Dental Lab Glossary

Clear, practical definitions for dental prosthetic terms — written for dental offices, not textbooks.

Materials & Techniques

Bite Registration

A bite registration records how the upper and lower jaws relate to each other. Learn why accurate bite records are essential for well-fitting prosthetics.

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Appliances

Bleaching Tray

A bleaching tray is a custom-fitted appliance used for at-home professional teeth whitening. Learn how they're made and why custom trays outperform generic ones.

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Materials & Techniques

Custom Tray

A custom impression tray is fabricated from a patient's study model for more accurate final impressions. Learn why custom trays produce better-fitting prosthetics.

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Prosthetics

Full Denture

A full denture replaces all teeth in an arch, relying on suction and tissue adaptation for retention. Learn about types, fabrication, and what to expect.

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Materials & Techniques

Impression

A dental impression is a negative replica of the teeth and tissues used to create accurate working models. Learn about materials, techniques, and common issues.

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Appliances

Night Guard

A night guard is a custom oral appliance worn during sleep to protect teeth from grinding and clenching. Learn about types, materials, and when to prescribe one.

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Prosthetics

Partial Denture

A partial denture replaces one or more missing teeth while clasping onto remaining natural teeth. Learn about types, materials, and when partials are recommended.

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Procedures

Rebase

A rebase replaces the entire acrylic base of a denture while preserving the existing teeth. Learn when rebasing is preferred over relining.

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Procedures

Reline

A reline resurfaces the tissue-fitting side of an existing denture to improve fit. Learn when relines are needed and the difference between hard and soft relines.

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Materials & Techniques

Shade Guide

A shade guide is a standardized set of tooth-colored tabs used to match prosthetic teeth to a patient's natural tooth color. Learn about shade systems and selection tips.

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