Dental Milling Technician

Job Title: Dental Milling Technician

**Job Description**:
As a Dental Milling Technician, you are responsible for operating computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) equipment to produce precision dental prosthetics, restorations, and appliances from digital designs. Your role involves using specialized milling machines, software, and materials to fabricate dental crowns, bridges, implants, and other custom-made dental devices according to dentist prescriptions and patient specifications. Your responsibilities include:

- CAD/CAM System Operation: Operate computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software and equipment to generate digital designs and milling toolpaths for dental restorations. Use 3D scanners to capture digital impressions of patients' teeth and oral structures.
- Material Preparation: Select appropriate dental materials, including zirconia, ceramics, metals, and polymers, for milling dental restorations based on prescription requirements, patient preferences, and clinical indications. Prepare materials for milling, including loading blanks and blocks into milling machines.
- Milling Machine Setup: Set up and calibrate dental milling machines, including CNC (computer numerical control) mills and 5-axis milling machines, to ensure accurate and precise milling of dental prosthetics. Install cutting tools, fixtures, and workpieces according to milling specifications.
- Milling Process Optimization: Optimize milling parameters, toolpaths, and cutting strategies to achieve desired surface finishes, dimensional accuracy, and fit for dental restorations. Monitor milling operations, adjust settings as needed, and troubleshoot issues to maintain quality standards.
- Quality Control and Inspection: Inspect milled dental restorations for accuracy, fit, and quality using visual inspection, measurements, and test fits. Verify dimensions, margins, occlusion, and surface smoothness against design specifications and dentist prescriptions.
- Finishing and Polishing: Perform post-milling finishing operations, such as trimming, polishing, and surface treatment, to refine the appearance and texture of dental restorations. Use hand tools, abrasive materials, and polishing compounds to achieve desired aesthetics and surface characteristics.
- Documentation and Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records of milling jobs, including job orders, material usage, milling parameters, and quality control checks. Document any deviations, reworks, or issues encountered during the milling process for traceability and quality assurance purposes.
- Equipment Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance tasks, cleaning, and lubrication of milling equipment to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Conduct regular inspections, calibrations, and repairs as needed to keep machines in good working condition.
- Compliance and Safety: Adhere to regulatory requirements, safety protocols, and infection control measures applicable to dental laboratory operations. Follow established procedures for handling hazardous materials, waste disposal, and personal protective equipment (PPE) usage.
- Collaboration and Communication: Collaborate with dental laboratory team members, including dentists, dental technicians, and support staff, to coordinate workflow, share information, and address patient needs. Communicate effectively with dentists and clients to clarify specifications, resolve issues, and ensure customer satisfaction.

Qualifications:

- Associate degree or certification in dental technology, dental laboratory science, or a related field. Additional training or coursework in CAD/CAM technology and dental milling is preferred.
- Hands-on experience with CAD/CAM software, dental milling machines, and digital impression systems commonly used in dental laboratories, such as Roland, Amann Girrbach, or Dentsply Sirona systems.
- Proficiency in reading dental prescriptions, interpreting digital designs, and following milling specifications for various dental prosthetics, including crowns, bridges, veneers, and implant restorations.
- Strong attention to detail, manual dexterity, and spatial awareness, with the ability to work with precision and accuracy in a fast-paced, production-oriented environment.
- Knowledge of dental anatomy, occlusion, and esthetics, with an understanding of dental materials, properties, and fabrication techniques used in milling dental restorations.
- Problem-solving skills, mechanical aptitude, and the ability to troubleshoot equipment malfunctions, tooling issues, and milling errors to ensure uninterrupted workflow and production efficiency.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, communicate technical information clearly, and provide exceptional customer service.
- Adherence to ethical standards, confidentiality requirements, and professional guidelines governing dental laboratory practice, including HIPAA regu