Vizilite Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer is a major cause of death in the United States. Approximately one person every hour dies from oral cancer. This death rate has hardly changed in the last 40 years. The fact is that while many forms of cancer have decreased, the incidence of oral cancer has risen by more than 5% and the death rate has risen by 1.5% percent. These statistics are frightening to say the least. At Advanced Smile Designs in Santa Cruz County, California, Terry W. Forsberg, DDS and his team of dedicated professionals are determined to detect and cure as many cases of oral cancer in their patients as possible.

Oral cancer has a high survival rate if detected early, but unfortunately discovery often comes too late to prevent death in many cases. The treatment of late-stage oral cancer can often result in disfigurement and may seriously compromise the quality of life for sufferers. For these reasons, early detection and diagnosis is extremely important and is a major concern at Dr. Forsberg's practice.

Early detection and treatment of oral cancer dramatically increases the life expectancy of the patient. In fact, the rate of curable oral cancer when detected early is 90%. This is why at our dental practice we use Vizilite oral cancer screening.

What is Vizilite?

A Vizilite Plus oral exam is used to identify soft tissue abnormalities in the body. A special light technology design is used to examine your mouth for signs of the development of oral cancer. Vizilite is one of the most common exams used for dental patients who are at risk of developing oral cancer. The procedure is painless and very simple. It consists of the following steps:

• You will be asked to rinse with a cleaning solution
• Dr. Forsberg will dim the overhead lights
• Your mouth will be examined using Vizilite

The Cost of a Vizilite Exam

The American Dental Association (ADA) has established a specific code for patients who are having the Vizilite exam performed. In many cases, the dental or medical insurance your employer carries may also cover the cost of the exam.

An annual Vizilite exam along with regular dental exams is the best preventative measure you can take if you are at an increased risk for developing oral cancer. It just might save your life. To learn about Vizilite or any other dental procedures at Advanced Smile Designs in Santa Cruz County, California, please contact Terry W. Forsberg, DDS to schedule an appointment today.