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Job Title: Dental Ceramist
Location: Virginia
Benefits: Full
Salary: 125-150k yearly DOE
Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled and artistic Dental Ceramist to join our state-of-the-art dental laboratory team. The Ceramist will be responsible for the start-to-finish creation of high-quality, custom ceramic dental restorations, ensuring exceptional aesthetics, precision fit, and optimal function as prescribed by dental professionals.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Fabrication and Artistry
- Read, interpret, and follow dental prescriptions, models, and digital scans with meticulous precision to fabricate custom dental restorations.
- Design and create various ceramic prosthetics, primarily crowns, bridges, veneers, inlays, and onlays, using materials such as porcelain, ceramics, zirconia, and composite resins.
- Perform all aspects of ceramic layering and buildup, including preparing and mixing porcelain powders to achieve the correct consistency and shade.
- Execute expert color matching, staining, glazing, and characterization techniques to achieve natural-looking aesthetics, translucency, and texture that blend seamlessly with the patient’s dentition.
- Utilize and maintain specialized equipment, including porcelain furnaces/ovens, model trimmers, articulators, and finishing tools.
Precision and Quality Control
- Check and adjust restorations for proper fit, contacts, and margins to ensure complete adaptation.
- Verify and adjust centric occlusion with opposing models to ensure correct bite and functional anatomy.
- Conduct thorough quality control inspections on all finished products to ensure they meet high internal standards and the exact specifications of the dental prescription.
- Apply external stain and glaze to restorations and fire porcelain at the correct temperature for the proper duration to ensure durability and color stability.
Technical and Collaborative
- Utilize modern digital dental technologies, including CAD/CAM software and digital scanning, for designing and milling restorations, where applicable.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with dentists, dental technicians, and laboratory staff to discuss case requirements, solve complex aesthetic challenges, and provide technical guidance.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace, adhering to all health, safety, and infection control regulations.
- Stay current on new dental materials, technologies, and ceramic techniques through continuous professional development.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Technical Skills
- Proven proficiency in ceramic layering, waxing, porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), and all-ceramic restorations (e.g., zirconia, E.max).
- Expertise in color matching and the principles of dental aesthetics and color theory.
- Thorough knowledge of dental anatomy, tooth morphology, and occlusion principles.
- Familiarity with CAD/CAM technology and digital dental workflows is a strong advantage.
Soft Skills
- Exceptional Manual Dexterity and Hand-Eye Coordination for working with small, delicate materials and tools.
- Artistic Aptitude and Attention to Detail for creating lifelike and aesthetically pleasing restorations.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple cases and meet strict deadlines.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required.
- Associate’s degree or certification from an accredited Dental Laboratory Technology program is highly desirable.
- Minimum of [Insert Number, e.g., 3-5] years of hands-on experience as a Dental Ceramist or specialized Dental Lab Technician.
Work Environment
- Work is performed in a dental laboratory setting.
- Potential exposure to dust, chemicals, and hazardous materials; adherence to all safety protocols is mandatory.
- Requires standing for extended periods and making repetitive motions.