Treatments

Vizilite

Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when it's caught early. That's why the ViziLite Plus exam has been developed. ViziLite Plus uses technology that has proven successful in identifying soft tissue abnormalities in other areas of the body. A ViziLite Plus exam is particularly important if you are at increased risk for developing oral cancer.

THE DEADLY STATISTICS
Every hour of every day, one American dies of oral cancer.  The mortality rate associated with oral cancer has not improved significantly in the last 40 years. The death rate in the United States for oral cancer is higher than that of cervical cancer, Hodgkin's disease, cancer of the brain, liver, testes, kidney, or ovary.  More than 30,000 Americans will receive an oral cancer diagnosis this year. In five years, only 57% will still be alive.

27% of oral cancer victims do not use tobacco or alcohol and have no other lifestyle risk factors.
Oral cancer is one of the most curable diseases when it's caught early. That's why the ViziLite Plus exam has been developed. ViziLite Plus uses technology that has proven successful in identifying soft tissue abnormalities in other areas of the body. A ViziLite Plus exam is particularly important if you are at increased risk for developing oral cancer An annual ViziLite Plus exam, in combination with a regular visual examination, provides a comprehensive oral screening procedure for patients at increased risk for oral cancer. The ViziLite Plus exam is painless and fast, and could help save your life. ViziLite Plus is performed immediately following a regular visual examination.

  • First, you will be instructed to rinse with a cleansing solution
  • Next, the overhead lighting will be dimmed
  • Then, your dental professional will examine your mouth using ViziLite Plus, a specially designed light technology

How ViziLite Plus Works
As with most serious diseases, early detection is the key to successful outcomes. Unfortunately, the problem with oral cancer is that approximately 70% of the time it is not visible to the dental professional until it has reached an advanced stage. ViziLite Plus technology assists us in seeing abnormal tissue in the mouth, before it is plainly obvious.
As ViziLite Plus passes over oral tissue that has been treated with the rinse solution, normal healthy tissue will absorb the light and appear dark, abnormal tissue will appear white. The purpose of using ViziLite Plus is to identify tissue changes at their earliest stage; once abnormal tissue has been identified it is up to your dental professional to determine what the appropriate next steps are.

Without Vizilite With Vizilite

 

Benefits and Expectations
When oral cancer is found at the earliest stage, treatment is quicker, simpler, less involved, and more then 90% successful! When oral cancer is diagnosed in late stage, treatment is expensive, disfiguring and has a poor survival rate. ViziLite Plus is a technology used by us to assist in the early detection of abnormal tissue in your mouth. ViziLite Plus helps us see abnormal tissue that is not visible during a regular exam. At the conclusion of a ViziLite Plus exam, following a standard visual exam, you can be confident you have received the most comprehensive oral cancer screening available

Who is at Risk?
Oral Cancer Risk by Patient Profile:
Increased Risk: Patients age 18-39 with no lifestyle risk factors. High Risk: Patients age 40 and older with no risk factors OR patients age 18-39 with lifestyle risk factors. Highest Risk: Patients age 40 and older with lifestyle risk factors or patients with a history of oral cancer

Risk Factors:
Lifestyle risk factors for oral cancer include

  • Tobacco use (any type, any age, within 10 years)

  • Alcohol consumption of at least 1 drink per day (3 ounces of hard liquor, 4 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer)

  • Immune deficiencies such as HIV & AIDS

  • Human Papilloma Virus, particularly HPV 16/18