Introduction:  Dental laboratory technology is the art and science of designing, manufacturing and customizing corrective devises and replacement for natural teeth and associated tissues.  A Dental Technologist is a member of the dental team who, upon prescription from a dental clinician, constructs custom made restorative and dental appliances. THE ROLE OF DENTAL TECHNOLOGY IN ORAL HEALTH CARE

WHY Dental prostheses?  Mastication; as chewing ability is improved  Aesthetics; teeth gives a natural appearance to the face, and wearing a denture to replace missing teeth provides support for the lips and cheeks.  Pronunciation; because replacing missing teeth, especially the anteriors, enables patients to speak better.  Self-esteem; because improved looks and speech boost confidence in the ability to interact socially

 There are four major disciplines within dental technology: 1. Fixed restorations/prosthesis: These are restorations to replace a tooth/teeth that may have been lost or damaged. These restorations once placed by a dentist, the patient cannot remove them. Examples: crowns, bridges, veneers, fixed implant restorations, inlays and onlays. BeforeAfter

 Examples: crowns, bridges, veneers, fixed implant restorations, inlays and onlays.  Before After  BeforeAfter

 2. Removable restorations/prosthesis: These are dental appliances that replace one or more teeth that have been completely lost. They can be removed by the patient for cleaning and at night. Examples: Full dentures, partial dentures and over dentures.

More Examples: Full dentures, partial dentures and over dentures.

3. Maxillofacial Prosthesis: These are prosthesis that manages replacement and restoration of lost or missing structures and functions in the head and neck region with artificial substitutes. Examples: Eyes, nose and ears.

3. Maxillofacial Prosthesis: Examples: Eyes, nose and ears. BeforeAfter

 4. Orthodontic appliances and auxiliaries : These are removable appliance made of wires, springs and screws incorporated in acrylic resin, to move teeth to form a more harmonious occlusion and aesthetics appearance of teeth and maintain the position of previously moved teeth.  Example: Hawley’s appliance, expansion appliances and space maintainers.

 4. Orthodontic appliances and auxiliaries – Cont.  More Example: Hawley’s appliance, expansion appliances and space maintainers.

 Challenges:  Cost of machinery and equipment involved in the production of the prosthesis.  Lack of further training.  Genuine lack of interaction between dental technicians and dentists.  Lack of awareness by the public of dental technology services.  Lack of legal framework for dental technology practice – leading to spread of quacks

 Conclusion:  Training opportunities in specialized areas  The Dental Technologists as part of the dental team play a key role in dental treatment cycle.  There is need for dentists/dental surgeons to collaborate closely with dental technologists in the treatment and design of prostheses.  Provision of relevant equipment/machines and laboratory work instruments  Procurement of key materials in specialized areas like maxillo-facial prosthetics

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