Tom Zaleske

Uses for GRADIA Light Body from GC America in 2 secondary processes.

Vacuum forming and microwave-cured resin allowed one lab to refine the denture fabrication process without additional chair time.

This adapted tray technique streamlines the master impression process and the records appointment into a single session, condensing 2 appointments into 1.

How one laboratory technician uses consistent communication steps to equate to consistent results in the fabrication of removable prosthetics.

Understanding bonding can ensure the longevity of a hybrid treatment.

Tom Zaleske explains a revolutionary new way to make sure your substructures, frames, implant bars and more look natural in the mouth.

Tom Zaleske explores some of the challenges facing dental labs, and how he thinks technicians can learn to love their careers.

Taking advantage of a highly ignored fabrication and marketing tool.

Like most business owners, I am always looking to find multiple uses for products I use around the laboratory. The goal is to consolidate product purchases and at the same time provide quick, consistent, quality results.

Several authors over the years have written about the benefits of using processed baseplates as the surest way to present a stable, retentive platform on which to take bite registration records and set denture teeth on for try-in evaluation. Other benefits include providing the exact fit to be expected prior to the finish of the case, and providing a treatment tool to help clinicians illustrate the deficiency or success of treatment expectation to their patient.

When I was asked to submit an Editor’s Choice list for 2013, I wanted to select products or services that not only improved my outcomes, but also warranted mention because of the commitment each company makes to providing excellent service and technical support.

A little forethought can go a long way in delivering the best possible comprehensive restorative service.

This time-saving model technique is an example of the way profound results can be realized with seemingly simple products.

With the growth of denture tooth options available in the market, and the growing reliance on the dental technician to use clinically provided information to select teeth, it’s valuable to understand what a particular tooth brand offers, and how it fits into your laboratory business model.

Any time removable prosthetic technicians congregate, the conversation eventually turns to dilemmas faced in the lab. There’s no shortage of common problem situations for removable technicians to discuss, but many times questions arise about tooth de-bonding or delamination between the denture tooth and acrylic base.

Don’t let its lack of sophistication fool you into believing this product has no value. That should be the “tag line” for a pair of products I stumbled across last year and started using in my removable prosthetic laboratory shortly afterward.

You would have to be living under a rock if you’re a dental technician and have not heard about, read about, or become involved in the exciting changes our industry is and will be experiencing in the next decade.

During my travels across the country I come in contact with many removables laboratories feeling a disconnect between themselves and how they will fit into and service the developing technologies used in dental practices. My advice is to become a student of the game and look for opportunities that accommodate how deep you want to get involved. 

Boutique lab. I really dislike that moniker used by many to describe laboratories that deliver a more comprehensive end product than the norm.

Once you establish a place in your toolbox for photographic laboratory tracking and realize the benefit, why stop there? Let’s now talk about having our clients use digital cameras allowing us to “dial-in” case specifics to individual patient esthetics.

I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.