Dental laboratory technicians work behind the scenes and have limited, often no contact with patients. They make crowns, bridges, ceramics, dentures, implants, and braces that are prescribed by dentists. \n
Students of dental laboratory technology learn all aspects of the art and science of crafting these restorative devices, known as dental prostheses. They learn in the classroom, in the teaching lab, and in real-world labs. Programs begin with core classes in functional anatomy \u2013 the study of bodily structure as it relates to function \u2013 and head and neck anatomy.
", "display_order": 1, "created_at": "2019-10-01T11:36:14.007004-07:00", "updated_at": "2021-11-18T13:55:44.713270-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 1251, "page": 1, "title": "Program Options", "summary_markdown": "**Certificate in Dental Laboratory Technology \u2013 Eighteen Month to Two Year Duration** \r\n**Associate Degree in Dental Laboratory Technology \u2013 Two Year Duration** \r\nCertificate and associate programs in dental laboratory technology are offered by technical and vocational schools and community colleges. Typically, both programs have a practicum component. The associate curriculum includes general education courses in college-level math and writing. The American Dental Association website provides a list of accredited programs. \r\n\r\nHere is a snapshot of the core courses in dental laboratory technology: \r\n\r\n- Introduction to Non-Metallic Dental Materials \u2013 characteristics, uses, and limitations of dental lab materials; infection control \r\n- Tooth Morphology \u2013 tooth form, structure, and function, wax buildup, development of anatomical crowns \r\n- Complete Dentures I \u2013 introduction to denture fabrication, fabricating impression trays, constructing baseplates, contouring full dentures \r\n- Fixed Prosthodontics I \u2013 construction of casts and dies, identifying margins, developing wax patterns for crowns \r\n- Complete Dentures II \u2013 full denture construction \r\n- Fixed Prosthodontics II \u2013 fabrication of multi-unit fixed bridge restorations \r\n- Restorative Dental Ceramics I - theory and techniques of ceramic-metal dental restorations including crowns and all-ceramic restorations \r\n- Removable Partial Dentures I \u2013 theory and practice of removable, partial dental construction \r\n- Principles of Chemistry \u2013 atomic structure, elements, compounds and mixtures, formulas, physical states, bonding, acid-base theory, solutions, and gas laws \r\n- Science of Dental Metallurgy \u2013 physical and mechanical properties of metals used in the laboratory; soldering, welding, and casting procedures; polishing agents; safety procedures", "content_markdown": "- Principles of Occlusion \u2013 how the teeth meet when the lower jaw and upper jaw meet, structure of the oral cavity \r\n- Removable Partial Dentures II \u2013 finishing and polishing metal frameworks, arranging teeth, finishing and polishing acrylic attachments, repair procedures \r\n- Restorative Dental Ceramics II \u2013 design and construction of all ceramic restorations (laminates), contouring and firing of porcelains, glazing and staining of bridges and crowns \r\n- Complete Dentures III \u2013 set-up for an immediate full denture; restoring fit, function, and aesthetics \r\n- Computer-Aided Design (CAD / Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) in Dentistry \u2013 theory and practice of fabricating dental prosthetics digitally, material selection, the final dental prosthesis \r\n- Laboratory Operation, Ethics, and the Law - fundamental of operating and managing a dental lab, ethical and legal obligations of the dental technician \r\n- Fixed Prosthodontics \u2013 computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing of dental prosthetic restorations, specialized multi-unit bridgework, composite restorative materials \r\n- Orthodontics \u2013 history of orthodontics, types of normal occlusion and malocclusion, types of appliances used to move teeth, the physiological actions that occur when teeth are moved through bone as a result of orthodontic treatment \r\n- Complete Dentures and Maxillofacial Concepts \u2013 flexible partial dentures, maxillofacial (relating to the jaws and face) reconstruction techniques, fabrication of a palatal obturator (a prosthesis that can be used to close defects like an opening in the roof of the mouth) \r\n- Restorative Dental Ceramics Practicum \u2013 restorations using actual impressions, fabrication of CAD/CAM restorations \r\n- Dental Implant Prosthetics \u2013 theory and practice of fabricating dental implant prosthetics; fixed and removable implants; surgically anchored, bone-integrated implants", "content_html": "
\n- Principles of Occlusion \u2013 how the teeth meet when the lower jaw and upper jaw meet, structure of the oral cavity
\n- Removable Partial Dentures II \u2013 finishing and polishing metal frameworks, arranging teeth, finishing and polishing acrylic attachments, repair procedures
\n- Restorative Dental Ceramics II \u2013 design and construction of all ceramic restorations (laminates), contouring and firing of porcelains, glazing and staining of bridges and crowns
\n- Complete Dentures III \u2013 set-up for an immediate full denture; restoring fit, function, and aesthetics
\n- Computer-Aided Design (CAD / Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) in Dentistry \u2013 theory and practice of fabricating dental prosthetics digitally, material selection, the final dental prosthesis
\n- Laboratory Operation, Ethics, and the Law - fundamental of operating and managing a dental lab, ethical and legal obligations of the dental technician
\n- Fixed Prosthodontics \u2013 computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing of dental prosthetic restorations, specialized multi-unit bridgework, composite restorative materials
\n- Orthodontics \u2013 history of orthodontics, types of normal occlusion and malocclusion, types of appliances used to move teeth, the physiological actions that occur when teeth are moved through bone as a result of orthodontic treatment
\n- Complete Dentures and Maxillofacial Concepts \u2013 flexible partial dentures, maxillofacial (relating to the jaws and face) reconstruction techniques, fabrication of a palatal obturator (a prosthesis that can be used to close defects like an opening in the roof of the mouth)
\n- Restorative Dental Ceramics Practicum \u2013 restorations using actual impressions, fabrication of CAD/CAM restorations
\n- Dental Implant Prosthetics \u2013 theory and practice of fabricating dental implant prosthetics; fixed and removable implants; surgically anchored, bone-integrated implants
\n
", "display_order": 2, "created_at": "2019-10-01T11:36:14.008066-07:00", "updated_at": "2022-02-07T13:37:56.122108-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 1251, "page": 1, "title": "Degrees Similar to Dental Laboratory Technology", "summary_markdown": "**[Dental Assisting](/degrees/dental-assisting-degree/)** \r\nDental assisting education programs teach the clinical and administrative components of working as a dental assistant. Students learn in classroom, laboratory, and real-world settings. Those who wish to work in a specialized area of dentistry, such as pediatric or orthodontic care, can often focus on it during the practicum portion of their training. \r\n\r\n**[Dental Hygiene](/degrees/dental-hygiene-degree/)** \r\nDegree programs in dental hygiene train students how to clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases, treat tooth decay, and educate patients how to care for their teeth and gums. The dental hygiene curriculum is more clinical than the dental assisting curriculum. It focuses on subjects like dental anatomy, periodontics (the supporting structures of teeth), microbiology, and pathology (disease). \r\n\r\n**[Pre-Dentistry](/degrees/pre-dentistry-degree/)** \r\nThere is no distinct pre-dentistry degree. \u2018Pre-dentistry\u2019 or is merely a term that students planning to go to dental school use to describe their undergraduate studies. In fact, aspiring dentists enter dental school having earned many different bachelor\u2019s degrees. A science program such as biology or chemistry is certainly a common choice, but it is not mandatory. In other words, a pre-dental student can be a psychology major, a statistics major, or a Spanish major. The key for students is to incorporate into their studies the classes needed to apply to dental school.", "content_markdown": "**[Clinical Medical Assisting](/degrees/clinical-medical-assisting-degree/)** \r\nThis degree program prepares students to work as assistants to medical doctors. The typical curriculum covers medical terminology, medical office administration, insurance, and medical software. As the role of medical assistant may involve some basic clinical tasks, students also learn the fundamentals of human disease, disease diagnosis, and medications. \r\n\r\n**[Surgical Technology](/degrees/surgical-technology-degree/)** \r\nSurgical technology certificate and degree programs teach students how to be effective members of operating room teams. Students learn how to equip operating rooms for specific procedures, how to prepare patients for surgery, how to sterilize surgical instruments, and how to assist doctors, nurses, and patients. Coursework includes anatomy and physiology, surgical patient care, and health law and ethics.", "content_html": "
Clinical Medical Assisting
\nThis degree program prepares students to work as assistants to medical doctors. The typical curriculum covers medical terminology, medical office administration, insurance, and medical software. As the role of medical assistant may involve some basic clinical tasks, students also learn the fundamentals of human disease, disease diagnosis, and medications.
\n
Surgical Technology
\nSurgical technology certificate and degree programs teach students how to be effective members of operating room teams. Students learn how to equip operating rooms for specific procedures, how to prepare patients for surgery, how to sterilize surgical instruments, and how to assist doctors, nurses, and patients. Coursework includes anatomy and physiology, surgical patient care, and health law and ethics.
", "display_order": 3, "created_at": "2019-10-01T11:36:14.009127-07:00", "updated_at": "2022-02-07T13:39:48.609532-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 1251, "page": 1, "title": "Skills You’ll Learn", "summary_markdown": "In addition to their specific technical skills, dental laboratory technology grads leave their studies with valuable transferable skills: \r\n\r\n- Attention to Detail \u2013 if a crown or denture or bridge is not meticulously crafted it will not fit the patient properly \r\n- Hand-eye Coordination and Manual Dexterity \u2013 the work of a dental lab technician is precise and delicate work; making dental prostheses involves manipulating instruments, tools, wires, and materials \r\n- Artistic Sensibility \u2013 the science of creating dental prostheses is also an art; every patient\u2019s teeth are different, meaning that every piece is a custom, original piece \r\n- Curiosity and Adaptability \u2013 dental laboratory technology is always evolving; technicians in the field have to be comfortable with learning new methods and how to use new instruments \r\n- Color Perception \u2013 some of the work that dental lab technicians do requires that they are able to distinguish between subtle color variations \r\n- Independence \u2013 even if they are employed by large commercial laboratories, dental lab technicians generally work alone, focused on individually assigned projects", "content_markdown": "", "content_html": "", "display_order": 4, "created_at": "2019-10-01T11:36:14.010206-07:00", "updated_at": "2022-02-07T13:36:36.976343-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 1251, "page": 1, "title": "What Can You Do with a Dental Laboratory Technology Degree?", "summary_markdown": "Because of the very specific nature of their degree, dental laboratory technicians generally work directly in the dental lab field. Their employment options include: \r\n\r\n- Dental Laboratories \u2013 larger labs present opportunities to become supervisors, department heads, or quality-control specialists \r\n- Dental Laboratory Technology Training Programs \u2013 teaching roles \r\n- Dental Manufacturers and Dental Supply Companies \u2013 sales and marketing roles \r\n- Dental Offices \u2013 some larger dental consortiums may employ their own lab tech instead of contracting work to commercial laboratories \r\n- Dental Schools \r\n- Hospitals \r\n- Military-base Dental Laboratories \r\n- Private Practice \r\n\r\nDepending on where they are employed, some dental laboratory technicians may choose to work exclusively in one of the dental technology specialties: \r\n\r\n- Conservation \u2013 crown and bridge work \r\n- Orthodontics \u2013 design and making of braces \r\n- Prosthodontics \u2013 Complete Dentures \r\n- Prosthodontics \u2013 Partial Dentures \r\n- Prosthodontics \u2013 Implants \r\n- Maxillofacial \u2013 reconstruction of jaws and faces which have undergone trauma", "content_markdown": "", "content_html": "", "display_order": 5, "created_at": "2019-10-01T11:36:14.011255-07:00", "updated_at": "2022-02-07T13:36:37.003658-08:00"}], "degree_specializations": []}">
