8/2/2019 The next big thing? Velscope VX

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A

recent survey carried out by the Mouth

Cancer Foundation showed that nineout of 10 (88%) dental patients would

like to be checked for oral cancer.

An Enhanced Oral Health Assessment can

fully complement a dentists existing provision

of oral care, whilst oering new and existing

patients the opportunity to gain a greater

degree of autonomy in their health choices.

Promoting yourself as a progressive, dynamic

practice oering the latest technologies, and

gaining the peace of mind that comes from

oering your patients a complete package of

oral healthcare, has many distinct advantages.

ORAL HEALTH

Increased awareness amongst patients has

had a dramatic impact on the way that they

perceive their oral health and the signicance

it plays in their quality of life, condence and

wellbeing.

Many patients do not fully comprehend

the links between their oral health and their

general health, as well as the eects that

conditions such as gingivitis, periodontitis,

halitosis and stomatitis can have on systemic

health issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular

disease, strokes and oral cancer. A recent

study has shown that patients with chronicperiodontitis, leading to bone loss, are up to

ve times more susceptible to cancer of the

tongue.

Reports suggest there is an increased uptake

in healthcare technologies, particularly in

the areas of disease prevention. By oering

an Enhanced Oral Health Assessment, the

clinical team can now utilise eective, quick

and non-invasive technologies to provide a

comprehensive package of care to all their

patients.

SEE INTO THE FUTURE

VELscope Vx is a revolutionary handheld device

that provides dentists and hygienists with an

easy-to-use mucosal examination system for

the early detection of abnormal tissue, pre-

malignant dysplasia and even oral cancer.

Te patented VELscope technology is based

on the direct visualisation of tissue uorescence

and the changes in uorescence that occur whenabnormalities are present. An optional digital

camera allows you to photograph suspected

abnormalities for further or secondary

examination, whilst oering the added benet of

digital documentation.

Te VELscope Vx handpiece emits a safe blue

light into the oral cavity, which excites the tissue

from the surface of the epithelium through to

the basement membrane and into the stroma

beneath, causing it to uoresce. Te clinician

is then able to view the dierent uorescence

responses immediately to help dierentiate

between normal and abnormal tissue. In

fact, VELscope Vx is the only non-invasive

adjunctive device clinically proven to helpdiscover occult oral disease. ypically, healthy

tissue appears as a bright apple-green glow while

suspicious regions are identied by a loss of

uorescence, which thus appear dark.

As well as improved oral healthcare

for patients by the early discovery of any

abnormalities, the Velscope Vx can also detect

other forms of oral disease including bacterial,

viral and fungal infections, inammation and

lichen planus and therefore oers an advanced

addition to the PerioPruv natural diagnosis

system (see Te next big thing?, PPD, October

2011).

Tis is a rapid salivary diagnosis test for

periodontal infection and oers a simple

solution to identify and prove active

periodontitis as well as the potential risk of

periodontitis. Importantly, this innovative test

procedure can be used to motivate patients to

maintain healthy oral hygiene.

PerioPruv can also identify active infection

before there is clinical evidence of periodontal

disease. It is the worlds rst Point of Care test

of its type that can give results in roughly 10

minutes.

Performing Enhanced Oral Health

Assessments as an adjunct to current protocolsincreases patient condence, their perception

of quality of care and ultimately can result in

immeasurable benets for their overall health.

VELscope Vx is part of Optidents Enhanced Oral Health Assessment package

that aims to promote early detection of oral disease and increase awareness

PPDINNOvATIONS

Out o 620 patients screened, 28 lesions and fve

dysplasias were undiscovered with the naked eye;

VELscope didnt miss any.

Edmond L Truelove et al, General Dentistry,

July/August 2011, 281-289

www.velscope.com

To ask a question or comment on this article please send

an email to: comments@ppdentistry.com

ppd

36March 2012 PPD

To order the VELscope Vx and PerioPruv or or urther

inormation, please call Optident on 01943 605050

or email s ales@optident.co.uk

THE NExT bIg THINg?

VELOPE V

Healthy tissue appears bright and suspicious regions show a loss ouorescence

36, PPDMAR-INNOVATIONS-TNBT.indd 35 22/02/2012 15:39