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