Dental Technician

The job description for dental technicians includes constructing various appliances such as removable and fixed prosthesis including dentures, bridges, crowns, retention plate’s, post orthodontic braces removal, etc. They generally work directly with the dentist by following detailed written instructions from the dentist or the orthodontist. They use molds as a replica of teeth for construction of crowns, bridges, or false teeth. For creating these prostheses, dental technicians work with different materials like wax, stainless steel, porcelain, as well as with gold and other metals. Nowadays, there is growing popularity for dental technicians to construct prosthesis which are metal free and aesthetic. They require qualities similar to that of a carver, as most of their work involves carving and shaping with tools like drills, presses, lathes, and high heat furnaces for creating each prosthetic device. So basically, the job includes making:

Full and partial dentures for patients who are missing all or some of their teeth

Crowns to restore root canal treated teeth

Veneers to enhance aesthetics and functions

Various orthodontic treatment appliances and splints, to help straighten and protect teeth

Salary: $61,000

Education:

Dental laboratory technicians may receive their education and training through a two-year program at a community college, vocational school, technical college, university or dental school. Graduates of these programs receive either an associate degree or a certificate. There also are a few programs that offer a four-year baccalaureate program in dental technology. In most cases, an interested individual needs a high school diploma or its equivalent to apply to an accredited dental laboratory technology program. Contact the dental technology program of interest to you for specific requirements.