Dental Laboratory Technicians
Human Advantage 69%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.8 / 10
This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.
Also Known As: Bridge Technician, CAD Tech (Computer-Aided Design Technician), CAM Tech (Computer-Aided Manufacturing Technician), Ceramist, Certified Dental Technologist (CDT), Crown Ceramist, Crown and Bridge Dental Laboratory Technician (Crown and Bridge Dental Lab Tech), Crown and Bridge Technician (Crown and Bridge Tech) +32 more
Core Tasks
- Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
- Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.
- Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
- Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
- Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.
- Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.
- Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatuses.
Supplemental Tasks (10)
- Prepare metal surfaces for bonding with porcelain to create artificial teeth, using small hand tools.
- Rebuild or replace linings, wire sections, or missing teeth to repair dentures.
- Apply porcelain paste or wax over prosthesis frameworks or setups, using brushes and spatulas.
- Build and shape wax teeth, using small hand instruments and information from observations or dentists' specifications.
- Load newly constructed teeth into porcelain furnaces to bake the porcelain onto the metal framework.
- Mold wax over denture setups to form the full contours of artificial gums.
- Create a model of patient's mouth by pouring plaster into a dental impression and allowing plaster to set.
- Prepare wax bite blocks and impression trays for use.
- Shape and solder wire and metal frames or bands for dental products, using soldering irons and hand tools.
- Fill chipped or low spots in surfaces of devices, using acrylic resins.
Emerging Tasks
New and evolving responsibilities for this role:
- Meet with dentists or patients to discuss dental appliances.
- Order parts or materials needed to make dental appliances.
- Scan dental models to create digital files.
- Stain porcelain on dental appliances to match the color of patients' teeth.
Education & Training
Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (29)
Tools & Equipment (105)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Physical Health Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 2
Dental Laboratory Technicians You are here
Zone 4
Cytogenetic Technologists 78% match
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