Dental ceramists often create a wax copy of teeth using instruments such as wax carvers and wax spatulas along with a plaster impression of a patient's mouth. After creating the wax teeth, they develop the metal framework for the patient's teeth and place multiple layers of porcelain on the framework so that the device matches the true color of the rest of the teeth in the patient's mouth. Afterward, dental ceramists bake the porcelain onto the metal and make final adjustments, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Dental ceramist training programs teach students how to perform these and many other fabrication-related duties.
Although dental ceramists can be trained on the job, many employers look for those who have completed one-year certificate or two-year associate degree programs in dental laboratory technology through vocational/technical schools or community colleges. To get into these programs, students typically must have a high school diploma or GED. High school classes that help prepare students for these programs include art, science and drafting, according to Education-Portal.com. Four-year bachelor's degree programs also are available in this field and might require students to submit standardized test scores. The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association accredits dental ceramist training programs.
Classes in a dental ceramist training program cover topics such as dental occlusion, dental anatomy/physiology, ethics and dental materials such as acrylic resins and porcelain. Students also learn about both fixed and removable partial dentures. In addition to studying how to create products such as crowns, students learn how to develop teeth accessories such as orthodontic retainers and braces, according to CollegeCrunch.org. Training programs additionally teach students how to repair prosthetic devices as well as create plaster models from dental impressions and place them on devices that mimic how a patient's jaw moves.
After completing dental ceramist training, students find work in a variety of settings, focusing specifically on making porcelain and acrylic restorations. They can find employment in hospital dental clinics, private dental practices, commercial or military dental labs and dental product manufacturers. Those with a bachelor's degree in this field also can enter laboratory management. The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology additionally offers certification to lab technicians, which is voluntary in most states but makes these professionals more employable.
The demand for dental ceramists remains strong as an increasing number of elderly individuals are keeping more of their natural teeth and seeking complementary products such as crowns and bridges. Employment of dental laboratory technicians, which include dental ceramists, is projected to grow 14 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median annual wages of these professionals in May 2008 were $34,170, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics.