Investing in dental chairs is one of the most important equipment decisions a dentistry practice will make. The right chairs improve ergonomics for dentists, enhance patient comfort, and enable efficient examination and treatment workflows. With the wide selection of dental chair types, features, and options available today, choosing the optimal model for your practice may feel overwhelming.
In this comprehensive dental chair buying guide, we’ll explore the key factors and components to evaluate when selecting new operator chairs. Whether you run a solo practice or large clinic, this deep dive will ensure you find the perfect dental chairs tailored to your space, budget and functional needs.
Core Criteria for Evaluating Dental Chairs
With so many models and manufacturers to choose from, it’s essential to start by making a checklist of must-have chair performance criteria. Here are some of the top factors successful dental practices analyze:
Adjustability – Chairs should offer ample adjustment range to accommodate patients of all ages and physical proportions. Look for chairs with height variability, backrest tilt, headrest tilt and height changes, extendable footrests, and sliding seats.
Ergonomics – Well-designed chairs reduce strain and fatigue for dentists during procedures, enhancing comfort and career longevity. Key ergonomic features include saddle seats, lumbar supports, armrests and tilt/swivel motions.
Upholstery – Breathable vinyl or leather upholstery withstands years of regular cleaning and high traffic. Double upholstery adds an extra fluid barrier. Sturdy reinforced seams prevent rips or leaks.
Integrated Tools – Built-in LED lights, intraoral cameras, digital sensors and handpiece tubing simplify implementing digital dentistry with no extra equipment clutter.
Articulation – A chair should move fluidly between flat, upright and tilted positions with control levers or foot pedals. Smooth motors and lifts enable precise chair positioning for procedures.
Weight Capacity – Basic chairs accommodate up to 350 lbs but bariatric models support up to 600 lbs, meeting the needs of patients of size. Sturdy bases and wide seats provide additional support.
Hygiene – Upholstery, joints, handles and controls should have non-porous surfaces and removable parts to facilitate rigorous cleaning between patients.
Warranty – Expect at least 5-10 year coverage on chair frames, lifts, motors and mechanics subject to daily use and wear-and-tear.
By evaluating chairs across all these criteria plus office space needs, you can narrow down choices to models matching your functional requirements and budget.
Reviewing Today’s Dental Chair Types
With criteria in mind, let’s examine popular dental chair categories and their distinguishing features:
Electric Powered Chairs – Electric chairs utilize touch consoles or foot pedals to provide powered positioning of features like height, tilt, legrests, and head and back angles. This enables precision adjustments for ergonomics.
Hydraulic Lift Chairs – In hydraulic chairs, a manual foot pump controls chair height for some powered adjustability. Other features are manual. Lift columns are extremely durable and reliable.
Mechanical Reclining Chairs – Basic manual chairs offer tilt capability via levers or knobs on the chair sides, but lack powered positioning. These simple chairs provide the most budget-friendly option.
Specialized Dental Chairs – Oral surgery, orthodontic, pediatric and geriatric chairs provide customized features tailored for those treatment specialties like playful pediatric themes or face-down oral surgery positions.
Attachment Options for Seamless Treatments
Beyond the chair itself, attachments create an integrated workspace to streamline treatments. Here are must-have add-ons:
Integrated Tools – Built-in LED dental lights, intraoral cameras, digital radiology sensors and curing light wands avoid equipment clutter.
Articulating Headrests – Adjustable headrests with tilt and height changes allow optimal patient positioning for procedures and comfort.
Trays – Swing arm trays and customizable holder racks keep handpieces and instruments within the dentist’s reach zone.
Monitors – Mounted displays show digital radiographs, intraoral camera feeds, charts and education materials for patients to view.
Cuspidor – Rotatable bowls with water lines simplify oral rinsing and instrument cleaning/sterilization during procedures.
Foot Pedals – Pedals allow dentists to control chair movements, camera feeds and dental tools without using hands or diverting focus from the patient.
With optimized attachments, dental chairs become complete treatment workstations facilitating examination, diagnosis, cleaning, restoration and other processes from start to finish.
Specialized Dental Chair Features
Beyond standard options, many higher end dental chairs now integrate technologies to further enhance clinical workflows:
- Multi-layer upholstery with fluid proof barriers plus antimicrobial materials for unrivaled infection control.
- Integrated intraoral scanners enable direct digital impressions without traditional impression materials.
- Diagnostic sensors built into headrests capture panoramic, cephalometric and 3D radiographic images.
- In-chair digital patient education with mounted monitors to explain procedures, payment plans, and oral care.
- Integrated micro-cameras to capture clinical photos and streaming video for tele-dentistry.
- Mounted laser instruments for in-chair procedures like cavity preparations.
- Integrated ultrasonic cleaners so instruments can be sterilized within the dental chair unit.
Specialized features enable clinicians to utilize cutting-edge digital diagnostics, dentistry, and infection prevention right from the chair.
Buying Considerations
Here are the top factors for dental teams to weigh when selecting a new chair:
- Sturdiness and Durability – Metal bases and robust construction support decades of all-day use. Polyurethane upholstery withstands frequent cleaning.
- Design Ergonomics – Ensure chairs reduce strain and effort for dentists through positioning, tilt capabilities, armrests and lumbar support.
- Maintenance and Repair – Check that key components like lifts and upholstery are replaceable. Warranties add protection.
- Infection Control – All materials and surfaces should enable thorough disinfection after each patient. Smooth non-porous materials make cleaning easier.
- Power Options – Evaluate electric, hydraulic or mechanical chairs to find the right balance of positioning adjustability and affordability.
- Patient Comfort Features – From seamless upholstery to lumbar support and postural alignment, optimal chairs prioritize patient relaxation.
- Room Space – Measure operatories and account for necessary clearance zones around chairs during reclining and height changes.
- Budget – Weigh costs versus quality, longevity, ergonomics and features. Refurbished chairs provide savings on some models.
Take time to test operator chairs in person and evaluate costs versus value over the chair’s lifespan. An optimal chair fits the space, allows for visual and physical access during procedures, keeps providers pain-free, and satisfies patients.
Specialized mobility, powered positioning controls, ergonomics, integrated dental technology, plus exceptional durability – these distinguish a high end dental chair. With attention to detail during selection, dentists can find the perfect chairs to boost practice productivity, efficiency and comfort for years to come. Consult dental equipment specialists for help identifying and trialing chairs that best meet your needs. Investing in superb dental chairs pays dividends through enhanced performance and improved dentistry.