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PPDINNOvATIONS

THE NExT bIg THINg?


VELscope Vx is part of Optidents Enhanced Oral Health Assessment package that aims to promote early detection of oral disease and increase awareness
recent survey carried out by the Mouth Cancer Foundation showed that nine out 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 offering new and existing patients the opportunity to gain a greater degree of autonomy in their health choices. Promoting yourself as a progressive, dynamic practice offering the latest technologies, and gaining the peace of mind that comes from offering your patients a complete package of oral healthcare, has many distinct advantages.

VELscOPE Vx

Healthy tissue appears bright and suspicious regions show a loss of fluorescence in healthcare technologies, particularly in the areas of disease prevention. By offering an Enhanced Oral Health Assessment, the clinical team can now utilise effective, quick and non-invasive technologies to provide a comprehensive package of care to all their patients.

ORAL HEALTH
Increased awareness amongst patients has had a dramatic impact on the way that they perceive their oral health and the significance it plays in their quality of life, confidence and wellbeing. Many patients do not fully comprehend the links between their oral health and their general health, as well as the effects 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 chronic periodontitis, leading to bone loss, are up to five times more susceptible to cancer of the tongue. Reports suggest there is an increased uptake

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, premalignant dysplasia and even oral cancer. The patented VELscope technology is based on the direct visualisation of tissue fluorescence and the changes in fluorescence that occur when abnormalities are present. An optional digital camera allows you to photograph suspected abnormalities for further or secondary examination, whilst offering the added benefit of digital documentation. The 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 fluoresce. The clinician is then able to view the different fluorescence responses immediately to help differentiate between normal and abnormal tissue. In

fact, VELscope Vx is the only non-invasive adjunctive device clinically proven to help discover occult oral disease. Typically, healthy tissue appears as a bright apple-green glow while suspicious regions are identified by a loss of fluorescence, 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, inflammation and lichen planus and therefore offers an advanced addition to the PerioPruv natural diagnosis system (see The next big thing?, PPD, October 2011). This is a rapid salivary diagnosis test for periodontal infection and offers 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 first 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 protocols increases patient confidence, their perception of quality of care and ultimately can result in immeasurable benefits for their overall health.

Out of 620 patients screened, 28 lesions and five 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 order the VELscope Vx and PerioPruv or for further information, please call Optident on 01943 605050 or email sales@optident.co.uk

To ask a question or comment on this article please send an email to: comments@ppdentistry.com
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36 March 2012 PPD

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22/02/2012 15:39

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