Our practice continually looks for advances to ensure that we are providing the optimum level of oral health care for patients.
One American dies every hour from oral cancer. Late detection of oral cancer is the primary cause that both the incidence and mortality rates of oral cancer continue to increase. As with most cancers, age is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. Tobacco and alcohol use are other major predisposing risk factors but more than 25% of oral cancer victims have no such lifestyle risk factors. Studies indicate that 25% of oral cancers occur in people who are non-smokers. Recently, research has been conducted that has shown a strong link between oral cancer and HPV.
We have recently incorporated ViziLite into our oral screening standard of care. ViziLite is the only medical screening device for oral cancer that is approved by the FDA. We find that using ViziLite along with a standard oral cancer screening improves the ability to identify suspicious areas at their earliest stages. Vizi-Lite is similar to other proven early detection procedures for other cancers such as mammography, PAP smear, and PSA. ViziLite is a simple, fast and painless examination that gives the best chance to find any oral abnormalities at the earliest stage possible. Early detection of precancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life. When detected early enough oral cancer is 90% curable and patients can live a healthy life. The ViziLite exam will be offered to you annually.
For more information on ViziLite please visit them online at www.vizilite.com.