Dental Technician Jobs

Dental technicians perform the following functions: filling prescriptions from dentists; constructing and repairing dentures, bridges, crowns, and other artificial tooth replacement devices that dentists order for patients; working from the dentist\'s written instructions; and forming plastic or wax impressions of the patient\'s mouth.

Dental technicians use many different kinds of tools and equipment. For carving and shaping, they use hand tools. Then they use electric drills, presses, lathes, and high-heat furnaces for completing each dental piece. They work these tools on plaster, wax, porcelain, and plastic, as well as on gold and other metals.

Dental technicians should have good vision and color sense. They should be manually dexterous for handling the tiny pieces of material they use in their work. Since their work demands precision, technicians should have patience and should enjoy detail work.

Dental technicians can become experts in a specialized kind of laboratory work. In large laboratories, some technicians become managers or supervisors. Some technicians also start their own laboratories. For this, they need capital or financing to buy equipment. They also need knowledge about running a business.

Dental technicians generally work independently. Their work is diverse and interesting. Although not taxing, it does require close attention to detail.