Dental Laboratory Technician
A Dental Laboratory Technician specializes in fabricating and repairing dental devices essential for patients' oral health and aesthetics. Common products include crowns, dentures, braces, veneers, and orthodontic appliances, which are crafted based on prescriptions from dentists and orthodontists. This profession typically requires attention to detail, manual dexterity, and the ability to work independently. Dental laboratory technicians usually work in clean, well-ventilated labs with limited patient interaction, focusing on technical tasks that may involve exposure to materials and machinery.
To pursue this career, a high school diploma is generally the entry-level requirement, with on-the-job training offered to develop necessary skills. Although formal postsecondary education isn't mandatory, completing a training program can enhance job prospects and income potential. The median annual earnings for dental laboratory technicians are around $44,640, and the job outlook indicates little or no change in employment opportunities. The role requires a combination of technical skills, creativity, and a good sense of color to produce aesthetically pleasing dental products.
Dental Laboratory Technician
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science, Manufacturing
Interests: Working with your hands, paying attention to detail, working independently
Earnings (Yearly Median): $44,640 per year $21.46 per hour
Employment & Outlook: -1% (Little or no change)
Entry-Level Education High school diploma or equivalent
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job Training Moderate-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Dental laboratory technicians fabricate and repair the dental aids and devices that patients need for proper speaking, eating, jaw health, and reasons of appearance. These devices include full and partial dentures, crowns, braces, veneers, and orthodontic appliances such as palette expanders, retainers, and splints, which dentists and orthodontists then distribute and fit to their patients. Dental laboratory technicians may be generalists who work on all stages of fabrication and production, or they can specialize in a single production area.
Work Environment. Dental laboratory technicians spend their workdays in dental laboratories, which tend to be clean and well-ventilated. Contact with patients and the public is limited. Dental laboratory technicians generally work forty hours per week or more, performing tasks that often require them to stand for long periods and handle hot materials. They are at risk for exposure to fumes created by heating plastics and waxes and for injuries resulting from machine accidents.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the profession of dental laboratory technician tend to be intelligent and detail-oriented. The most successful dental laboratory technicians display traits such as good eyesight, hand-eye coordination, focus, manual dexterity, reliability, and effective time management. Dental laboratory technicians should enjoy working independently and have a good sense of color.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Dental laboratory technicians may work on one or more kinds of dental products. They may create full dentures for patients missing all their teeth, or partial dentures and bridges for those missing only a few. They make crowns to cover existing damaged teeth, dental veneers to change the appearance of teeth, or orthodontic appliances to reposition them. Dental laboratory technicians also fix dentures, crowns, braces, inlays, and retainers as needed.
The process of making dental products involves many steps. First, the dental laboratory technician reviews dental prescriptions, insurance authorizations, patient X-rays, dentists’ instructions, physical dental molds, and digital tooth impressions to determine what materials and equipment are needed to achieve the required specifications. They use dental molds and impressions to cast a plaster model of the patient’s mouth and shape wax teeth models using wax spatulas and carvers. These models, in turn, are used to cast the metal framework for the dental device, which the technician constructs by bending and soldering metal wire. Porcelain is applied to the metal framework in layers to create the appearance of human tooth enamel, and the fabricated tooth or teeth are then baked in a porcelain furnace to help the porcelain adhere to the frame underneath. When dental plastics are used, the technician cures the plastic in a heated dental oven.
Once a device has been fabricated, the dental laboratory technician adjusts the shape and color of the finished product by grinding, polishing, and tinting as needed. They must then inspect the quality, appearance, and prescription conformance of the finished dental product, using a dental articulator and micrometer to test the bite of the device. Depending on the size of the dental laboratory, one technician may complete some or all of these processes. In addition, all dental laboratory technicians are responsible for setting up, calibrating, and cleaning the laboratory equipment and materials on an ongoing basis.
Metal Dental Technicians. Metal Dental Technicians lay out designs of metal framework and clasps for partial dentures on plastic models.
Dental Ceramists. Dental Ceramists apply layers of porcelain paste or acrylic resins over metal framework to form crowns, bridges, and tooth facings.
Orthodontic Technicians. Orthodontic Technicians construct and repair appliances for straightening teeth according to an orthodontist’s prescription. They shape, carve, and assemble metal and plastic appliances, such as retainers, tooth bands, and positioners, using special equipment.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Most dental laboratory technicians work in bright, clean laboratory settings. These may be commercial laboratories, or they may be located in hospitals, dental offices, schools, or supply businesses.
Human Environment. Dental laboratory technicians have limited human interaction at work, but they should be comfortable meeting with laboratory staff and supervisors. Experienced dental laboratory technicians may be required to train and oversee newer technicians.
Technological Environment. Dental laboratory technicians use a wide variety of technology, materials, and equipment to do their work. Common materials include wax, plastic, porcelain, composite, plaster molds, and metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and stainless steel. Automated milling machinery, wax spatulas and carvers, casting machines, enamel furnaces, plastic-curing ovens, soldering tools, polishing machines, brushes, buffing wheels, lathes, micrometers, and dental articulators may all be used in creating and finishing dental products.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in becoming dental laboratory technicians should prepare themselves by taking courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy, mathematics, drafting, and computer science. They will also benefit from internships or part-time work opportunities that expose them to laboratory settings and procedures. Some may find employment as dental laboratory technicians directly following graduation.
Postsecondary. Formal postsecondary education is not required to become a dental laboratory technician; however, those who complete a formal training program may have more employment opportunities and receive greater compensation. The Commission on Dental Accreditation has approved dental laboratory technician training programs. These programs typically provide two to four years of instruction and are available through colleges, vocational schools, or the military.
Related Occupations
− Clinical Laboratory Technologist
− Dentists
Bibliography
“Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/production/dental-and-ophthalmic-laboratory-technicians-and-medical-appliance-technicians.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 51-9081 Dental Laboratory Technicians.” Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/OES/current/oes519081.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.