Introduction to Dental Lab Equipment

Introduction to Dental Lab Equipment DA 108 Dental Materials

Safety First! • DA must wear safety glasses during these lab activities: • 1. operation of rotary equipment • Dental lathe • Model trimmer • Handpiece • 2. using the Bunsen Burner • 3. chipping plaster or stone from impressions or models

Model Trimmer • Trim excess material from gypsum or plaster models • Always use safety glasses and protective shield • Always wear lab coat and or lab apron • Gloves should not be worn

Model Trimmer Safety • Keep hands firmly secured against metal base of model trimmer • Do not allow model to lift off base of trimmer • Keep fingers away from wheel. Pay close attention to where your hands are! • Keep eyes on model to prevent over-trimming • Flush with clear water when finished with trimmer

Model Vibrator • Removes bubbles when pouring gypsum into impressions to make model • Use paper or plastic cover to protect unit from spills

Vacuum Machine • Forms flat plastic sheets into 3-dimensional shapes by heating and molding over model of patient’s teeth • Stay nearby while machine is heating up • AKA Vacuformer

Burners and Torches • Warm or soften wax • Heat solutions and dental materials • Turn off immediately after use; do not leave unattended • Tie hair away from face • Alcohol torch has similar uses • Bunsen Burner • Alcohol torch

Dental Lathe • Polish dentures, crowns, bridges, inlays • Right/Left chuck • Keep plastic shield down for safety • Use pumice slurry for polishing • New pumice for each use

Vacuum Mixing Machine • Automatically mixes stone and plaster • Creates smooth surfaces on models

Dental Engines • Holds burs and wheels when trimming or polishing appliances in the dental lab • Dremel Tool used in class lab

Plaster/Gypsum Bins • Stores bulk plaster or gypsum for easy access • We use smaller labeled canisters in class

Articulator • Hinged metal device that imitates the movement of the jaw • Patient’s models are attached to simulate jaw movements and dental occlusion

Dental Lab Bench • Counters where lab technicians can sit and work • Some include storage areas

Sandblaster • Uses fine sand to shape or clean metal appliances • Ventilated area, or suction • Micro-etcher, used in mouth; requires safety glasses and mask • Patient wears glasses also

Waxing unit • Keeps dental wax melted • HOT: use caution

Lab Spatulas • Used to mix lab materials • Variety of sizes • Flexible or stiff • Specific to dental material mixed

Wax Spatulas • Used to carve and shape wax items • Various sizes and shapes

Lab Knives • Used to cut various lab materials • Many sizes and shapes

Shears or Nippers • Used to trim waxes, plastic sheets, other items • Act like heavy-duty scissors

Rubber Bowls • Used to hold materials as they are mixed • Flexible • Sized according to amount of material Acrylic bowl • Alginate Bowls

More on bowls • Always disinfect alginate bowl after taking impressions on human. • Not necessary when working on typodont

Introduction to Dental Lab Equipment