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With new technology advancing all the time, VELscope® has changed oral cancer screening. The device is hand-held, and emits a harmless blue light that allows the dentist to carefully inspect the oral cavity. The blue-spectrum light of VELscope® actually causes the soft tissue of the mouth and tongue to fluoresce. Healthy tissue fluoresces differently than tissue that has experienced physical change (this can happen for many reasons, one of which is oral cancer).
At the Mackenzie Dental Centre, Dr. Pedvis uses the VELscope® device to supplement traditional oral exams. The device helps to identify abnormal tissue, including cancerous or pre-cancerous abnormalities. And while visual exams are essential to diagnosis, VELscope® is extremely helpful when the naked eye needs assistance. Bottom line: examinations can be far more thorough, and suspicious areas of the mouth can be more fully investigated and examined.
When it comes to oral health, Dr. Pedvis is committed to a preventive approach, along with early diagnosis. In the case of oral cancer, the survival rate with early detection is meaningful. On the down side, however, many cases of oral cancer are discovered late. VELscope® provides an extra measure of early detection, giving dentists and hygienists an additional diagnostic tool which will benefit the patient. Importantly, the device is only step one in the process.
While biopsy is considered to be the gold standard in diagnosing oral cancer, VELscope® plays an integral role in detection and diagnosis. After all, with any health concern, it’s better to be safe than sorry. The truth is, early detection, especially with conditions like oral cancer, is the key to treatment success and survival.
