INTRODUCTION

Dental lab technician is vital part of dental care team. They are responsible for fixed and removable restorations - but easiest way to define this career is to say they create replacements for natural teeth. There are several certifications in different areas dental technologist can acquire: orthodontic, dentures, implants, ceramics, crown and bridges.

Some say this profession is an art and a science at the same time. But more than everything it is driven by latest technology in medical field. In this chapter we need to introduce tools every dental lab has. Let’s start with basic ones.

Dental Laboratory Furniture

Dental lab furniture consist from lightning system, seating chair and benches in most cases. Combination of those three with addition of dust collectors and drawers can be optimal solution both for small and large dental labs - and it is called dental lab workstation.

There are great number of different types of workstations on the market. Price mostly depend on workstation size (meaning it is one or two seater), used materials, bench surface, number of drawers, dust collector speed and power and light type.

Modern dental workstations are made from electro-galvanized stainless steel and have modular seating position with arm rest. Lights can be controlled in several levels and modes depending on external light source. Drawers come in different sizes, colors and capacity. Some manufacturers offer height adjusted top surface. This option can dramatically improve ergonomic. Work surface is made from solid materials that can last for decades and in different colors. 

Price for new dental workstation can reach several thousand dollars. That’s the reason many dental lab owners choose to purchase used dental workstation. Search online and you can find second hand workstations in great shape at discounted price.

Most trusted manufacturers and suppliers in this field are KAVO, Aries, DentalArt, NevinLabs, Amtech, Lista etc.

Dental Lab Rotary Handpiece

Handpiece is essential tool in every dental lab. It is impossible to produce dental and orthodontic appliance without quality handpiece rotary tool. Here should point that lab rotary tool is not the same tool as high speed dental drill or bur for removing decay.

Lab rotary tool has vast spectrum of usage and combined with bur or small abrasive wheels and points can trim acrylic retainers, pre-polishing and fine polishing all kind of dental and orthodontic workpieces like retainers, implants crown and bridges, cut and sprue sectioning, finish fixed metal orthodontic appliance - micro etching, cleaning, smoothing and buffing.

What to look after when buying dental lab rotary tool? Depending on lab needs and application you can pay attention to torque, RPM range, motor type and size, hand or foot control, weight, shape, number of accessories, cooling, noise level, chuck size and type and of course there is always warranty period.

Today’s dental handpieces are made from premium materials like steel alloy. Thea are robust and very light at the same time. Speed range goes from 1000 to 50,000 RPM with smooth power delivery and responsiveness. Reverse speed usually goes from 1000 to 5000 revs per minute.

Shape and dimensions of tool is something that needs to be considered as well. Working for hours on delicate pieces using just one hand can be hard. Anatomical shape will improve maneuverability reducing pain in palm area.  

There is great number of suppliers and manufacturers, just to name some: CRATEX, Vacalon, Aseptico, KAVO, Buffalo Dental, W&H, Dentsply Sirona, NSK and many more. Prices can vary depending on specification, from $200 up to $2000 with accessories.

Dental Lathes

Dental lathe looks like ordinary bench grinder and it is used with abrasive attachments for polishing and finishing dental and orthodontic appliance. Polishing lathes are used in many industries like jewelry, lapidary, woodworking, metal working and of course dental. Choose polishing lathe for your dental lab according to your daily tasks, don’t buy to powerful lathes if you don’t need them. This way you will stay within budget and save space in your laboratory.

How To Choose Dental polishing Lathe

Dental lathes are primary used for polishing, grinding, cleaning and brushing plastic and metal materials. There are a lot of features that you need to take into consideration when choosing one. Common things to check here are: electric engine power, speed, single or double spindle station, and noise level, does it have protection or shield, light and removable dust filters.

Another but not less important thing to decide is do you need polishing lathe with vacuum cleaner. Vacuum cleaner is great addition and will effectively collect dust when working on plastic, cement or acrylic molds. If your polishing lathe don’t have option to add vacuum cleaner you can always attach dust collector with filter. These portable collectors can collect dust and debris down to point five microns in size.

Dental lathe prices start from around $400 and can go up to $2000. There is lot of used models for sale online but you need to be cautious. Polishing lathe is essential tool in every dentist lab and needs to be powerful enough, quiet and without vibrations. Trusted brands in this field are: Red Wing, Buffalo, Wells, Erio, Dentalfarm, Aries, Obodent, Zubler, CATO, WasserMann, Sirio Dental and many other.  

Dental Lab Lathe Infection Control

Polishing lathe in dental laboratory needs to be clean and disinfected to avoid dental and orthodontic workpieces cross contamination. Using rotating abrasive wheels, points, cones, burs on large number of dental appliances can increase level of dangerous microorganisms that can lead to infection. That is why dental technicians need to take extra steps in infection control to prevent lathe, prosthetic appliance and their self’s from infectious organisms.

Few steps for dental lathe infection control:

1. Hand hygiene – no need for further explanation,
2. Personal protective equipment – always use glasses, gloves and masks when working on dental lathe
3. Polishing lathe protective equipment - it is also recommended to have shield placed in lathe which limits number of flying debris. Vacuum cleaner or dust collector attached to the machine while working can
4. Disinfection or sterilization – keep clean rotating lathe pieces like abrasive wheels, stones and burns. Same goes for items processed on the lathe.