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VELscope®

 


VELscope® is a revolutionary hand-held device that provides dentists and hygienists with an easy-to-use soft tissue examination system for the early detection of abnormal tissue and oral cancer. The patented VELscope® technology platform was developed in collaboration with the British Columbia Cancer Agency and MD Anderson Cancer Center, with funding provided in part by the NIH. It is based on the direct visualization of tissue fluorescence and the changes in fluorescence that occur when abnormalities are present.

The VELscope® handpiece emits a safe blue light into the oral cavity, which excites the tissue from the surface of the epithelium (top layer) through to the basement membrane (where premalignant changes typically begin) and into the stroma beneath, causing it to fluoresce. Typically, healthy tissue appears as a bright apple-green glow, while suspicious regions are identified by a loss of fluorescence, which thus appear dark.
 Dr. Alfe is then able to view the different fluorescence responses to help differentiate between normal and abnormal tissue. In fact, VELscope® is the only non-invasive adjunctive device clinically proven to help discover occult oral disease.

Dr. Alfe was one of the first American dentists to incorporate VELscope® into her oral cancer exams in 2008 and has performed hundreds of VELscope® exams to date.

Only 6000 practitioners world wide are trained in the use of VELscope® during their oral cancer exams. Dr. Alfe appeared on Fox Chicago Morning News in October, 2010 to discuss the importance of oral cancer screenings and use of VELscope®. In 2010, Dr. Alfe was hired by VELscope® to train other dentists on how to use VELscope® during their oral cancer exams.

When used as an adjunctive aid in combination with traditional oral cancer examination procedures, VELscope® facilitates the early discovery and visualization of mucosal abnormalities, including oral VELscopecancer. In one or two minutes, with no rinses or stains required, a VELscope® system examination helps Dr. Alfe assess her patients’ oral health. Through the CDT code D0431, an increasing number of insurance companies are recognizing VELscope® as an adjunctive screening device. VELscope® combines minimal per-patient costs with more effective screening.

If found early, oral cancer’s five-year survival rate is 80-85%. Overall, however, oral cancer’s five year survival rate is approximately 60%. Routine use of the VELscope® system helps Dr. Alfe find oral pre-cancer and cancer in its early, localized stage, often before the patient is aware there’s a problem and even before the lesion is visible under white light.

In August 2010, a 620 patient study at the University of Washington highlighted an aspect of VELscope® that is sometimes overlooked. In addition to the detection of oral cancers and pre-cancers, the VELscope® system is showing itself to be a powerful tool in the discovery of mucosal abnormalities such as:

  • Viral, fungal and bacterial infections
  • Inflammation from a variety of causes (including lichen planus and other lichenoid reactions)
  • Squamous papillomas
  • Salivary gland tumors

The appropriate treatment of mucosal abnormalities can enhance care and add to your quality of life and maybe even save your life. Call or email Chicago Smile Spa today for more information and to schedule your VELscope® oral cancer screening exam.