Dental industry changes since 1947

In 1947 the National Health Service was introduced by Act of Parliament. For the first time patients could receive treatment free of charge whether it be medical, dental, optical or many other clinical disciplines. This meant that dental patients could demand dentures, extractions or restorative treatment that led the general public to abuse the NHS with some patients having a set of dentures for every day of the week! For the dental industry this came as a bonus, the demand for dental materials, both surgery and laboratory increased considerably.

It was the Labour government that in 1952 was forced into charging for items of treatment thus reversing the trend.

Up to then, denture teeth were in very short supply and manufacturers of laboratory materials struggled to keep up with the demand.

With this big change, many dental technicians, who were still known as mechanics, lost their jobs. Many had been employed directly by dentists rather than working in laboratories as we know today.  The materials were also different; dentures were made in vulcanite, rubber based material that was processed in a pressurised tank called a vulcaniser. The porcelain teeth were retained in the rubber base with gold plated wire or brass pins. Lower partial dentures were made using stainless steel lingual bars and prefabricated clasps.

The introduction of acrylic denture base material came in the early 1950’s. This material was chemically known as methyl methacrylate. The powder (polymer) and the liquid (monomer) were mixed together to form a dough which was then packed into the mould in a flask and then compressed. Any excess material was removed and the flask was placed in a clamp and cured in boiling water. The technique was similar to the vulcanite process but was much easier to use and more aesthetically pleasing.

There was also the benefit of a chemical bond between the acrylic teeth and the acrylic denture base.

Chrome cobalt, a cast metal material became more popular in the manufacture of predominately partial dentures, Inlays, crowns and bridges were cast in gold, which still remains the material of choice.

The equipment used by the technician became more sophisticated, for instance, anatomical articulators used for reproducing the relationship between the upper and lower jaws came into common use.

The introduction of ceramic crowns was possibly the greatest advance in aesthetic restorative materials, only to be surpassed by metal/ceramic (VMK) bridges and crowns, which were made by a cast metal base with a ceramic coating fused in a vacuum furnace. This enabled the dentist and the technician to produce a beautiful restoration with high strength.

Working conditions for the dental technician have improved immensely during the past half-century with the introduction of work benches specifically designed for the technician with dust extraction units and functional lighting.

Manufacturers of dental materials and equipment have to produce materials that meet European Standards (CE mark), which has brought about big advantages for the technician, the dentist, the patient and now the denturist.

And so congratulations to all those who have contributed so many improvements in the past 60 years.