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Lab Work

Whitening Trays

The Impression 

Prepare the impression. The impression is what we will use to register the mouth and also where we will pour the mix for the model. It is important to make the impression process quick because the mixture will settle fast. After the patient bites into the mix for about a minute it will set, and this will give us the outline of the inside of their mouth. 

Impression Mix

Pouring Model

A little while after taking the impression we can prepare for the model. To begin you must mix the materials for the model. This mixture cannot be too runny or else it will not stay in the impression. After the mixture is prepared with the right consistency, we can begin to pour it into the impression using the vibrating plate to help spread the mixture evenly throughout. Then we let it set for about 30 minutes. 

Pouring the Model

Construction

Apply Block Out on the model to each tooth that is to be whitened. Block Out is the place holder for where the whitening gel will sit. It is important that there is enough but not too much applied. Heat the mold for approximately four minutes to allow the block out to harden. From there we will place the mold on the drop machine which creates the whitening tray by "dropping" the heated material onto the mold. The material will form around the details of the mold and the machines unique suction feature will allow for more defined molding. 

Cutting the Model

Finishing

After the whiting tray has had time to fully form, you can cut away the extra pieces that accompany the mouthpiece. Make sure their is a slight break between the gum line and the whitening tray (approximately one millimeter. Now your whitening tray is free to use. Make sure that times you are not using it it stays on the model, and that you keep it as clean as possible. 

After you drop the material this is the product

Impression 

The Model

Dropping the Material for the Tray

Me Cutting the Model

Waxing a Tooth

Wax-ups are a major part of becoming a dentist for several reasons. At dental school waxing is important  to cast several crowns, onlays, and inlays in our pre-clinical classes. The other benefit to doing a wax-up is that you really learn the intricate anatomy of the tooth you are working on and it is really a great way to learn dental anatomy and have it become second nature to you (rather than memorizing it out of a textbook). While shadowing I would tend to get antsy, but luckily our lab had plenty of waxing material for me. 



When shadowing, I would tend to get restless. Having access to materials in the lab allowed me to be more hands on with dentistry. I got to learn about the individual intricacies of each tooth and try out some techniques the doctors use. My favorite part of waxing is watching the way the mouth fits together. It is fascinating. 

 

This is my wax up of tooth #31

These are the materials used during the waxing process. 

This picture shows me employing the anchor finer technique taught to me my Dr. Gus. 

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