The VELscope is the first adjunctive device cleared by the FDA to help clinicians detect cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions and other lesions that might not be apparent to the naked eye.
VELscope is our standard of care for oral cancer screening. We find that using Velscope along with a standard oral cancer examination improves the ability to identify suspicious areas at their earliest stages.
Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life. If the cancer is found early, before it has spread to other tissues, the cure rate is nearly 90%.
The Velscope exam will be offered to you annually.
Oral Cancer is cancer of the mouth and most commonly involves the tissue of the lips or the tongue. It may also occur on the cheek lining, floor of the mouth, gums, or roof of the mouth.
Smoking and other tobacco use are linked to 70 – 80% of oral cancer cases. Heavy alcohol use is also associated with an increased risk for oral cancer. Other factors that may increase the risk for oral cancer are chronic irritation from rough teeth, dentures or fillings, human papilloma virus infection, and poor dental and oral hygiene.
Some common symptoms:
- Sore, lump or ulcer on the tongue, lip or other area of the mouth
- Abnormal taste in the mouth
- Chewing problems
- Pain with swallowing
- Speech difficulty
- Weight loss
Our office is dedicated to providing the latest in dental technology because we care about your health and well being! Call our office now to schedule your consultation!