Dental Laboratory Training Program
Objectives:	To prepare students for competency as Dental Technicians. The philosophy of the Dental Laboratory Training Course at Adams College is to offer a career educational program designed to prepare successful graduates with the specialty skills needed to secure employment in the elite areas of crown and bridge restorations and dental ceramics. The course objective is to prepare students for entry-level positions in today's modern dental laboratory. Crown and bridge restorations and dental ceramics continue to be the fastest growing, high demand facet of dental technology that offers excellent income potential and rewarding careers.
Instruction:	Lectures/Practical Laboratory Experience
Length:	1,056 Hours/44 Weeks
Classes:	Mon – Thursday Morning Class 9:00am – 2:00 pm Afternoon Class : 2:00-6:00pm Evening Class 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm Friday Open Lab 9:30 am – 3:30 pm / Open lab
Textbooks:	Ney Basic Cast Restorations J.M. Ney Company Fixed Restorative Techniques Henry Murray & Troy Sloder
Grading:	Passing grade is C or 75 % on all written and practical exams.

Class Overview

MODEL (1) & (2) [210 HOURS]
Students learn to recognize the various shapes of maxillary (16) and mandibular (16) teeth, totaling 32 teeth. Instruction includes demonstrations and making basic wax models of each individual tooth. Students master the use of basic carving tools and various carving techniques. <Practical Test>

TOOTH MORPHOLOGY [75 HOURS]
Students learn the names and functions of each tooth. Instruction includes lectures and materials from texts. Students must pass a test on tooth morphology before they are allowed to study anatomy. <Written Test >

ANATOMY [105 HOURS]
Students learn the detailed anatomical structures of each tooth and how the teeth work together. During this phase of instruction, students learn to carve the anatomical details with efficiency and precision. Students progress to the next phase only when they demonstrate a complete mastery of the anatomical features of all 32 human teeth. <Written Test>

REMOVABLE DIES [30 HOURS]
Students learn how to fabricate removable dies from solid models. The drill and use of dowel pins are studied and applied in the laboratory. In addition, accurate replacement procedures and contacts will be studied. At the end of this phase, students will know how to prepare the working die for other detailed procedures. <Practical Test>

DESIGN CONSIDERATION [30 HOURS]
Students learn to design models with proper attention to anatomy, functional relationship, and esthetic quality. Students will study anatomic contour, axial contour, and contouring for esthetics. <Practical Test>

WAX MODELING [281 HOURS]
Students learn a systematic approach to the production of wax patterns. During this phase of instruction students learn about the properties and manipulation of inlay wax, waxing sequence, and waxing techniques. <Practical Test>

SPRUING [45 HOURS]
Students learn how to properly provide a channel for the elimination of wax during burnout, how to form a passageway for the flow of molten alloy during casting, and how to compensate for shrinkage during solidification. <Practical Test>

INVESTING [30 HOURS]
Students learn the process that leads to the formation of a rigid refractory encasement for a wax pattern and the cast gold restoration that must fit the tooth or teeth for which it was made. <Practical Test>

BURNOUT AND CASTING [60 HOURS]
Students learn mold burnout where the wax or plastic model is eliminated and an empty chamber is created for the mold to expand. In casting, the teeth mold is heated in order to form metal models of teeth. Students learn about torch melting, fluxing, cleaning sprues and buttons, and casting temperatures. <Practical Test>

PORCELAIN I [95 HOURS]
Students learn to make ceramic teeth replicas or crowns from dental patients' original model. <Practical Test>

PORCELAIN II [95 HOURS]
Students learn how to make ceramic bridges and pontics, how to properly contour the ceramics, and how to complete the process with glazing and polishing. Students demonstrating proficient ability in completing the tasks of porcelain II are allowed to graduate and receive their diploma. <Practical Test>

TOTAL CLOCK HOURS: 1,056

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES
Instruction in the Dental Lab Training Course is highly individualized. Students' previous knowledge is assessed through practical, hands-on demonstrations. The instructors work with students on a one-on-one basis for the majority of class sessions. For the most part, lectures are procedural instructions designed to increase students' skills and proficiency. Therefore, these types of lectures are appropriate for the individualized study pace setting. Within this structure, students are able to learn the processes and techniques required of Dental Technicians and are able to apply their knowledge by actually making teeth and crowns.

Program Length

6 Hours per day (actual class time)
4 Days per week
24 Hours per week
44 Weeks (Average Completion Time)

1,056 Total clock hours

 (Alternative schedules are available to meet individual needs)

For International Students
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