DenMat’s VELscope Vx®
Blue-spectrum light helps clinicians screen for oral abnormalities, including cancer, for a more thorough assessment
Because patients often visit dentists more frequently than physicians, general practitioners are in a unique position to detect suspicious lesions and other oral abnormalities during regular recall visits. The widespread implementation of standard head and neck examinations using white light and palpation has prompted countless patients to pursue needed, and sometimes lifesaving, medical treatment. In recent years, technology has become available that enables dentists to offer their patients an even more thorough assessment designed to detect oral pathologies—including cancer—earlier, during more treatable stages.
Advanced Detection Technology
DenMat’s VELscope Vx® uses advanced technology to discover abnormalities in the oral mucosa before they can be seen under ordinary white light conditions. VELscope Vx illuminates the oral cavity with a bright blue-spectrum light that brings out soft tissues’ natural fluorescence. Healthy tissues fluoresce in distinctive patterns that are changed by disease or trauma. Because this natural fluorescence is not as bright as the excitation light reflected from the tissue, it is directly visualized through the VELscope handpiece, which blocks reflected light and optimizes contrast with filters located along the viewing path.
The VELscope Vx is a compact, cordless, noninvasive device that is approved to help clinicians detect cancerous and precancerous lesions and other disease that might not be apparent to the naked eye. It also helps specialists determine appropriate surgical margins. In clinical trials, the VELscope Vx has already demonstrated its important role in the fight to reduce oral cancer mortality.
The VELscope system can be used as part of a thorough oral assessment process to inspect oral mucosa for an abnormal fluorescence response. Given that the implementation protocol for this potentially life-saving assessment involves no pain and is easily completed in only 1 to 2 minutes, it is understandably well accepted by both staff and patients.
Clinical Convenience and Efficiency
VELscope is battery-operated and rechargeable, although it can be corded when needed. It is completely noninvasive, with no rinses or dyes needed for its operation, and it is compatible with standard digital cameras for photo documentation. VELscope Vx is priced to enable practitioners with multiple operatories to affordably offer their patients screening for clinically nonapparent lesions during regular recall visits.
It is recommended that clinicians utilizing fluorescence devices familiarize themselves with the normal appearance and patterns of oral cavity fluorescence to be better prepared to recognize abnormal patterns when they present. DenMat offers live and recorded training—for which continuing education credit may be available—on proper visualization and interpretation as well as clinical implementation in practices of all sizes. For a full schedule of live seminars for the entire dental team, visit www.denmat.com.
VELscope Vx is a state-of-the-art assessment tool for discovering oral health problems, including oral cancer. Used in conjunction with conventional intra- and extra-oral exams, VELscope Vx provides visual information that cannot be acquired in any other way and helps discover problems that may not be apparent to the naked eye. Its routine use by general practice dentists can significantly aid efforts in support of both oral and systemic health.
for more information, contact:
DenMat
Phone: 800-445-0345
Web: www.denmat.com
Disclaimer
The preceding material was provided by the manufacturer. The statements and opinions contained therein are solely those of the manufacturer and not of the editors, publisher, or the Editorial Board of Inside Dentistry.
