Dental Laboratory Technician
Quick Facts
Median Salary$47,530
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+15.55%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Dental Laboratory Technician fabricates dental prosthetics, such as dentures, orthodontic appliances, crowns, and bridges, according to specifications determined by a dentist or orthodontist.
Core Tasks:
- Read prescriptions or specifications and examine models or impressions to determine the design of dental products to be constructed.
- Test appliances for conformance to specifications and accuracy of occlusion, using articulators and micrometers.
- Fabricate, alter, or repair dental devices, such as dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays, or appliances for straightening teeth.
- Place tooth models on an apparatus that mimics bite and movement of patient's jaw to evaluate functionality of model.
- Remove excess metal or porcelain and polish surfaces of prostheses or frameworks, using polishing machines.
- Melt metals or mix plaster, porcelain, or acrylic pastes and pour materials into molds or over frameworks to form dental prostheses or apparatuses.
- Train or supervise other dental technicians or dental laboratory bench workers.
What to expect as a Dental Laboratory Technician
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
24% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Dental Laboratory Technician related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
702 openings for Dental Laboratory Technicians
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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