Advanced Technology

Vizilite Plus Oral Cancer Screening

We have incorporated this new oral cancer screening into our routine exams, which we recommend be done once per year.

Most people are surprised to learn that one American dies every hour from oral cancer; a death rate that has remained virtually unchanged for more than 40 years. In fact, recent statistics published by the American Cancer Society indicate that while the incidence and death rates for cancers overall has decreased, the incidence of oral cancer has increased by 5.5% and the death rate has increased by 1.5%.

Oral cancer is far too often discovered in late stage development, the primary reason for the consistently high death rate. Oral cancer treatment often results in disfiguring effects on patients, and can seriously compromise their quality of life. Early detection and diagnosis can make a tremendous difference in life expectancy; oral cancer is 90% curable when found in its early stages. Unfortunately, 70% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the late stages, III and IV, leading to a five-year survival rate of 57%.

The Vizilite Plus exam is used as an adjunct to our routine visual exam done during your hygiene visits. This exam consists of swishing with a special rinse which coats the soft tissues of the oral cavity. We then use a chemiluminescent light to examine the tissues which can detect a possible lesion deeper under the surface which allows for earlier detection and referral for treatment if necessary.

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