Hello from an old geezer

[oldretread]

Hello All,
69 year old geezer here. Hadn't held a wax spatula since 1971 until a week or two ago. Fell back into the trade by accident a couple of months ago. Old three pack and cook kinda guy.
Went in for an extraction and got kidnapped by the dentist. Mentioned in conversation that I had been a denture tech in the far distant past. Conversation went around to "Could you build me a mini denture lab?"
Being 69, retired, and not too bright, I said sure. Built the mini lab. Basically a tech work station, model trimmer, lathe, sink, water, electric so far. Still needs a lot of basics. Pressure pot, microwave oven etc. Dr. wants to use microwavable denture material to avoid the need for a three up sink/curing set up.
Lots of changes in the past 35 years...but much is the same if everything I have perused on the net is any indication.
I am sure I will need the advice and knowledge that is here on the site and in the heads of the "real techs".
Have pity on an old guy if he asks stupid questions.

oldretread

[trisha]

Hello Oldretread and Welcome~

By now I am sure you have heard that there are NO stupid questions.

You came to the right place for answers. Unfortunately I will probably be of no help, as I am in ortho. But you have a lot of brains here to pick.

trisha

[labdude]

Keep checking in. There is bound to be someone to help. I'm in ortho like Trisha. I have had minimal training in denture back in about 1972 or so. I just stayed with ortho.
Good luck to you.
Mike.

[TheLabGuy]

Welcome, and congrats on getting back in the trade, just ask away, we'll be able to help you here.

[Travis]

Hi oldretread, glad your hear. I can help with what I know.

I dont do dentures but I can give you some help.

Not much has changed in the processing of dentures. When I have to do a setup I use two pots, one for boiling water the other to dump the wax into. The same pot that I use for boiling I also use to cure the acrylic.

They do make some nice Washout/Boilout/Curing units that are small and clean looking.

The new thing in dentures is pressing the acrylic into the mold. It would be a good investment if this is your area of work.

Even using the microwave setup you will still need two bins of water.

Check out this link, it looks like it also cures the acrylic.
Ivoclar Vivadent - SR Ivocap Injection System

Lathe
Hand piece (optional)
Fask
Flask compressor
Washout/Boilout unit
Microwave or some curing setup
Another lathe for polishing

[Denturist]

Welcome oldretread from a Denturist in Oregon.
happy to help if I can.

[yooper886]

Hi oldretread,

I own my own denture laboratory in Michigan and would be more then happy to help you out also setting up your lab. I also us the Ivocap injection system if you have questions.

[Denturist]

Originally Posted by Travis

Hi oldretread, glad your hear. I can help with what I know.

I dont do dentures but I can give you some help.

Not much has changed in the processing of dentures. When I have to do a setup I use two pots, one for boiling water the other to dump the wax into. The same pot that I use for boiling I also use to cure the acrylic.

They do make some nice Washout/Boilout/Curing units that are small and clean looking.

The new thing in dentures is pressing the acrylic into the mold. It would be a good investment if this is your area of work.

Even using the microwave setup you will still need two bins of water.

Check out this link, it looks like it also cures the acrylic.
Ivoclar Vivadent - SR Ivocap Injection System

Lathe
Hand piece (optional)
Fask
Flask compressor
Washout/Boilout unit
Microwave or some curing setup
Another lathe for polishing

The Ivo cap system is the best..... I would quit if I had to go back to hand packing to process dentures....LOL