Prevention is better than cure. We believe in early measures to detect suspicious lesions and Our practice continuously looks for advances to ensure that we are providing the optimum level of oral health care to our patients. We are concerned about oral cancer and look for it in every patient
One American dies every hour from oral cancer. Late detection of oral cancer is the primary cause that both the incidence and mortality rates of oral cancer continue to increase. As with most cancers, age is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. Tobacco and alcohol use are other major predisposing risk factors but more than 25% of oral cancer victims have no such lifestyle risk factors.
Studies also suggest that human papilloma virus (HPV) plays a role in more than 20% of oral cancer causes.
Oral cancer risks by patient profile are as follows:
We have recently incorporated Sapphire Plus Lesion Detection into our oral screening standard of care. We find that using Sapphire Plus Lesion Detection along with a standard oral cancer examination improves the ability to identify suspicious areas at their earliest stages. Sapphire Plus Lesion Detection, along with the doctor's visual exam, is similar to other proven early cancer detection procedures, such as mammogram, Pap smear, and PSA test Sapphire Plus Lesion Detection is a simple and painless examination that gives the best chance to find any abnormalities at the earliest possible stage.
Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue or suspicious tissues can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiguring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life. The Sapphire Plus Lesion Detection exam will be recommended and offered to you at each oral hygiene and checkup visit (Recommended biannually)
This enhanced examination is recognized by the American Dental Association code revision committee as CDT-2007/08 procedure code D0431; however, this exam may or may not be covered by your insurance. There is a nominal fee for this enhanced examination is $69.99.