Oral Cancer Screening

At Beautiful Westchester Smiles, we have a new screening tool that allows us to detect oral cancer earlier than ever before! This system allows the Dentist or Hygienist to visualize and identify oral mucosal abnormalities that may have otherwise been missed during a conventional oral cancer examination. It is the only medical device that the FDA has cleared for the identification of oral abnormalities in patients with an increased risk for oral cancer.

How Vizilite Plus Works
As with most serious diseases, early detection is the key to successful outcomes. Unfortunately, the problem with oral cancer is that approximately 70% of the time it is not visible to us until it has reached an advanced stage. ViziLite Plus technology assists us in seeing abnormal tissue in the mouth, before it is plainly obvious.

As ViziLite Plus passes over oral tissue that has been treated with the rinse solution, normal healthy tissue will absorb the light and appear dark, abnormal tissue will appear white. The purpose of using ViziLite Plus is to identify tissue changes at their earliest stage; once abnormal tissue has been identified it is up to your dental professional to determine what the appropriate next steps are.

Risk Factors
Oral cancer risk by patient profile is listed below:

Increased Risk:
Patients age 18-39 with no lifestyle risk factors

High Risk:
Patients age 40 and older with no lifestyle risk factors OR Patients age 18-39 with lifestyle risk factors

Highest Risk:
Patients with HPV, patients age 40 and older with lifestyle risk factors, or patients with a history of oral cancer

Risk Factors:
Lifestyle risk factors for oral cancer include:
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV 16/18)
- Tobacco use (any type, any age, within 10 years)
- Alcohol consumption of at least 1 drink per day (3 ounces of hard liquor, 4 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer)
- Immune deficiencies such as HIV & AIDS

Who should have a ViziLite Plus exam?
More than 25% of oral cancers are discovered in patients with no lifestyle risk factors, which make this screening device important for everyone. We recommend this screen for people at high risk for oral cancer which includes people aged 40 and older with lifestyle risk factors (tobacco; chronic alcohol use) and people with a family history of oral cancer.

What is the cost?
We are offering an introductory rate for the ViziLite Plus screen. It is $50 unfourtuntaly most dental insurance are not covering this proactive expense. However, the tide is changing.