Nearly 50,000 adults will be diagnosed with oral and /or oropharyngeal cancer this year. The risk of oral cancer increases in patients who are above the age of 40, patients who consume alcohol, people who smoke or chew tobacco, patients with personal or family histories of cancers, and people who commonly get cold sores. This puts many individuals at risk. However, anyone can develop oral cancer at any stage of life. The cure rate is high with early detection. In keeping with our commitment to the highest form of oral health care, the doctors at Patel and Dornhecker Dental Wellness Center offer oral cancer screenings at their office in the Fairfield area.
Painless process
Our doctors begin with a visual examination of your head, neck, and mouth. They check for growths, irritations, or white patches called leukoplakia.
Then, ViziLite technology provides a deeper level of scrutiny. The test is fast and painless, yet reveals tissue abnormalities that may not be visible to the human eye.
The process is simple:
- No anesthetic is needed.
- Your mouth is rinsed with a cleansing solution.
- The overhead light is dimmed.
- The dentist uses the ViziLite device to illuminate one area of the mouth at a time.
- As the dentist passes the light over oral tissues, healthy tissues appear dark, and problem areas look white.
It is important to remember that ViziLite exposes abnormal tissues, both benign (such as a harmless cheek bite) and potentially serious cancers or precancers. If your oral cancer screening reveals abnormal tissue, the dentist may recommend a biopsy for further evaluation. This can be performed at the dental office or by your physician.
Make it part of your hygiene routine.
We recommend adding this simple screening to your regular check-ups. If you are in a high-risk group for oral cancer or have any cause for concern between check-ups, we can perform the screening at any time.
New patients are welcome. Call (513) 815-3166 for an appointment in Fairfield.
