Oral cancer is often deemed the “forgotten disease,” because it kills more people than testicular cancer, cervical cancer and cancer of the brain each year and receives little publicity in return.  Each year, over 30,000 Americans contract oral cancer, and only 57% of these people will live for more than five years without treatment.

Many people believe that if they abstain from tobacco and alcohol use, oral cancer will not affect them.  Tobacco and alcohol use does contribute to oral cancer; however, 25% of those diagnosed abstain from both substances.

The best way to protect yourself is to have an annual oral cancer screening.   Our office performs the oral cancer exam during your regular dental checkup.  The FDA-approved VELscope^® gives us another examination tool to help detect oral cancer in its earliest stages.  The VELscope^® is a blue excitation lamp, which highlights precancerous and cancerous cell changes.

How does the VELscope^® work?

The VELscope^® uses Fluorescence Visualization (FV) in an exciting new way.  Essentially, bright blue light is shone into the mouth to expose changes and lesions that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye.  One of the biggest difficulties in diagnosing oral cancer is that its symptoms look similar to symptoms of less serious problems.  The VELscope^® System gives our dentists an important insight as to what is happening beneath the surface.

The healthy soft tissue of the mouth naturally absorbs the VELscope^® frequency of blue light. Healthy areas beneath the surface of the soft tissue show up green, and the problem areas become much darker.

How is the VELscope^® examination performed?

The VELscope^® examination literally takes only two or three minutes.  It is a painless and noninvasive procedure.  Initially, the dentist or hygienist will perform a regular visual examination of the whole lower face.  This includes the glands, tongue, cheeks and palate as well as the teeth.   You will be given special eyewear to protect your eyes and then the lights in the room are dimmed to allow a clear view of the oral cavity.

The VELscope^® is projected inside the mouth.  Lesions and other indicators of oral cancer are easily noticeable because they appear much darker under the specialized light.

If any abnormalities are noted,  the dentist  will discuss the best course of treatment with you.   If everything looks healthy, your next oral cancer screening will be performed in one year.   

If you have any questions or concerns about oral cancer screening or the VELscope^® system, please contact our office.