In the dental laboratory field, laboratory owners and technicians alike are always looking for ways to increase productivity while maintaining a high standard of quality. Over the years, I have found a technique that may interest my fellow technicians -- flameless tooth setting.

The traditional way of setting teeth has been to wave a sheet of base plate wax over a flame and apply the wax to the model. Then the wax is softened a little more with an instrument that has been heated over a flame. The tooth is then placed into position.  The wax will have to be softened with a flame-heated instrument when the tooth needs repositioning. And every time wax is added it has to be waved over the flame. This takes time.

The flameless method is quicker and more efficient.

Equipment needed  (see figure 1)

• Soldering iron with stand
• Metal lidded wax pot with temperature control
• Standard bench lathe and/or hand piece

Getting started

A wax pot with a variable temperature control is very important. You must place the wax on the top of the pot. Adjust the temperature until the wax is at a workable consistency. You should be able to pull a small amount of wax off with your finger. (See figure 2.)

Grind the tooth to be set and use a small amount of wax to secure it. Use the soldering iron to seal the tooth down.  (See figures 3 and 4.)

Grind tooth to proper size.

Seal with soldering iron. This makes a nice smooth seal.

Advantages of flameless tooth setting:

• Saves valuable time.
• Uses less base plate wax.
• Working area stays cooler with no Bunsen burner flame.
• Less wax used on the set-up makes it easier for the waxer.
• You can use the soldering iron to melt wax from around the necks of the teethómaking it easier to see whole tooth, thus making it easier to check the long axis. (See figure 5.)