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Browse all of the tabs below for info about Dental Laboratory Technicians:
Dental Laboratory Technicians
Dental laboratory technicians, also known as dental technicians, use dentists' prescriptions to make items such as bridges, crowns, dentures and other types of dental prosthetics. Dental laboratory technicians may specialize in one of five areas including complete dentures, partial dentures, orthodontic appliances, crowns and bridges, and ceramics.
Dentists send dental technicians an impression or mold of the patient's teeth or mouth. Due to new technology, they may receive a digital impression instead of a physical mold.
The dental laboratory technician pours plaster into the impression and allows it to set. They put the model on an apparatus that mimics the bite and the movement of the patient's jaw. The model serves as the basis for the patient's prosthetic device.
Based on their observations of the model and the dentist's specifications, dental laboratory techs build and shape a wax tooth or teeth model using hand instruments. The wax model they created is utilized to cast the metal framework for the prosthetic device.
After they have created the wax tooth, dental techs perform several tasks to prepare the tooth for the porcelain furnace. The furnace is used to bake the porcelain onto the metal framework. To complete the project, they usually adjust the color and shape with grinding and additional porcelain.
In some dental laboratories a dental technician performs every stage of the procedure, whereas in some laboratories each technician performs just a few of the procedures.
Some of the common job titles are dental ceramist, dental technician, denture technician, porcelain technician, partial design and survey technician, and crown and bridge dental lab technician.
Dental Laboratory Technicians Responsibilities
Most dental laboratory technicians work forty hours per week. They typically have their own workbenches. Laboratory techs should have good manual dexterity and good vision. They need to be able to recognize very fine color shadings and variations in shape.
Employment Outlook
The employment growth of dental laboratory technicians is forecasted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to grow by 14 percent from 2008 to 2018 which is faster than average for all occupations. The growing senior citizen population will need more dental products which increases the demand for dental technicians. However, job growth may be limited due to the productivity gains provided by technological advancements in laboratories. In addition, the median annual earnings for dental laboratory technicians in 2008 was $34,170.
Dental Laboratory Technicians Education, Certification, and Licensing
Most dental laboratory techs learn their craft through on-the-job training. High school students that are interested in the occupation should take science and mathematics courses. Other beneficial classes include metal and wood shop, drafting, art and computers.
A number of vocational schools, community colleges and universities provide training in dental laboratory technology. The Commission on Dental Accreditation in conjunction with the American Dental Association provide accreditation for a number of dental laboratory technology programs. Accredited programs usually take two years to finish, however a few programs may take up to four years to complete. Accreditation is offered in the areas of complete dentures, partial dentures, crowns and bridges, orthodontic appliances and ceramics.
In a few states, a dental laboratory is required to employ at least one certified dental technician. The certification is administered by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology. To receive certification candidates need to meet educational requirements and pass one practical exam and two written exams. The educational requirement can be fulfilled by graduating from a dental technology program or by gaining at least five years of experience as a dental laboratory technician.
Dental technicians that just perform specific tasks in a laboratory may take a written and practical exam in modules of dental technology. By passing the exams they receive a Certificate of Competency in a particular skill set.
Resources for Dental Laboratory Technicians
Major Employers of Dental Laboratory Technicians
The top employers are medical equipment and supplies manufacturing companies and dentist offices.
The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Dental Laboratory Technicians by major metro area.
The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Dental Laboratory Technicians, along with salary data by industry.
The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.
We have some additional detailed pages at the state level for Dental Laboratory Technicians. These pages include maps focused on the particular state, among other details.
Numbers in parentheses are counts of relevant campus-based schools in the state; online schools may also be available.
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