McConnell’s hidden treasure: The dental lab

An assortment of dental prostheses are displayed on a counter July 23, 2018, in the dental lab at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The dental lab is able to produce both fixed and removable dental appliances for active duty patients. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alan Ricker)

A dental lab technician cuts a dual-laminate night guard off of a mold July 23, 2018, in the dental lab at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The guard is a removable dental prosthesis that protect Airmen from grinding their teeth during their sleep. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alan Ricker)

Tech. Sgt. Carlos Espitia, 22nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron dental lab technician, smooths a dual-laminate night guard July 23, 2018, in the dental lab at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Espitia explained that attention to detail is important so the patient is comfortable with their guard. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alan Ricker)

Tech. Sgt. Carlos Espitia, 22nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron dental lab technician, polishes a dual-laminate night guard July 23, 2018, in the dental lab at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Espitia removed excess material from the guard, allowing the patient to wear the guard comfortably. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alan Ricker)

A dental lab technician holds a newly cut dual-laminate night guard July 23, 2018, in the dental lab at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Espitia smooths and polishes the removable dental appliance after cutting it so the patient can wear the guard comfortably. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alan Ricker)

A dental lab technician compares a finished and unfinished dual-laminate night guards July 23, 2018, in the dental lab at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The dual-laminate night guard is made with a soft interior for comfort and with a hardened exterior to protect its user from grinding their teeth while sleeping. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alan Ricker)

Tech. Sgt. Carlos Espitia, 22nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron dental lab technician, fastens an enamic block into a computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing unit July 23, 2018, in the dental lab at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The CAD/CAM allows Espitia to scan moldings and design fixed dental prostheses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alan Ricker)

A computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing unit mills an enamic block July 23, 2018, in the dental lab at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The CAD/CAM used water to keep the drill bits from overheating during the tooth-designing process. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alan Ricker)

Tech. Sgt. Carlos Espitia, 22nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron dental lab technician, displays a finished dental crown July 23, 2018, in the dental lab at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. A crown is cemented into a patient’s mouth and can last for approximately 20 to 25 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alan Ricker)

Rows of tooth cards are set in a drawer July 23, 2018, in the dental lab at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Dental lab technicians use tooth cards as a quick reference for teeth shapes and colors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alan Ricker)