A dental technologist is a member of the dental team who, upon presciption from a dental clinician, constructs custom made restorative and dental appliances.

There are four major disciplines within dental technology. These are fixed prosthesis including crowns

Crown (dentistry)

A crown is a type of dental restoration which completely caps or encircles a tooth or dental implant. Crowns are often needed when a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth. They are typically bonded to the tooth using a dental cement. Crowns can be made from many materials, which...

, bridges

Bridge (dentistry)

A bridge, also known as a fixed partial denture, is a dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth by joining permanently to adjacent teeth or dental implants....

 and implants

Dental implant

A dental implant is a "root" device, usually made of titanium, used in dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth to replace missing teeth....

; removable prosthesis, including dentures

Dentures

Dentures are prosthetic devices constructed to replace missing teeth, and which are supported by surrounding soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. Conventional dentures are removable, however there are many different denture designs, some which rely on bonding or clasping onto teeth or dental...

 and removable partial dentures; maxillofacial prosthesis, including ocular prosthesis

Ocular prosthesis

An ocular prosthesis or artificial eye replaces an absent natural eye following an enucleation, evisceration, or orbital exenteration. The prosthetic fits over an orbital implant and under the eyelids. Often referred to as a glass eye, the ocular prosthesis roughly takes the shape of a convex...

 and craniofacial prosthesis

Craniofacial prosthesis

Craniofacial prostheses are prostheses made by individuals trained in anaplastology or maxillofacial prosthodontics who medically help rehabilitate those suffering from facial defects caused by disease , trauma or birth defects...

; and orthodontics and auxiliaries, including orthodontic appliances

Orthodontic Technology

Orthodontic technology is a specialty of dental technology that is concerned with the design and fabrication of dental appliances for the treatment of malocclusions, which may be a result of tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships, or both....

 and mouthguard

Mouthguard

A mouthguard is a protective device for the mouth that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth, arches, lips and gums...

s.

The dentist communicates with the dental technologist with prescriptions, drawings and measurements taken from the patient. The most important aspect of this is a dental impression

Impression (dental)

A dental impression is an imprint of hard and/or suft tissues, formed with specific types of impression materials that is used in different area of dentistry including prosthetics , restorative, diagnosis and Oral and Maxillofacial surgery for both intra oral and or extra oral aims.The required...

 in to which the technologist flows a gypsum dental stone to create a replica of the patients anatomy known as a dental model. A technologist can then use this model for the construction of custom appliances.

Fixed Restorations

A fixed dental restoration is an appliance designed to replace a tooth or teeth that may be been lost or damage by injury, caries or other oral diseases. These restorations are distinguished from other restorations by the fact that once they have been placed by a dentists the patient can not remove them.
Such Restorations include; crowns, bridges, veneers, fixed implant restorations, inlays and onlays.

Removable Restorations

Removable restorations are dental appliances to replace one or more teeth that have been completely lost. These restorations ideally remain stable in normal function but can be removed by the patient for cleaning and at night. Removable restorations are either retained by the patients soft tissue as in full dentures, supported by other teeth as with partial dentures and overdentures or on implant attachments as with implant retained overdentures and partial dentures.

Maxillofacial

Maxillofacial dental technologist mostly work with Oral and maxillofacial surgeons

Oral and maxillofacial surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is surgery to correct a wide spectrum of diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. It is an internationally recognized surgical specialty...

 and make prosthesis for the face and eyes.

Orthodontics

Orthodontic technologist make removable orthodontic appliances with wires, springs and screws on prescription from and Orthodontist to either move teeth to form a more harmonious occlusion and aesthetic appearance of teeth or to maintain the position of previously moved teeth.

See also

• Dentistry
  Dentistry
  Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
  
  
• Dental auxiliary
  • Dental assistant
    Dental assistant
    Dental assistants assist the dental operator provide more efficient dental treatment, by preparing the patient for treatment, sterilizing instruments, passing instruments during the procedure, holding a suction device, exposing dental radiographs, taking impressions, and fabricating provisional...
    
    
  • Dental therapist
    Dental therapist
    A dental therapist receives specialized training in treating children's teeth and oral hygiene. Local dental regulations determine the duties therapists are able to perform...
    
    
  • Dental hygienist
    Dental hygienist
    thumb|right|300px|Dental hygienist holding a scalerA dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene. Local dental regulations determine the scope of practice of dental hygienists...
    
    
• Denturist
  Denturist
  A denturist, clinical dental technician or a dental prosthetist, is a member of the oral health care team who provides an oral health examination, takes impressions of the surrounding oral tissues, constructs and delivers removable oral prosthesis directly to the patient.They differ from...
  
  
• Orthodontic Technicians Association
  Orthodontic Technicians Association
  The Orthodontic Technicians Association is the professional body that represents orthodontic technology specialists in the United Kingdom affiliated with the British Orthodontic Society.-Offices:...