DENTAL TECHNOLOGY : Expert (Book with DVD) (Workbook Included)

Dental Technology - Expert combines many different practical and visual skills with knowledge of specialized materials and techniques. A dental technologist is a member of the dental team who, upon prescription from a dental clinician, constructs custom made restorative and dental appliances. This book will introduce the knowledge and skills for those studying and/or working in dental technology.

About this Book

The information in this book covers basic to core competencies such as the fabrication/construction and repair of crowns, bridges, dentures and other dental prosthetics/appliances based on dentist’s prescriptions.

About the Dental Technology Industry

Dental technicians provide back-office support to dentists. There are four major disciplines within dental technology. These are fixed prosthesis including crowns, bridges and implants; removable prosthesis, including dentures and removable partial dentures; maxillofacial prosthesis, including ocular prosthesis and craniofacial prosthesis; and orthodontics and auxiliaries, including orthodontic appliances and mouth guards. The dentist communicates with the dental technologist with prescriptions, drawings and measurements taken from the patient. The most important aspect of this is a dental impression into which the technologist flows a gypsum dental stone to create a replica of the patient’s anatomy known as a dental cast. A technologist can then use this cast for the construction of custom appliances. After the dentist has taken a mold of the patient’s teeth, the dental technician uses the mold to produce a wax replica of the teeth, from which he constructs any needed crowns, bridges, or false teeth, and later makes any adjustments to these appliances as directed by the dentist. Dental technicians work closely with dentists and orthodontists. To work in this occupation one needs certain soft skills, or personal qualities. Because they work with their hands, dental technicians need excellent manual dexterity. They also need good vision and the ability to keep their arm and hand steady while working for long periods of time. They must be detail oriented and creative. They also need good time management skills. Strong critical thinking skills will aid them in solving any problems they encounter and good listening and oral comprehension skills will allow them to understand instructions.