About Ed Zigo: Upon graduation from Mercer High School, Mercer, Pennsylvania, Ed enlisted into the United States Air Force. There, he received training in the field of dental technologies upon completion of basic training. The school trained him in all aspects of dental technologies available at that time. Those included Crown and Bridge, Ceramics (fixed appliances) and dentures, partials, TMJ appliances and orthodontics (removable) were also taught. The fixed side of dental technologies is considered the "high end money maker" or the class of the profession. Removable appliances were also considered greatly in need, but they incurred more expense plus the time to fabricate sometimes intricate devises that needed better manual dexterity. Ed was the only one to "specialize" in removables out of the rest of his class.
Ed remembers “I felt if so many people are going one way, who will do this other aspect? It presented upon me that if I'm going to do this, I want to be the best at it.” So, thus starts the events that have brought him to this point in his career as a Master removable technician.
As a Vietnam Airman, Ed was in the "Hospital Squadon," which was the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron Headquarters Hospital. “Our duties were not, as we found out, being apprentice dental technicians. We were more of Medics, dental assistants, fighters, and then, maybe a role in fabricating a dental device for a veteran who has had his/her jaw blown away, upper maxilla with nose basically gone, and then, oh yes, false eyes!! Not one thing was taught too us regarding these types of injuries, let alone what could be made for them” said Ed. At 18 years old, Ed was working hand in hand with Colonels, Majors and Captains, trying to create something for these soldiers to wear, until a more permanent restoration would be applied. Ed said “Those times I can never forget I can and will say though; the soldiers were all able to function with what we made. To this day, I still think about, wonder, what ever did eventually happen to them.” The type of impromptu appliance Ed created gave him a unique aspect on what has made him a more caring, understanding, and determined individual to achieve the "best at what I do." Ed said “The experience literally changed me forever, giving me a quite different outlook than an ordinary person graduating from a typical dental technician school.” Ed has been able to utilize this, as upon honorable discharge, his VA, GI bill (at that time) benefits, enabled him to continue his education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry. That year, and one year only, they created a crop of top notch technicians, all with similar stories and histories, from the area, as to continue a more advanced education in the dental lab field. Ed said “Today, I am the only one still in the field and in business. The others, still in the Western Pa. area, are currently leading different careers.”
Ed said “In a word, my laboratory is ‘caring.’ Other words may be cutting edge, years ahead, futuristic, visionary, exquisite, and total patient - doctor - lab team. But, mostly the main word is caring, as from my past experiences, I was trained to care for all people, that it is now transparent of my creations to all who are in need. I truly believe my God given ability is to help my fellow man/women/child. This life of mine has been predetermined, if the Lord grants me, I will humbly accept what is given.”
Ed personally creates and oversees all the technical work within the lab. Ed’s wife, Fabiola, does the accounting, bookkeeping and some pick up and deliveries of cases. Ed has been in this profession since 1972.
