first to remove any plaque and tartar buildup that could prevent the bleaching agent from effectively penetrating the enamel.

Get a whiter, brighter smile from the office of Dr. Leo Arellano, DDS in San Francisco, CA

If you are ready to see how teeth whitening can transform your smile, give us a call today. We’ll discuss your goals and together, agree upon which teeth whitening method will be best for you. To get started, call our office at  415-881-4343 to set up a consultation.

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Before and After Photos

"Instant orthodontics" to straighten and repair the upper front 4 teeth with veneers.

Photo by Dr. Leo Arellano

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What our patients are saying...

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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.