What Is Dental Prosthetic Technology?

Dental technology refers to the field of dentistry that involves designing, creating, and repairing dental prostheses and appliances used in oral healthcare. This include items like crowns, bridges, dentures, and orthodontic appliances. Dental technicians are professionals trained in this field who work in dental laboratories. Their job involve interpreting dental impressions and prescriptions from dentists, using various materials and techniques to fabricate dental prostheses to precise specifications, and ensuring they fit comfortably and function properly for patients.

What does the dental technology program at LACC provides?

the dental technology program at LACC offers comprehensive hands-on experience and essential knowledge in fabricating dental prostheses. Students gain proficiency in crafting a range of dental appliances, including crowns, bridges, removable partial dentures, and complete denture including implant prosthodontics. Additionally, the program provides training in digital denture techniques and CAD/CAM technology, ensuring graduates are equipped with cutting-edge skills to excel in the field of dental technology.

What It Takes

The Dental Laboratory Technologist is both a scientist and an artist due to technological and aesthetic components of this unique profession.

The field requires a degree of manual dexterity, good artistic sensibilities, and the ability to understand and interpret the dental prescription.

Where We Work

Dental Technologists are employed in commercial dental laboratories, dental offices, education, research and development, dental supply sales.

Commercial dental laboratories vary in size from a few employees up to a few thousand. Private dental offices have their own in-house laboratories, usually with one or two technologists providing the laboratory work for just the dentist(s) practicing in the office.

Various government and private hospitals as well as companies that manufacture dental materials also provide training and employment for a number of dental technologists.

Entrepreneurial options are highly thought after by programs' graduates.

Salary

Experienced technologists may find various teaching positions in schools specializing in dental laboratory technology education.

Currently there is a great demand for dental laboratory technologists. The National Institute of Business Management identified dental technology as the third-fastest growing profession in the United States. A News day survey placed it second in New York State. The United States Occupational Handbook; listed it as growing much faster than the national average.

Based on advertised salaries, a skilled technician employed in a quality-oriented laboratory presently might expect to earn annually in the $40,000-$70,000 range.

A laboratory owner’s earnings will depend largely on the clientèle he/she decides to serve, and importantly, on his or her financial management skills.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the average wage for a Dental Laboratory Technician in 2021 was $25-30.