A dental laboratory is a specialized facility where skilled technicians make custom dental appliances. They help dentists fabricate devices like retainers and expanders for patient care. Labs convert impressions into fully functional dental products using advanced technology and materials. Here are ways dental labs support orthodontics:
Custom Orthodontic Appliances
Orthodontic treatments usually require appliance adjustments throughout treatment to make sure they provide the best fit and function during all orthodontic treatment phases. Labs craft custom retainers, expanders, and mouthguards using impressions provided by orthodontists. Materials such as medical-grade plastics and metals are safe for oral use and provide durability.
High-Precision Digital Fabrication
Dental labs use advanced digital scanning technology to take exact oral measurements from orthodontist-provided scans or mouth impressions. Computer-aided design creates virtual models that can be manipulated to estimate teeth and jaw movement during orthodontic treatment. This allows lab technicians to create multiple appliances for a single patient without waiting for additional scans. Digital adjustments can also be made before the appliances are produced to verify they attach easily to patients’ brackets.
Retainers and Maintenance Appliances
Retention devices help maintain the results of months or years of orthodontic work. These appliances prevent newly positioned teeth from moving or shifting to unwanted places. Some retainer types include:
- Clear acrylic retainers support long-term wear by offering a discreet appearance.
- Bonded wire, or fixed retainers, provide continuous support since they do not have to be removed.
- Hawley retainers are removable appliances that are easy to clean to promote oral hygiene.
Customized retainers enable orthodontists to address patients’ specific retention challenges. Some orthodontists may recommend a combination of retention systems, using fixed and removable components, to maintain treatment results.
Material Versatility
Dental labs use various materials, including flexible nylon, rigid acrylics, and ceramics. These materials usually provide better durability and comfort features for long-term wear. Flexible nylon is often comfortable for patients with sensitive mouth tissues. Biocompatible materials make dental appliances safe for extended contact with oral tissues and structures. Lab technicians can also match patient preferences for color options, including clear, tooth-colored, and colored.
Custom Abutments
Some orthodontic treatments require abutments to connect implants to prosthetic devices. These components should be compatible with a patient’s existing orthodontic hardware, such as brackets or aligners. Titanium and zirconia, which are durable and biocompatible, are often selected for abutments since they support chewing pressure.
Transitional Prosthetics
Dental labs can also create transitional prosthetics or temporary solutions for each phase of the active orthodontic treatment. Transitional prosthetics are usually color-matched to the surrounding teeth for a discrete appearance. Their removable components also make it easy to adjust orthodontic appliances.
Lab technicians design brackets, wires, and other alignment tools using specialized interfaces. Flexible acrylics allow appliances to adapt as teeth move. Components can be swapped out to match the progress in the treatment timeline. Flipper designs and other partial dentures can occupy spaces during tooth movement phases. Prepared teeth can be protected with temporary crowns that allow the application of continued orthodontic force.
Work With Dental Labs
Orthodontic treatment outcomes depend on successful partnerships with dental laboratories. Lab technicians review treatment plans and develop a dental appliance with customized measurements, safe materials, and a comfortable fit. Healthy, beautiful smiles are ultimately the result of quality dental lab work. Contact a dental lab to get orthodontic devices for your patients today.
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