Advanced Oral Cancer Screening & Pathology Services in Edmonton
Taking care of your mouth is about more than just teeth, it’s about your overall oral health. At Gallery Dental in Edmonton, we offer advanced screenings to check for oral cancer and other problems. We use special VELscope technology to spot issues early, when they’re easiest to treat.
Gallery Dental
Early Oral Cancer Detection Saves Lives
Oral pathology simply means diagnosing and checking for diseases that can affect your mouth, jaw, and surrounding areas. Gallery Dental specializes in oral cancer screening and finding tiny growths or changes (oral lesions) before they become serious. When we find these issues early, the treatment works much better, is less invasive, and has a much higher chance of success.
Dr. Sekhon includes a special oral cancer screening during every regular check-up at our Edmonton dental office. Our thorough method uses a simple look and touch, plus our amazing VELscope technology, to find suspicious spots and changes you can’t even see normally. Getting these regular oral pathology screenings is so important—it catches problems when they are small and easy to manage.
We believe truly great oral health covers everything, not just cosmetic fixes. Your oral cancer screening protects your overall health. We welcome patients throughout Edmonton for thorough assessments built right into your regular visit. Whether you’re due for screening or are worried about a spot in your mouth, our experienced team provides caring evaluations and peace of mind.
Advanced Oral Cancer Detection & Evaluation
Gallery Dental uses a few different techniques to find signs of oral pathology at the very first stage possible. Our thorough screening checks all your mouth tissues for signs of abnormal changes.
Our Thorough Check-Up Process
Dr. Sekhon does a detailed visual and physical check of all your mouth parts at every visit. This includes your lips, tongue, throat, and even the lymph nodes in your neck. We are looking for any patches, lumps, or sores that haven’t healed after two weeks. This complete clinical check is the foundation of your oral pathology screening and guides any future steps.
VELscope Advanced Detection Technology
VELscope technology is a major advancement in oral cancer detection! It uses a special blue light that helps us see changes in your mouth tissues that are invisible to the naked eye. This screening is totally painless and takes just minutes. It dramatically improves our ability to find precancerous changes so treatment can start right away.
Recognizing Oral Cancer Warning Signs
Being aware of risk factors and warning signs helps us catch oral cancer early. Risk factors include using tobacco, heavy drinking, or having HPV. Warning signs include having a mouth sore, or red or white patch, that stays longer than two weeks. If you notice any change in your mouth that doesn’t go away, please call us to schedule an evaluation.
What If We Find Something Abnormal?
If Dr. Sekhon finds a suspicious spot (oral lesion) during your screening, he may recommend watching the area or taking a tiny tissue sample (a biopsy) for testing. Many changes in the mouth turn out to be harmless, but thorough testing ensures we get an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment plan if needed.
Preventing Oral Cancer & Follow-Ups
You can greatly reduce your risk of oral cancer! Key prevention steps include avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, protecting your lips from the sun, and eating a healthy diet. If you’ve had previous oral lesions or have higher risk factors, Dr. Sekhon will create a personalized follow-up schedule just for you.
Regular Dental Check-Ups Could Save Your Life
Oral cancer affects thousands of Canadians annually, with survival rates dramatically higher when detected early. Unfortunately, many oral cancers remain undiagnosed until advanced stages when treatment becomes more complex and outcomes less favorable.
Why Early Detection Matters:
Better Results
When found early (Stage I), the success rate is 80–90%—a huge difference compared to later detection. Early detection often means less invasive treatment.
Peace of Mind
Knowing you’ve had a thorough oral pathology screening gives you confidence in your overall health.
Faster Healing
Smaller problems require smaller procedures, which means you heal faster and have less impact on your speaking or eating.
Identify Problems Faster
Gallery Dental is dedicated to comprehensive screening so we can identify potential problems at the best possible time for treatment.
How Often Should You Get Oral Cancer Screening?
Dr. Sekhon includes an oral cancer screening as part of your regular routine dental examination, which we typically recommend every six months for most patients. This schedule keeps a consistent eye on your mouth and helps with early detection.
You may need more frequent screenings if you:
- Use tobacco products or have history of tobacco use
- Consume alcohol regularly or heavily
- Have previous oral cancer or precancerous lesions
- Have family history of oral cancer
- Have weakened immune system or autoimmune conditions
- Are over age 45 (risk increases with age)
- Have HPV infection
Dr. Sekhon develops personalized screening schedules based on your individual risk factors and oral health history.
Common Questions About Oral Cancer Screening
Does oral cancer screening hurt?
No, oral cancer screening is completely painless and non-invasive! Dr. Sekhon just performs a visual check and uses the VELscope technology, which involves shining a specialized light in your mouth. The whole process takes just a couple of minutes during your regular appointment.
What happens if something abnormal is found?
If Dr. Sekhon sees a suspicious spot, he will talk to you about the next steps. This might mean watching the area or taking a tiny sample for testing. Many changes turn out to be harmless, but we always follow up to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Is oral cancer screening covered by insurance?
Yes, oral cancer screening is usually part of your comprehensive dental examination and is covered by most dental insurance plans. Gallery Dental handles the insurance paperwork for you. We can also provide cost information during your visit.
Can oral cancer be prevented?
While we can’t prevent every case, you can greatly reduce your risk! The best steps are avoiding tobacco, drinking less alcohol, protecting your lips from the sun, and coming in for regular screenings for early detection.
Comprehensive General Dentistry in Edmonton
Gallery Dental offers complete general dentistry services that go beyond just preventive care. Our Edmonton dental office also provides preventive care, modern dental fillings, simple tooth extractions, wisdom teeth removal, and cosmetic dentistry. For the rare case that needs a specialist, we’ll quickly arrange a referral to someone we trust.
Dental Fillings
Preventative Care
Cosmetic Dentistry
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Protect Yourself. Book a Check-Up With Screening Today!
Early detection saves lives. Gallery Dental provides advanced oral cancer screening with every dental examination in Edmonton. VELscope technology helps us find even the smallest issues early. Don’t wait—schedule your comprehensive screening today! Dr. Sekhon takes great care of every patient. New patients are welcome!
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