Dental micro torches often run on butane. They can be used for many purposes in a dental laboratory including light welding, melting wax or alloys and heating instruments. They are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased from any healthcare laboratory supply. They are often handheld and include a sturdy base for “hands free” usage. An important feature to look for is self-igniting. Once lit, a locking mechanism will keep the dental micro torch on. There should be adjustable air and gas intakes to customize the flame for each application, whether you want a large soft flame or a small jet flame. Dental micro torches are simple to use and require no set up time. It is a good idea to have a few of these on hand in your dental laboratory for a multitude of uses.