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Ways to earn more or open doors

• Ceramics

  Layering porcelain on crowns to match natural teeth. The most artistic and best-paid bench skill.

• Digital design and milling

  Designing crowns and aligners on screen and running 3D printers and milling machines. Labs are short of people who can do both.

• Implant work

  Custom parts for implant cases. Higher fees, fewer people who can do it.

• Owning a lab

  Small labs serve a few local dentists. The usual path after a decade at the bench.