What is a Dental Technician?
A dental technician is a highly skilled member of the dental team. They are not seen when you go to the dental surgery because they work in dental laboratories, where work for several surgeries may be undertaken.
Dental technicians train for three years before gaining registration. The modern qualification is Dental Technology - BSc (Hons), and the qualified technician will have skills in denture construction, orthodontic appliances (braces) or ceramics (crowns and bridges). Usually a technician will go on to specialise in one of these areas.
What is a Clinical Dental Technician?
A clinical dental technician (CDT) must first be a dental technician before they can commence further training to qualify and register with the General Dental Council which oversees dental registration in the UK.
CDTs can treat patients, mainly for denture treatments, but also for mouthguards and anti-snoring devices. Depending on the needs of the patient, a dentist may need to see the patient first and decide upon a treatment plan. A CDT will inform the patient if this is the case and may direct them to a dentist with whom they have a good working relationship. A CDT can work in the same building as the dentist or independently at their own practice.
Why would I go directly to a Clinical Dental Technician?
Many people who wear dentures prefer to go directly to CDTs because they have a deep phobia of dental surgeries! Some patients just prefer dealing with the person who will actually be setting the teeth in position and making the denture from start to finish. This means they can communicate their expectations directly rather than through the dental surgeon.
The CDT will direct the patient to a dentist for a dental examination at the beginning of a treatment if the patient has some natural teeth, dental implants or roots from natural teeth still remaining. This will often be included in the cost of treatment, and the CDT will use the dentist’s directions to ensure a successful treatment outcome.
Many progressive dental practices are employing CDTs in the same way they use dental hygienists, to free up the dentist’s time to specialize in other treatments.
What materials are used in the construction of dentures?
In the past, dentures have been made from all sorts of materials including human teeth, gold, ivory, wood, stainless steel and vulcanised rubber! However, in modern times acrylic plastic and chrome cobalt alloy have been the dominant materials, used because of their workability, hard wearing and bio-compatibility in the mouth.
Plaster of Paris and wax are also used, but only to obtain the final denture, which is in fact a custom-made medical appliance, and as such the manufacturer (CDT and/or dentist) has to register with the overseeing body.
The pink-coloured denture base material is the same acrylic plastic the denture teeth are made from. There is a chemical bond or weld securing modern teeth to the base, whereas previously used porcelain teeth did not have this bond, and are vary rarely used these days for this and other reasons.
The range or shades and quality of the teeth vary greatly, with the more expensive quality brands having multiple layers of colouring. Just as in the manufacture of any item, the quality of the materials used in construction determines to a large extent the quality of the finished product.
Bath Denture Service uses very good quality materials to give the customer the very best finished product.
How much will I pay for my treatment?
Bath Denture Service does not aim to be a cheap alternative to the large dental practice; however it does strive to give a personalised service, tailored to meet the needs of each individual client.
Getting away from the traditional clinical environment we endeavour to take the greatest time and care to listen, and in doing so achieve an end result that is pleasing, giving you a smile to be proud of.
Click here to see our pricing structure and other important information about your treatment.
How long will it take to make my new denture?
This depends very much on the number of teeth the denture replaces and the design of the denture. As a rough guide, an all acrylic denture would take approximately three weeks to make, while a more complex design with possibly a lightweight metal framework, might take up to six weeks to construct. This could mean attending for treatment twice in some weeks.
Further visits may be needed to review and make adjustments to the denture after fitting.
Why does it take this amount of time to complete treatment?