Oral cancer screenings are a very important part of the dental visit for the patient. With the advances in modern technology, we are now able to pinpoint the start of a potential problem much earlier in its evolution. The ability to do so is extremely important in being able to treat any issues prior to them becoming a major irreversible problem.
The oral cancer screening is often completed with an ultraviolet light or similar device that allows us to view issues that can't always be detected by the human eye under normal conditions.
Certain lifestyle choices can have a great impact on the health of tissues and your overall health in the mouth. If you are a smoker or heavy drinker, make sure to get regular screenings when you visit the dentist.
In our office, we use OralID for oral cancer screenings. Read more about OralID below:
OralID – Oral Cancer Screening
The Science – OralID is an adjunctive screening device that uses fluorescence technology to help clinicians identify oral abnormalities. Tissue fluorescence has been used to identify abnormal lesions, including cancer and pre-cancer that may not be apparent to the naked eye. Fluorescence technology has been used in the medical field for many years, and in the dental field it has successfully screened more than 25 million patients in the past decade. “This technology [auto fluorescence] has identified dysplastic; even micro invasive lesions that were completely 'normal' looking with visible light, even to the suspicious eve of an oral pathologist.” Similar to other cancers, early detection of Oral Cancer is critical. Studies have shown that early detection of oral cancer with technologies like the OralID dramatically improves the survivability of the disease. If oral cancer is detected in its later stages, which typically occurs during a conventional oral cancer exam, the chances of survival are dramatically reduced.
Our office strives to bring its patients state-of-the-art technology to provide you with the latest advancements in oral health. Dr Le recently introduced the OralID screening device into our office. The OralID examination will allow us to visualize any oral mucosal abnormalities including cancer and dysplasia (pre-cancer) before they can be detected with the naked eye. The procedure is quick, painless and no rinsed or dyes are used. Oral cancer kills one American every hour. Dr. Le and his highly trained hygiene department have found this new technology very effective. Visual exams are not. The goal is not to find cancer but to find abnormalities before they progress into cancer. Shine the light save a life.