Introduction: The field of dentistry is constantly evolving and providing patients with increasingly better, biocompatible, and durable solutions for replacing missing or damaged teeth. One of the latest innovations in the field of dental laboratory prosthetics is the use of all-ceramic restorations made of lithium disilicate, which has proven to be an exceptionally strong, aesthetic, and biocompatible material. However, the production of all-ceramic restorations requires the use of some hazardous substances that may pose a risk to dental laboratory technicians with prolonged and improper exposure. In this seminar paper, we will create an all-ceramic lithium disilicate restoration using two methods: hot pressing technology and CAD/CAM technology. At the same time, we will describe the hazardous substances encountered during the fabrication process and the necessary protective measures for both methods to prevent potential diseases and dangers that may arise from improper protection. Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to investigate the hazardous substances to which dental laboratory technicians are exposed during the production of all-ceramic lithium disilicate restorations, analyze the associated health risks, propose appropriate protective measures, and determine the safer production technology - hot pressing or CAD/CAM. Methods: In the theoretical part of the paper, we analyzed professional literature in different languages, while the practical part of the paper involves the fabrication of the product in a dental laboratory using hot pressing technology and CAD/CAM technology. Results: In the results, we have detailed the process of creating two full-ceramic lithium disilicate veneers using hot pressing technology and CAD/CAM technology. Our thesis also includes a comparison of the level of exposure of the laboratory dental technician to various hazards during the manufacturing of veneers using both aforementioned technologies. Discussion and Conclusion: Our research revealed that the exposure of the laboratory dental technician to chemical, biological, physical, and ergonomic hazards is greater when making full-ceramic lithium disilicate veneers using hot pressing technology compared to CAD/CAM technology. We found that the automated and computer-assisted CAD/CAM technology reduces direct interaction with hazardous materials and decreases physical hazards. Despite this, it remains essential to follow safety measures, such as the use of personal protective equipment, to mitigate the risks that are still present in both technologies.
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