Oral Cancer Screening in Danville, CA | ViziLite & Early Detection

ViziLite Enhanced Screening — For Suspicious Findings and High-Risk Patients

When Dr. Kriston identifies a suspicious lesion during the visual exam, or for patients with elevated risk factors, he recommends an enhanced screening with ViziLite — a light-based technology that can reveal abnormal tissue invisible to the naked eye.

The ViziLite process takes less than two minutes and is completely painless:

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You swish and spit a mild acetic acid (vinegar-based) rinse for 30 to 60 seconds. This temporarily prepares the oral tissues, making cellular abnormalities more visible.
The overhead lights are dimmed, and Dr. Kriston passes the ViziLite device — which emits a specific low-energy wavelength of light — over all the soft tissues of the mouth.
Healthy tissue absorbs the light and appears dark. Abnormal tissue — cells with changes in their nuclear structure — reflects the light, appearing bright white or glowing. This creates a stark visual contrast that makes even early-stage abnormalities detectable.
If a suspicious area is identified, Dr. Kriston may apply a non-toxic marking dye (TBlue toluidine blue) to the lesion. This dye stains mutated tissue, making it easier to evaluate under normal light and to identify precise margins for biopsy if needed.

Dr. Kriston recommends annual ViziLite screening for patients with high risk factors: regular tobacco users (smokers, vapers, and chewers), heavy alcohol consumers, patients with a family history of oral cancer, and those with a personal history of HPV.

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Why What You See on the Surface is the Whole Point

Oral cancer doesn't appear without warning. In most cases, it progresses through visible pre-cancerous changes — white patches called leukoplakia, red patches called erythroplakia, or both — before it becomes cancer. These changes represent dysplasia: abnormal cells that haven't yet invaded through the basement membrane, the barrier separating surface tissue from deeper structures.

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This is the window screening is designed to catch.

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Once dysplastic cells breach the basement membrane, the lesion becomes invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma. At that point, tumors under 2 centimeters with shallow depth are classified as early-stage, while tumors up to 4 centimeters with greater depth require more aggressive treatment. Beyond 4 millimeters of invasion, surgeons often recommend neck dissection due to increased risk of lymph node involvement.

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Screening with ViziLite and a thorough visual exam can detect mucosal changes before they cross that basement membrane — while the condition is still pre-cancerous and far more treatable. Waiting until a lesion is painful or symptomatic usually means it has already become invasive.

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This is why Dr. Kriston screens at every visit. Catching it early changes everything

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

While anyone can develop oral cancer — over 25% of oral cancer patients have no known risk factors — certain factors significantly increase the risk:

Tobacco Use

Tobacco is the single most important preventable risk factor for oral cancer, linked to 75% to 90% of all cases. This includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco (snuff and chewing tobacco). Users of smokeless tobacco can be up to 50 times more likely to develop oral cancers than non-users.

Vaping. This is a more recent concern that Dr. Kriston is seeing increasingly in his practice. While the long-term data on vaping and oral cancer is still developing, studies are now showing that vaping, like smoking, presents a risk to oral health — including concerns about its impact on dental implant integration with bone. Dr. Kriston discusses vaping risks with patients as part of the oral cancer screening conversation.

Alcohol Consumption

Heavy drinkers are approximately 6 times more likely to be diagnosed with oral cancer. The risk multiplies dramatically when combined with tobacco use — the synergistic effect of tobacco and heavy alcohol use can increase the risk by 30 times compared to those who use neither.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

The HPV-16 strain is a major risk factor for oropharyngeal cancers — cancers of the back of the throat, tonsils, and base of the tongue. This is particularly significant because HPV-related oral cancers are increasingly being diagnosed in younger, non-smoking patients. The traditional profile of an oral cancer patient (older male, heavy smoker and drinker) is shifting, and HPV is a major reason why.

Dr. Kriston makes patients aware of the HPV connection to oral cancer as part of the screening conversation.

Sun Exposure

Prolonged UV exposure is a primary cause of lip cancer. Dr. Kriston particularly mentions sun exposure as a risk factor during summer months and has noticed an increase in older, fair-skinned patients having cancers of the face removed — a reminder that the lips and face are vulnerable to the same UV damage as the rest of the skin.

Other Risk Factors

Age — risk increases significantly after 40, with the average age of diagnosis around 62
Gender — men are roughly twice as likely as women to develop oral cancer
Personal history of oral cancer — high risk of developing a second primary cancer
Family history of oral cancer
Diet low in fruits and vegetables — which provide protective antioxidants

Importantly, over 25% of oral cancer patients have no known risk factors. They don’t smoke, they don’t drink heavily, and they have no family history. This is why regular professional screening is essential for everyone — not just high-risk patients.

Woman in brown activewear seated cross-legged on a yoga mat with arms raised above her head in a bright room near a large window.

By far the best dentist I’ve had! Extremely thoughtful in his work, taking time to explain the reasoning behind decisions and will even show you the details of what is going on with your teeth through a micro camera. I had a few significant issues with my teeth, and Michael was the first of four dentists I had seen to provide a thoughtful long term solution in the least invasive way possible. He is truly concerned with the health and function of your teeth and gums, and is extremely skilled to implement great solutions. Would highly recommend.

Woman in beige workout attire doing a low lunge yoga pose on a mat in a sunlit room with wooden floors and large windows.

I had my first visit with Dr. Kriston and had the best experience in a dental office, by far. I was looking for a dentist to revamp my smile and a friend recommended Dr. Kriston. Dr. Kriston spent a lot of time listening to my vision and together we came up with a plan for my smile that I'm very happy with. Everyone in the office was friendly, helpful and welcoming. My bar was set high and Dr. Kriston went well above it with his knowledge, recommendations and real understanding of my situation.

Woman practicing yoga on a mat in a sunlit studio, using a yoga block for support during a side stretch.

The office is beautiful, modern and spotless. They have relaxing music playing throughout that right away made me feel calm. The front receptionist is very attentive and supportive; she answered all my questions and clearly explained the cost and my insurance. I qualified for an interest free payment plan and was able to afford my dream smile.

Woman in rust-colored workout clothes performing a yoga warrior pose on a mat in a bright, minimalist room.

I just had to write this review because I'm so happy I found Dr. Kriston. I've been self conscious about my teeth for years and I just couldn't find a dentist I felt this good about. I highly recommend Dr. Kriston.

Jessica Lee

Clean, professional, and easy to use. Velora gave my agency the polished online presence it needed."

Jessica Lee

Clean, professional, and easy to use. Velora gave my agency the polished online presence it needed."

Jessica Lee

Clean, professional, and easy to use. Velora gave my agency the polished online presence it needed."

Jessica Lee

Clean, professional, and easy to use. Velora gave my agency the polished online presence it needed."

Oral Cancer Screening
in Danville, CA

Early Detection Changes Everything

Our Screening Process

Visual Exam and Palpation — At Every Check-Up

ViziLite Enhanced Screening — For Suspicious Findings and High-Risk Patients

When We Find Something Suspicious

The Two-Week Rule

Biopsy

3D CBCT Imaging

Why What You See on the Surface is the Whole Point

Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

What You Should Watch For at Home

How Often Should You Be Screened?

Schedule Your Oral Cancer Screening