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Spc. Mark Romero of El Paso, Texas, holds dental models attached to an articulator in the dental lab at Dental Clinic #3, here. Romero has created green wax on the model to create a porcelain metal crown for one of the clinic’s patients, January 11, 2…
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Spc. Mark Romero of El Paso, Texas, holds dental models attached to an articulator in the dental lab at Dental Clinic #3, here, Jan. 11, 2013. This open model shows the two blue teeth that Romero will use to make a bridge over the space between…
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Spc. Mark Romero of El Paso, Texas holds dental models attached to an articulator in the dental lab at Dental Clinic #3, here, Jan. 11, 2013. Romero applies fused to prepare for a crown fabrication for the tooth cap. Romero was in the US.
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Spc. Mark Romero of El Paso, Texas mixes stone to create an impression to make a model in the dental lab at Dental Clinic #3, here, January 11, 2013. Dental Lab technicians make dentures, dentures, bite guards, crowns and bridges to replace…
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Dental lab technicians fabricate metal and porcelain dentures, dentures, bite guards, gold crowns, and bridges to replace teeth lost through neglect, disease, or injury.
Spc. Mark Romero of El Paso and a dental lab technician assigned to Dental Clinic #3 demonstrated the process of reconstructing a smile during an interview Friday.
“We’re giving people a chance to smile again,” Romero said.
Romero, who describes himself as kind and laid-back, also explained the process of making dentures.
“First, either the dentist will take an impression, or they’ll have one of us from the lab come take it,” Romero said.
Plaster or stone is then poured into the impression to make a detailed model for lab technicians to build. Once the stone models are set and dry, they are placed in an articulator that reproduces the movement of the jaw.
“From there, we can take paints and work on a single crown or group of teeth to make the replacement teeth,” Romero said. “When we have complex builds or a heavy workload, we send the models to the Army’s only dental lab at Fort Gordon, where the appliances are made and returned to us.
The mouth and teeth are very complicated,” Romero continued. “Our main concern is that patients are happy, that the prosthesis or denture is precisely made and that it is well adjusted for a smooth and comfortable fit.”
Romero, who graduated from Franklin High School in El Paso and continued his education at El Paso Community College, has worn the uniform for more than nine years. He joined the army to serve his country, support his family and receive education benefits.
“I also like the discipline and training,” Romero said.
