Dentist chair: the key element in a dental practice

The dentist chair is not just any object. And those who claim that they are not worth investing in it are not taking into account the needs of those who, every day, take care of their patients’ oral health. Dental units are the operating unit of the dental practice and it is also thanks to their efficiency that practitioners can work to the best of their ability.

Nowadays, dentistry is subdivided into several branches and dentists, just like doctors, are specialists who mainly perform the activities in which they have acquired the most expertise. Choosing a dentist chair depends on what type of dentistry is practised, the style of one’s work, whether or not a dentist relies on a nurse close by, whether the dentist is right-handed or left-handed.

An ideal dental unit is one that is carefree: its functionality, ergonomics, size and ease of handling should allow the dentist to work fully concentrated: feeling relaxed, without obstacles, always being able to count on reliable, friendly, faithful equipment.

The dental unit is the workstation that enables the dentist to appropriately treat his patients and, as such, is the central element of any dental practice. It is a complex piece of equipment with thousands of components. Mechanics, pneumatics, hydraulics, electronics, choice of materials, study of ergonomics and design all contribute to its realisation.

Let us now look at its elements:

Dental chair – Its function is essential because this is where the patient lies during treatment. Seat, backrest and headrest are adjustable to facilitate the work of the dental team and ensure patient comfort.

Dentist-side table – it contains all dental instruments (turbine, classic or induction or surgical micromotor, scaler, intra-oral camera, air/water syringe, etc.) and supports the electronic keyboard for dental unit and chair controls.

Nurse’s console – it usually houses the cannulae for surgical suction and any additional dental practice instruments (additional air/water syringe, polymerization lamps, intraoral camera).

Operating lamp – it is an essential element as it illuminates the surgical field, safeguarding the sight of the doctor and the patient.

Foot control – it operates the instruments, denitst chair movement and also switches the operating lamp, if any, on and off.

Cuspidor – in addition to the basin for patient rinsing, it may contain devices for separating dental amalgam, surgical suction and more.

We have seen that dental units have a common structure.
However, this does not mean that all dental units are alike. There are many differences, and an experienced eye recognises them.

At first sight, the dentist chair VITALI stand out for its modern aesthetics, with soft and attractive lines: a compact and functional whole that conveys solidity and harmony, thanks also to the absence of edges and roughness.

The fairings are made of ABS with a special anti-UV treatment, or of high-quality painted rigid polyurethane, and are assembled without visible screws to ensure aesthetics and promote hygiene. Also highly appreciated is the headrest, with pneumatic adjustment on both the horizontal and vertical axis, ensuring perfect head positioning for a direct view of the oral cavity.
Another distinguishing feature is the reduced size of the chair base, designed to give operators greater freedom of movement in any working position.

In VITALI dentist chair, the instrument table is available:

• with balanced arms (with safety block);
• with hanging tubes;
• with cart.

It is equipped with a general control panel in analogue version or with touch interface. In both solutions it can be used to set the instruments, lamp, cuspidor and chair.

In the case of the touch keypad the advantages are multiplied by 5, as the system allows more than one operator (up to 5) to set each dental unit function in a customised manner. What is more, the operating parameters of each single instrument can be memorised also according to the type of treatment. In addition, for hands-free operations, a keyboard control shifts all controls to the foot control joystick.

The peculiarity of each VITALI instrument table is its smooth movement thanks to 4 pivot points that ensure its perfect mobility. As for specific instruments, the dentist can choose from a wide range of instruments, including the latest generation instruments, available for all dental units, so the unit can be configured in a customised manner.

In VITALI dental units, in addition to the solid construction and quality of components, all rigorously made in Italy, great care is taken in manufacturing each single part, starting with the dentist’s chair.

In many respects, this is the most complex element of the dental unit and certainly the most important for patient comfort and the operating comfort of both dentist and nurse. The shape of the backrest comfortably accommodates the patient’s shoulders and allows the dentist to approach the patient while maintaining the most ergonomically correct posture, avoiding pain and discomfort.

The upholstery, also available in a self-modelling memory foam version, is extremely comfortable and promotes patient relaxation during treatment, especially prolonged treatments.

The folding right-hand armrest and the booster cushion for children are available on request.

Lastly, the anatomical headrest comes in 2 versions. The first features a mechanical/pneumatic operation, with an unblocking handle for forward/backward movements and a pneumatic button for upward/downward adjustments. The second features a fully pneumatic operation articulated on 3 axes, with a single unblocking button for forward/backward, right/left, and upward/downward movements. This latter solution makes it easier for the patient to maintain the same position during treatment.

VITALI dental units include configurations with a column-mounted cuspidor and others with a cuspidor attached to the chair, which is certainly the most comfortable and most requested version.

The cuspidor can be oriented to 90°or the spittoon alone can be oriented, an extremely practical solution especially for younger patients and the elderly.

Spittoons, which vary in design depending on the model, are all made of a ceramic single block, without drainage siphons, with an autoclavable filter and rinse spout.

The nurse’s console is available in several versions and can be mounted directly on the cuspidor or on an articulated or pantograph arm. It can be fitted with a general control keyboard or have cup filling and spittoon rinsing controls only.

The units are combined with LED operating lamps with customised electronics, which can be operated directly from the keyboard or foot control. They are glare-free, silent, low consumption, long-life and low-maintenance lamps.

The strength of the VITALI dentist chair is undoubtedly its multifunction electronic foot control. It operates all the instrumentation, moves the patient chair, controls the operating lamp, chair programmes, cuspidor functions and the temporary stop of surgical suction. The foot control is very stable and is available with or without cable. In the latter version, it has an operating range of 4-5 months and is immediately operational when recharged.

Among the various solutions adopted to ensure utmost dentist and patient hygiene, VITALI dentist chair is equipped with a series of removable and autoclavable elements.

These are the stainless-steel tray-holder with its silicon protection, the instrument holder, the handles of the operating lamp, the accessories supplied with the spittoon and the aspiration manifold filter. Autoclave disinfection and the regular replacement of these components ensure the thorough sanitization of the most easily contaminated operating areas.

VITALI also produces a certified instrumentation hydropneumatic duct disinfection system. It is called VDS – Vitali Disinfection System – and consists of several devices that work together with the specific Multiclean disinfectant, ensuring utmost disinfection standards.

There are some good rules that should be followed when opening a new dental practice or renovating it.

1. size of the room should ideally be of at least 11/12 sq.m;
2. light coming from outside: if possible, the unit should be placed in front of or to the side of the light source.
3. furniture: preferably placed behind the unit. When entering the room, the patient should be able to access the dental chair with ease, with no obstacles to overcome or go around;
4. connections: if the dental practice is new, it is advisable to have them exit from the floor (or under the floor), to avoid external cables, pipes or ducts;
5. engine room: it is advisable to set up a dedicated room in which to place the compressor and suction pump, both of which are necessary to operate the dental unit.

Features

• Size of the backrest and reduced chair base to ensure utmost ergonomics for the dentist and nurse
• Special treatment applied to ABS carters that protects the dental unit from any colour changes over time
• Smooth surfaces and no visible screws and external casings to facilitate sanitisation of all parts of the dental unit
• Maximum liftable weight: 180 kg
• Standard anti-tilt device that ensures utmost stability of the dental unit
• Five anti-crushing safety devices

Benefits

• Dental units designed to last a lifetime
• The result of the direct exchange of ideas with dentists and service technicians
• Careful attention to every detail to ensure total hygiene in the working environment
• Excellent working comfort for the dentist and nurse in the various operating positions
• Utmost comfort for the patient thanks to the anatomical shape of the chair
• Minimum incidence of service costs and thus low operating costs
• Customisable configuration to adapt the dental unit to the dentist’s operating needs