ViziLite Oral Cancer Prevention

Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Boca Raton, Palm Beach

Fort Lauderdale 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 a system for identifying and marking an oral lesion. It uses a luminescent light 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, or cancer of the brain, kidney, liver, testes, or ovaries.
  • Oral cancer is too often found in late stages, and treatment at that point can result in disfiguring effects and a compromised quality of life.
  • When oral cancer is found in its early stages, the survival rate is 90 percent. However 70% of oral cancers are found in later stages, and in these cases, the five year survival rate is only 57 percent.

Risk Profiles

  • Highest Risk – People aged 40 years or older who use tobacco or have a history of oral cancer.
  • High Risk – People 40 years old and anyone who uses tobacco.
  • Increased Risk – People 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. Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer surgery 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 stage.

  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 he finds any abnormalities, he will mark them with a blue dye and then take an intra-oral photograph. He will use this data 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. It 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, please contact Dr. Thomas O’Neil in Fort Lauderdale, and let us keep your mouth healthy and smiling.

Miami Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. O'Neil and Associates

7707 N. University Dr., Suite 201
Tamarac, FL 33321

Call Dr. O’Neil at 800-458-9140 or fill out an online contact form so we can get in touch with you.