ViziLite Oral Cancer Prevention

Oral cancer prevention and treatment are quickly becoming a leading health concern, so seeing your dentist is an important step in maintaining good overall health.  Early detection is key to successfully treating oral cancer, and Dr. Thomas O’Neil uses state-of-the-art technology called ViziLite to ensure that you receive the highest quality examination.
What is ViziLite?
ViziLite is an oral lesion identification and marking system which uses a luminescent light source to identify areas of concern and a blue dye to mark those areas. ViziLite is the only FDA approved device used to recognize and keep track of oral irregularities that might lead to cancer.
Oral Cancer Risks and Statistics

• One person dies every hour from oral cancer in the United States.
• More than a quarter of oral cancer victims have no lifestyle risk factors, such as tobacco or alcohol use.
• The death rate of oral cancer is higher than that of people with Hodgkin’s disease, cervical cancer, cancer of the brain, kidney, liver, testes, or ovaries.
• Oral cancer is too often found in late stages, and treatment of this type of cancer can result in disfiguring effects or compromising quality of life.
• When found in its early stages, the survival rate of oral cancer is 90%, however, 70% of oral cancers are found in later stages, the five year survival rate of which is only 57%.

Risk Profiles

• Highest Risk – Patients 40 years old or older who use tobacco or have a history of oral cancer.
• High Risk – Patients 40 years old and anyone who uses tobacco.
• Increased Risk – Patients 18 to 39 years old with no lifestyle risk factors.

Clinical studies have shown that using ViziLite after the standard oral cancer examination improves the chances of identifying, evaluating, and monitoring suspicious areas in their earliest stages. Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and even save your life.
The ViziLite Process
ViziLite is an easy and painless examination that gives Dr. O’Neil the best chance to find any oral abnormalities in your mouth at the earliest possible stages.

1. After your routine exam Dr. O’Neil will have you rinse with a solution for 30 seconds to one minute.
2. Dimming the light or using special eyewear, Dr. O’Neil will re-examine your mouth with the ViziLite light stick.
3. If any abnormalities are found, Dr. O’Neil will mark these with a blue dye and then take an intra-oral photograph which will be used to help determine the best course of action.

You should routinely undergo screening for oral cancer, especially if you fall within one of the risk profiles. With ViziLite, your chances of early detection and successful treatment are even better.
Note that the ViziLite exam is not part of the standard oral cancer examination and is performed for an additional fee and may not be covered by your insurance provider as part of a regular dental exam.
To find out more about your risk of oral cancer and how ViziLite can help, contact Dr. Thomas O’Neil in Fort Lauderdale, and let us keep your mouth healthy and smiling.