Q: What's your view of oral cancer screening products?
HiRes Rydon loupes by Orascoptic.A: I am a fan of anything that will help dentists diagnose dysplasia and oral cancer. One hundred new oral cancer cases are diagnosed per day in the U.S. Worldwide, the numbers are even worse. When found in the early stages, the survival rate is 80% to 90%. Unfortunately, when the cancer is discovered in the later stages -- which is most often the case -- there is a 50% death rate at five years.
I recommend a thorough visual examination with white light and magnification. I wear Orascoptic 5x surgical loupes, but any magnification of 2.5x or greater will work.
The VELscope Vx by LED Dental.
The Identafi 3000 by DentalEZ.Along with the visual exam, a physical exam should be conducted -- both intra- and extraorally. Then I use either the VELscope Vx (LED Dental) or DentalEZ's Identafi 3000. These devices do not make a diagnosis -- they are adjunctive tools that assist in the early detection of dysplasia in the mouth. Identifying these suspicious areas in the mouth allows for further examination. Then you must observe the area to see if the lesion resolves or should be subjected to a brush test, an incisional biopsy, or excisional biopsy.
The VELscope enhances the contrast between normal and abnormal tissue.The VELscope Vx is a less expensive, cordless model of the VELscope. The VELscope handpiece emits a safe blue light into the oral cavity that excites natural fluorophores from the surface of the epithelium through to the basement membrane (where premalignant changes typically begin) and into the stroma beneath, causing it to fluoresce. The VELscope's proprietary filter makes fluorescence visualization possible by blocking reflected blue light and enhancing the contrast between normal and abnormal tissue.
DentalEZ's Identafi 3000 uses three different wavelengths of light -- white, violet, and amber green -- to aid in identifying suspicious areas. You must wear special glasses with built-in light filters to use it.
An oral cancer exam should be part of every dental examination. The most important part of oral cancer detection is using your eyes to look.
Marty Jablow, DMD, lectures and consults extensively about integrating technologies into the modern dental practice (www.dentaltechnologycoach.com). If you've got a technology question for Dr. Jablow, send it to [email protected].
The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.
