• Dental technicians make dentures and other devices.dentures image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  Dental technicians work behind the scenes to create and mend dentures and other dental devices. Some dental technicians do the whole job, while others specialize in aspects such as ceramics. You can train formally or learn on the job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers prefer someone with formal training. Accredited programs typically last two years.
  
  

Following Prescriptions

• Dental technicians follow instructions and read prescriptions from dentists. They interpret molds made from the patient's teeth and use these to create a model of the device. The mold may be a physical impression or, increasingly, it may be a three-dimensional computerized model.
  
  

Creating Models and Molds

• Dental technicians use tools that replicate how a normal person's mouth moves and carefully observe any special details (for example, the mouth may have gaps in its teeth that will affect how the finished device works). The dental technician then hand-builds a wax model tooth or set of teeth and uses the model to hand-craft a metal mold and framework.
  
  

Testing and Fine-Tuning

• The technicians then test and fine-tune the teeth and add porcelain to produce the final device. They grind the prosthetic teeth and add more porcelain until the device is properly formed. The end result is a custom replica of the original. She will also test other devices and make sure that they fit properly and fit the specifications.
  
  

Mending and Adjusting

• If you break your false teeth or braces, the dental technician fixes them. He also makes adjustments when a brace needs to be tightened as well as works on crowns, dentures, braces and custom mouth guards.