VELscope Oral Cancer Screening
Innovation Dental has invested in a screening device called the VELscope which uses the latest technology to help early detection of inflammation, infection, cancerous and precancerous tissue.
The VELscope is a handheld tool that emits a safe blue light into the mouth. The blue light causes the layers of tissue in the mouth to change color and these color changes provide the dentist with an effective means of differentiating between normal and abnormal tissue.
The VELscope procedure is safe, painless, non-invasive, and uses no rinses or stains.
At Innovation dental, a first VELscope exam is included at no charge with all of our new patient exams. If you smoke or chew tobacco – 6 month screenings are recommended.
Why should I have a VELscope oral cancer screening?
- First and foremost, it could save your life!
- Early detection is key
- It only takes 3-5 minutes.
- Velscope exams allows us to literally see beneath the surface to detect what the eye cannot see
What can you do to prevent oral cancer?
Risk factors that you can control:
- Tobacco use
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Excessive unprotected exposure to the sun.
- Low intake of fruits and vegetables.
- Chewing of Betel Nut and other like substances.
- Casual sexual activity
Risk factors that you cannot control:
- HPV viral infection
- Race, ethnicity, and economics.
- Recurrence
- Gender
What are the steps in the event of a suspicious finding?
If an abnormality is discovered during the course of an exam, we will attempt to determine its cause based on all of the clinical information acquired during the oral assessment process. If appropriate, after addressing the presumed cause, we will schedule a follow-up visit with you in 2-3 weeks to see if the abnormality has resolved.
Persistent oral lesions require further assessment that normally includes biopsy or referral to an appropriate physician for additional diagnostic evaluation.
The doctors at Innovation Dental strongly encourage every patient to consider including a VELscope exam in the routine of their hygiene checkup, annually. There is an extra fee for the VELscope examination (after your New Patient Exam). For more information, please see www.velscope.com.
