Oral cancer screening is crucial for detecting cancerous and precancerous tumours in the oral cavity, face, and neck. The VELscope® is a diagnostic tool that helps identify abnormal tissue that could indicate the onset of oral cancer.
Timely detection, diagnosis, and treatment are critical for the successful treatment of oral cancer. When left undetected, it can spread to other parts of the face and cause speech issues and difficulties in swallowing. Oral cancer can also cause facial disfigurement and, in severe cases, death.
Please call our trained dentists near you to learn more about VELscope® in Summerland, BC.
What Is Oral Cancer?
While a cancer diagnosis often results in anxiety, an early diagnosis can prove crucial to a positive outcome. Oral cancer can include one or more cancers of the tongue, lips, gums, soft and hard palate, back of the oral cavity, throat, and sinuses. It’s important to treat oral cancer as soon as possible, as it may become dangerous if left undetected.
Some common symptoms of oral cancer could include one or more of the following:
- Persistent mouth sores that don’t heal
- White or red patches in the mouth
- Loose teeth
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Difficulty in moving the tongue
Our experienced team of dentists in Summerland, BC, uses equipment like the VELscope®️ to identify abnormal tissue by highlighting it with fluorescent light. The oral cancer screening process is pain-free, non-invasive, and quick.
How Using the VELscope® Can Help
Summerland Dental Centre uses oral assessment equipment like the VELscope®️ to assist with oral cancer detection. This device uses fluorescence technology with a white light to help reveal abnormalities before they become physically visible to the naked eye.
The VELscope® is an extremely valuable tool that is often the first line of defense in oral cancer detection. However, while it detects abnormal tissue, it cannot differentiate between cancerous and non-cancerous tissue. If our highly skilled dentists find anything suspicious, we will send the sample for a biopsy.
To receive more information or book an oral cancer screening appointment, please contact Summerland Dental Centre today.
