Oral Cancer Screenings
As with any kind of cancer, early detection gives you the best chance for optimal treatment and recovery. We take your oral cancer screening seriously, integrating it into your regular dental visits. Modern advances in technology allow us to determine, with better precision than ever, the earliest stages of oral cancer. We understand that this is a critical component of the overall health and well being of each patient.
We use an ultraviolet light at times to help us take an even closer look since some signs of oral cancer can be invisible to the naked eye. There are other advanced devices we can access as well if there is any question as to the health of the tissue in your mouth.
The fact of the matter is that you can greatly reduce your risk for oral cancer by eliminating certain life style choices including drinking large amounts of alcohol or smoking in any form. You can also attend the dentist regularly for screenings for early detection. These choices make a big difference when it comes to reducing your health risks associated with undiagnosed oral cancer.
In our efforts to use modern technology to help our patients, at Oro Valley Dental Arts we use VELscope® technology in our oral cancer screening.
“The VELscope® Enhanced Oral Assessment System centers on a handheld scope that is used by dentists to help visualize oral tissue abnormalities, including cancer and pre-cancer.
The VELscope® system is an adjunctive device which means it must be used together with and as a supplement to the traditional intra and extraoral head and neck exam. Unlike other adjunctive devices used for oral examinations, the VELscope® does not require any dyes or prolonged testing procedures. In fact, a VELscope® exam can be performed in the dentist’s office during a routine hygiene exam in about two minutes.”
Watch to learn more about how VELscope® can help detect oral cancer.