Dental lab technicians play an often underrated role in the US dental care system. It is their job to craft the crowns, bridges, dentures, and other prostheses needed to help an individual recover and restore their smile. It is a highly specialized arrangement that involves craftsmanship, precision, and attention to detail. The US labor force has over 30,000 persons in the dental lab technician field, located from coast to coast and in every state.

The job of tooth technician is not for everyone. Many of those in the field are highly-trained professionals with 10 to 15 years or more experience. Qualifications may include formal education and certifications in dental laboratory technology, dental materials sciences, dental anatomy, and more. It is their commitment to quality and their craftsmanship that ensures a superior product.

For the most part, dental lab technicians are grouped into the category of ‘dental assistant’, but they do perform specialized duties. They first receive a model or request from a dentist, from which they will craft the actual prostheses. During the process, technicians collaborate with the dentist on the design of the prosthesis and also review available materials, advise the dentist on the durability, and make sure it meets the desired aesthetic objectives. Depending on the prosthesis that is being fabricated, the process is often meticulous, requiring many steps and attention to detail.

In addition to prosthetics, technicians may also provide repairs and polishing services for existing prosthetic items. They may also craft retainers, mouth guards, splints, dentures, and similar items. As technology evolves, some technicians are also called upon to perform CAD/CAM operations to embrace the latest fabrication techniques.

Generally, a dental lab technician earns an averagerange of 28,000 to 35,000 US Dollars a year. Some technicians with higher levels of education may earn more, while those with limited experience will likely earn less. It is reported that those technicians working in states like California, Washington, and New York tend to make more money, while the state of Georgia pays their dental lab technicians better than most other states.

Music to their ears? Probably not, but the job of a dental lab technician is essential to the health of everyone in the United States. Without them, there would be no way to produce the prostheses we need to restore smiles and give people their confidence back. They surely deserve our admiration and respect.