A dental clinic is not only made up of dentists.
In addition to dentists, there are other professionals without whom it would be impossible to achieve optimal results for patients.
And we are not only referring to the dental assistants and hygienists who work in the dental offices, but also to those who are part of the dental laboratory.
In this article we are going to explain what a laboratory is, where a very important task is carried out that often goes unnoticed by patients.
What is a dental laboratory and who works in it?
A dental laboratory is a company specifically dedicated to the manufacture of dental material.
The crowns, splints, bridges, veneers or any other prosthesis that the dentist is going to place in a patient’s mouth, come from the laboratory.
There they have technological machinery that helps to make all these elements quickly and efficiently.
In Spain, people who work in a dental laboratory are known as dental technicians.
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They need specific training and the title of Higher Technician in Dental Prosthetics.
In other countries, however, the name of these professionals may change and they are usually called dental mechanics.
In any case, a prosthodontist has a deep knowledge of oral anatomy to fabricate dental pieces with the appearance of a natural tooth.
The result is prostheses of any kind that restore dental functionality and esthetics to the patient’s smile.
At DrAW Clinic we work exclusively with a dental laboratory, so production times are shortened.
How a dental laboratory works
A laboratory can be a supplier for different dental clinics and provide the material they need at any given moment.
However, at DrAW Clinic we work with an exclusive laboratory, with the advantages that this entails.
On the one hand, the prosthetists are perfectly familiar with our work methodology.
Although they do not work directly with patients, since their training does not allow them to perform actions directly on the oral cavity, they are familiar with them and cover all their oral and dental needs.
Prosthetist in the laboratory
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PROSTHETIST IN A DENTAL LABORATORY
On the other hand, the laboratory professionals only receive orders from our doctors, so waiting times are substantially reduced because they have only one dental center as a client.
Communication between the clinic and the laboratory is constant so that the result of the prosthesis or splint that is in the process of being created is the best possible.
What is made in a laboratory?
As we have explained previously, in a laboratory the orders for the patients are manufactured.
In the laboratory we work with, the dental technicians provide us with:
All types of dental prostheses
We understand by prosthesis all those pieces -complete or partial- that are made to measure for the patient and that help them to recover their dental aesthetics and functionality.
We talk about crowns, veneers, bridges, implants, inlays and dental reconstructions.
Artificial crowns
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DENTAL CROWNS
Thanks to the technological innovations that we have in our clinic -which we will detail below-, production times are significantly reduced.
Thus, from the time a person comes for their first visit until they have their veneer, for example, only 72 hours elapse.
The usual waiting time used to be 30 days.
Dental splints
The workers make retention splints (Essix), i.e., those that are given to patients once they have completed their orthodontic treatment.
They also make the splints necessary to perform the combined dental whitening that we offer.
This type of splints are similar in appearance to the Essix.
However, they are made of a different material, making them much more flexible.
It’s not just the dentist that matters
In addition to the dentist’s expertise, it is essential that the material and machinery available in the laboratory deliver effective and long-lasting results.
Thirdly, the prosthetists are also responsible for the fabrication of the recommended relief splints for patients with bruxism.
Latest technology for technical equipment
As mentioned above, technology not only helps to speed up production.
It also ensures optimal and effective results.
The dental laboratory we work with is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and the dental technicians are experts in their field.
3 Shape Software
The 3 Shape computer software allows you to see the final result of the patient’s mouth without even having started the treatment.
Smile design
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3 SHAPE SOFTWARE
For example, let’s imagine that a patient needs a dental inlay.
After his first appointment with a professional specialized in conservative dentistry, a scan of his mouth will be performed to obtain a virtual sample.
The dental technician will design the inlay on your teeth and thus anticipate the result.
This method allows the treatment to be very predictable, thus avoiding problems of design or adaptation of the prosthesis to the person’s tooth.
Robotic milling machine
This robotic machine is connected to the 3 Shape software.
Until not so long ago, material sizing was done by hand, so the result was not always exact to the model initially conceived and the process took too long.
With today’s technological innovations in the laboratory, a robotic milling machine is in charge of manufacturing all the parts following the virtual sample to the millimeter.
Milling machine for prostheses
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ROBOTIC MILLING MACHINE
In a matter of 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the size of the part), the prosthetist obtains the designed prosthesis.
Firing oven
The next step is to give the prosthesis the color of a natural tooth.
To do this, the material from which the prosthesis is made – usually porcelain or zirconium – must crystallize, i.e. change phase.
This is achieved thanks to a firing furnace that provides the appropriate glaze -gloss- to the piece.
In addition, the furnace is able to give the nuances required by each prosthesis according to the esthetic needs of the patient.
This process takes between 6 and 8 minutes.
Porcelain furnace
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PORCELAIN FIRING FURNACE
Make-up
Although the firing furnace personalizes the dental piece, sometimes it is necessary for the dental technician to give it some characterization.
Thus, the result is even more natural.
This task, known as make-up, requires skill and precision on the part of the dental technician.
Thanks to a special paint that never fades, the worker strategically mixes the colors and paints each prosthesis by hand.
Our patients are very surprised by the lifelike appearance of their prostheses, making the lab’s work very effective.
Laboratory safety
All dental technicians must follow a series of guidelines to ensure the hygiene of the manufactured material.
These cleaning and safety instructions are reflected in the Biosafety Protocol, a manual indicating the precautions to be taken by dental technicians.
This document details how workers should protect themselves, not only because of the chemicals present in the laboratory, but also to ensure the integrity of the prostheses.
Inside the laboratory, it is necessary to wear an oral-nasal mask, protective goggles, disposable gloves and caps, and a surgical apron.
All laboratory equipment – as well as that used in the clinic – must be sterilized and disinfected after each use.
Now that you know where dentures and splints are fabricated, you are sure to have a deeper understanding of how a dental clinic works.
Behind every treatment, there is always a specialized professional.
