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.