Dental technicians can earn salaries equal to personnel in other health care occupations with similar training and experience....Technicians can realize significant satisfaction and rewards in commercial laboratories or may choose to be selfemployed by opening independent laboratories”

There are more than 38,000 active dental technicians and 7,000 Restorative Dental Technologists (formally educated and/or certified) in the U.S. today.

Restorative Dental Technologist (RDT), also referred to as a dental technician, is a skilled dental professional who works behind the scene as a significant member of the dental team. Upon a written prescription from a dental clinician, the RDT provides an essential support service for the dental profession. RDT’s design, fabricate and repair all types of custom made restorative dental prostheses to replace/restore either the partial or total loss of natural teeth with fixed and removable partial dentures and crowns.

RDT’s also complete various restorative implantology procedures to reconstruct teeth and root structures and they correct certain dental irregularities in neuromuscular dentistry to stabilize the bite and minimize the symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder with removable orthodontic appliances and dental orthotic devices. RDT professionals replace missing tissues of the face or body caused by disease, injuries or developmental abnormalities by making maxillofacial prosthetics.

Since most dentists utilize laboratory services, employment opportunities in this field are excellent. The majority of Restorative Dental Technologists work in commercial dental laboratories, which on average employ between 3-5 technicians. There are also larger laboratories employing more than ten technicians and some with more than 100 technicians. Additionally, some dentists employ Restorative Dental Technologists in their private dental offices.

Employment opportunities may also be available in dental schools, hospitals, maxillofacial laboratories, and companies that manufacture dental prosthetic materials. Restorative Dental Technology education programs also offer teaching positions for qualified technologists.

---

Wages and Salaries

The salary of a Restorative Dental Technologist/technician varies, depending upon the responsibilities associated with the particular position and the geographic location of employment. There is evidence that Restorative Dental Technologists/Technicians who have completed a formal training program will advance more rapidly in the field, resulting in higher lifetime earnings.

According to 2014 data provided by the State of California, average hourly earning for a dental laboratory technician ranges from $18.52 to $26.25. According to 2015 data provided by the National Association of Dental Laboratories, average annual Digital Designer salary is $52,380.

Many Restorative Dental Technologists/Technicians receive benefit packages from their employers, which may include health and disability insurance coverage, reimbursement for continuing education programs, paid vacations, and holidays. Finally, Restorative Dental Technologists/Technicians also have the option to own a private dental laboratory offering unlimited earnings potential.