Dental technology plays a huge part in modern dentistry. Anything that has to do with dental appliances, restorative devices, dental restorations, even cosmetic dentistry involves dental technology. The dental professionals who work under dental laboratory technology are called dental technicians. If you are looking for professional and experienced dental software technicians, your clinic might benefit from Urban IT.
Scope Of Dental Technology
This part of dentistry caters to different dental services in reliance on dental prescriptions and recommendations of dentists. Dental technicians are dental technology professionals who specialize in producing and repairing dental devices including crowns, bridges, veneers, or braces. To sum it up, they are the people behind the materials that dentists use to improve patient’s teeth, speech, and overall dental functions.
Listed below are the elements that account for dental technology:
- Bridges and Crowns
These two prosthetics are the most common dental appliance that dominates dental services. Apart from the fact that most general dentists can perform these restorations, both are equivalently important devices that can fix numerous dental problems. Bridges are used to fill the gaps between teeth while crowns are used to conceal damaged teeth caused by decay. Both conditions are very common these days making it the topmost sought-after dental technology appliance. - Full Dentures
They are trained to create not just one tooth but to replicate the entire dental structure. Dentures are removable prosthetics that are commonly used by older people. Although because of the rapid spread of tooth decay and tooth loss worldwide, even young people are acquiring it. Technicians need to make it comfortable and functional for its wearer without disregarding its functions. - Incomplete Dentures
Incomplete dentures can also be removed from the mouth. The only difference is that it only fills in for a few or several missing teeth. Oftentimes, this is the go-to restorative option for patients who are aiming for a cheaper alternative to dental bridges. - Dental Porcelain
Also known as ceramics, this medium is used to replicate teeth. They are trained to create restoratives from scratch. This means that they create teeth by using porcelain powder. Although porcelain is a popular dental material for dental prosthetics, it is not always recommended for everyone. - Orthodontics
A technician also work hand-in-hand with orthodontists, the dental professionals responsible for correcting bites, occlusion, and teeth alignment. Unlike other branches of dental technology, orthodontic dental technicians work on appliances such as braces, retainers, headgear, palatal expanders, positioners, customized mouthguards, spacers, and Forsus appliances. - Dental Implants
Dental technology also provides the material used for dental implants. These are the apparatus placed in the jaw of patients to imitate the function of the tooth root. This will serve as support to the tooth replacement such as crowns and bridges.
Roles Of Dental Technician
Compared to dentists, a dental technician fulfill his or her duties behind the curtain. If you are wondering where dentists get the prosthetics that they place in your teeth, there is only one answer, from dental laboratory technicians.
They have the option to specialize in general dental technology or in certain expertise, nonetheless, they play a very important role in the dental industry.
Their job duties include the following:
- They create replacements for missing teeth with full or partial dentures.
- Restoring the smile by replicating teeth by constructing crowns and bridges.
- Fixes dental issues by creating efficient removable apparatuses.
- Building dental prostheses that fit perfectly on the patient’s jawbone.
- Dental technicians can also produce replacements for missing facial and body tissues by means of molding maxillo-facial prostheses.
- Follow the dentists’ special instructions for unique dental cases. This is for dental problems with specific issues that need to be addressed.
- The office of dental technology is also required to keep records, logs, and reports.
- Professional dental technicians are expected to execute the following excellently:
electro spot welding
metal and plaster casting
polishing
wax detailing
ceramic molding
wire curving
grit or sandblasting
operating laboratory equipment
maintain all tools, devices, and machines in the laboratory - A technician is also expected to improve his performance by constantly doing research and studies on advanced strategies.
- They are also encouraged to join dental technology organizations and participate in new training and programs to enhance their knowledge and skills.
- Improve the standing of the dental lab by successfully manufacturing modern and unusual requests by dentists. This can be fulfilled if the technician is eager to explore new and advanced techniques and methods.
They are required to contribute to the advancements of dental technologies and solutions to provide great treatment and services to patients. After all, they have the certification to work for a health lab. Their designation as a dentist partner to provide care and service is an important role that needs to be taken seriously.
Equipment Used in Dental Lab
To come up with excellent dental prosthetics, dental laboratories use different pieces of equipment. Below are the most important tools that they use and its functions:
- Handpieces and motors. These are the tools used for building models, completing and furbishing restoration along with other things.
- Microscopes. This helps the dental technician to see the small parts and details of the prosthetics that they create.
- Pneumatic chisels. this is an essential tool for dental technicians as this is used to remove the plaster. This device needs to be plugged into an air compressor to function.
- Sandblasters. They use this tool to prepare and adjust several dental materials for optimum output.
- Dust collectors. A machine used to suck up unwanted dust from materials and even the workplace. This keeps the working area of the technician clean.
- Torches and welders. Tools used for different purposes such as attaching materials, repairing prosthetics, and the likes.
- Laboratory technology systems. This could include different advanced machines to produce and manufacture dental prosthetics like scanners, printers, cameras, and computers.
