Smile Magicians

Senior Airman Heather Nowak, 2nd Dental Squadron lab technician, uses a cast trimmer to grind away excess stone in the dental lab on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 25. After excess stone is removed, lab technicians use hand pieces to remove unwanted stone from tighter areas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Smile Magicians

Senior Airman Heather Nowak, 2nd Dental Squadron lab technician, writes in a case log in the dental lab on Barksale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 25. Case logs are used to track work and document the patients' prescriptions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Smile Magicians

Senior Airman Heather Nowak, 2nd Dental Squadron lab technician, wipes a counter in the dental lab on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 25. The dental lab makes implants, retainers, night and sports guards for military personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Smile Magicians

Senior Airman Heather Nowak, 2nd Dental Squadron lab technician, applies wax to a cast in the dental lab on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 25. To apply wax to casts, lab technicians heat dental instruments with Bunsen burners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Smile Magicians

Master Sgt. Denny Shaffer, 2nd Dental Squadron, melts gold with a torch in the dental lab on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 25. Gold crowns that do not fit the wearer are melted down for later use to save resources.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Smile Magicians

Dental lab technicians work on casts in the dental lab on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 25. The dental lab makes implants, retainers, night and sports guards for military personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Smile Magicians

Senior Airman Heather Nowak, 2nd Dental Squadron lab technician, sets a cast with stone to dry in the dental lab on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 25. In order to make a stone cast, patients must have a mold of their mouth made. Once the mold is created, it is taken to the dental lab to be cast. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Smile Magicians

Senior Airman Heather Nowak, 2nd Dental Squadron lab technician, uses a cast trimmer to grind away excess stone in the dental lab on Barksdale Air Force, La., Jan. 25. Once a cast is complete, technicians can place both casts into an articulator to ensure they match. The articulator can be adjusted to simulate the natural movement of a jaw. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Smile Magicians

Senior Airman Heather Nowak, 2nd Dental Squadron lab technician, uses a hand piece to grind away excess stone in the dental lab on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 25. Hand pieces are used to remove excess stone in hard to reach areas of a cast. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Smile Magicians

Senior Airman Heather Nowak, 2nd Dental Squadron lab technician, stirs stone mixture in the dental lab on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 25. Stone mixture starts as a powder and turns into a clay like substance when mixed with water. Once mixed, technicians must work fast to set the mold before it dries.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Smile Magicians

Melted gold glows after being heated by a blow torch in the dental lab on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Jan. 25. In order for gold to melt it must be heated to 1,947 degrees Fahrenheit.(U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Micaiah Anthony)(RELEASED)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Smile Magicians

Published Jan. 27, 2012