
Bariatric Dental Chairs: Uses, Features, and How To Choose One
Unlike the bariatric dental chair, standard dental chairs fail to provide adequate support for bariatric dental patients, leading to discomfort
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Unlike the bariatric dental chair, standard dental chairs fail to provide adequate support for bariatric dental patients, leading to discomfort
The electric dental chair is the answer to your clinic’s traditional problems. Some dental clinics still rely on outdated or
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Have you ever wondered which dental chair suits your clinic best, but found the options overwhelming or unclear? With so many models claiming ergonomic superiority, advanced features, or bariatric support, it’s easy to get lost in technical jargon and marketing fluff.
This article breaks down the most common types of dental chairs—portable, pediatric, bariatric, and other dental chair models—so you can make informed decisions based on real-world functionality, patient needs, and procurement priorities.
For expert dental equipment supplier guidance, premium dental chair solutions, or a dental clinic for sale in Dubai, reach out to Skyline Med dental supply store—your trusted partner in clinical equipment excellence.
Whether you’re looking for ergonomic comfort, advanced hygiene systems, or integrated surgical features, Skyline Med has the right KaVo dental chair to elevate your practice.
A dental chair unit is the primary piece of equipment and the workstation in a dental clinic, designed to help dentists perform dental treatments while ensuring patient safety and comfort during dental procedures.
The dental unit is a complicated piece of equipment that houses many components, such as the dental delivery system that holds the dentist’s instruments (e.g., drill and scaler) and keeps them within reach, the dental light, and the dental assistant’s instrument tray, which carries dental instruments and other usable tools (cotton pliers, or mouth mirror).
Another component of a dental chair is the foot control, which allows the dentist to adjust the chair’s height and tilt or the light temperature without touching any surface, thereby enhancing infection control and minimizing the risk of contamination.
Below are the main components of a dental chair:
Controls: The dental chair is usually equipped with control buttons or pedals that enable the dentist to adjust the chair and position the patient in the optimal posture.
Dental chairs vary extensively in design and purpose, ranging from pediatric dental chairs for children 10 years old and below to portable dental units that help dentists reach underserved areas or elderly people who cannot visit a regular dental clinic.
Other dental chair models include ceiling-mounted units, which free up much floor space, making them ideal for smaller clinics; electric chairs, driven by electric motors; and many other models.
Here is a list of the most common dental chair models:
A pediatric dental chair is a specialized, kid-friendly dental unit tailored for children between 3 and 10 years old. It ensures secure and comfortable positioning during dental procedures through its adjustable and foldable design.
These dental chairs typically feature bright colored, playful designs, reducing anxiety and elevating the dental treatment experience. Investing in pediatric chairs enhances treatment efficiency and promotes the reputation of pediatric dental clinics.
Pediatric dental chairs deliver measurable benefits for both dental clinics and families.
For Clinics:
For Parents:
A pilot study in 2024 found that pediatric dental chairs led to a 32% reduction in patient anxiety and a 27% improvement in treatment efficiency among children aged 4 – 10.
A portable dental chair is a lightweight, transferable dental unit tailored to support dental procedures outside traditional clinics, such as in homes, mobile clinics, or remote areas.
These chairs typically include adjustable backrests (from 90° upright to 180° flat), swiveling headrests, and height adjustability ranging from 450 mm to 650 mm, guaranteeing flexibility and patient comfort.
Unlike standard dental chair models from well-known brandslike KaVo, Silverfox, Anthos, and Chirana, portable dental units emphasize mobility and cost-effectiveness. This makes them ideal for buyers seeking affordable dental chairs or pre-owned dental chairs for sale in stores with budget-conscious or infrastructure-limited settings.
Typically, portable dental chairs integrated features include LED lighting, spittoons, and dental handpiece connectors. This design, often with carry bags or wheels, enables quick setup and efficient transportation, making these dental units ideal for professional dental care regardless of the location, such as mobile dental clinics that travel to rural or underserved communities.
Mobile dental programs using portable chairs increased access to care by up to 40% in underserved populations, including rural schools, elder care facilities, and homeless shelters, according to a Dentistry Journal, MDPI research in 2019.
A ceiling-mounted dental chair is a modern treatment system that carries the main dental chair components, such as the dental motor, LED operating light, and the monitor, onto an overhead ceiling unit instead of being attached directly to the chair itself. This layout frees up to 30–40% of floor space, creating a cleaner and more accessible operatory for both patients and the dental professional.
Ergonomically, this design minimizes neck and back strain, elevating the practitioner’s line of sight. Additionally, the LED operating light often illuminates at 30,000–50,000 lux with controlled color temperatures between 3,000 K and 5,500 K, reducing eye strain and enhancing clinical precision.
Key features include:
An electric dental chair is a modern, motor-driven dental unit designed to help the dentist optimize the height, tilt, backrest, and headrest of the dental chair, and other equipment (such as the adjustable armrests) precisely and smoothly without affecting workflow, reducing musculoskeletal strain for the practitioner, and allowing the patient to lie comfortably.
Electric dental units typically feature a foot pedal or handheld control, such as a touchpad, which enables the dentist to control electrical power to dental tools, like scalers or drills, streamlining workflow and supporting aseptic metrics.
Some electric dental units may feature memory presets, enabling the dentist to recall any preferred position (e.g., entry or exit positions, surgical position, child position, and positions for elderly and disabled people), saving time and improving dental treatment efficiency.
This motorized precision supports a variety of procedures – from routine cleanings to advanced surgeries, such as root canal treatment and dental implant surgery.
A bariatric dental chair is a purpose-built dental unit commonly used in hospitals and dental clinics, tailored for overweight patients, typically bearing up to 1000 lbs or 454 kg.
This dental chair contains heavy-duty frames, such as stainless steel 410S, ensuring durability and ease of fabrication, or heavy-duty aluminum (e.g., aluminum alloy). Moreover, bariatric dental chairs feature wider seats (800 mm or 31.4 inches) and the ability to endure much higher weights than standard dental chairs, which typically have a weight limit of 140 kg only, offering a safer and more stable treatment for bariatric patients and enabling the practitioner to operate without the risk of equipment failure.
Here is a breakdown of the bariatric dental chair key features:
A hydraulic dental chair operates using pressurized fluid (hydraulic oil) to adjust the dental chair’s height, typically between 450mm and 800mm (17.7 and 31.4 inches), backrest angle from 180 degrees (fully reclined) to 90 degrees (upright), and headrest with a tilt angle up to 45 degrees.
The hydraulic oil system of the dental chair includes a hydraulic pump with a flow rate of 0.5 to 1.5 L/min, control valves, cylinders, and a reservoir, enabling the dental professional to position the patient precisely and comfortably, typically taking almost 5 seconds to raise the hydraulic dental chair from the lowest to the highest position.
Below are the key benefits of the hydraulic dental chair:
An oral surgery dental chair is a specialized dental unit designed to enhance precision, safety, and comfort during dental procedures. These chairs feature advanced technology, such as surgical lights and magnification systems, improving the visibility of the oral cavity during dental treatments.
Additionally, oral surgery dental chairs support fluid management using integrated water and suction systems, enhancing irrigation and hygiene during dental procedures.
The extended adjustability of these dental units, including a height range of 53 cm (21 inches) to 94 cm (37 inches), allows dental professionals to customize the dental chair to suit patients’ sizes and surgical needs.
The elevated safety and comfort of the oral surgery dental chair, with its powder-coated seat base and scratch-resistant aluminum alloy frame, allow for future upgrades and long-term durability while ensuring patient safety and relaxation throughout dental treatments.
Here are the key benefits of oral surgery dental chairs:
Orthodontic dental chairs are designed to meet the unique demands of orthodontic procedures, such as brace placements and corrective treatments. As orthodontic care became increasingly precise, the demand for dental chairs that combine comfort, flexibility, and digital compatibility continued to rise. The demand for orthodontic dental units is reflected in the global market, which is expected to grow to 2 billion USD by 2033, driven by a projected 6.5% CAGR from 2026 to 2033, highlighting the rising global demand.
The ergonomic design of these dental chairs includes multiple adjustable settings, such as a seat height that can be raised to 95 cm (37 inches) and removable armrests to facilitate getting into and out of the dental chair. These dental chairs’ features enhance patient comfort and practitioner posture.
Here is a breakdown of orthodontic dental chair benefits:
Skyline Med offers every type of dental handpiece under one roof, ensuring top quality and trusted brands (Kavo, CoXo, NAK) for your clinic.
Choosing the right dental chair that suits your clinic’s needs, such as functionality, ergonomic support for healthy and comfort treatment, workflow efficiency, space and layout compatibility, durability s, and budget, is a crucial decision that not only affects your dental clinic’s long-term performance and treatment efficiency but also influences patient comfort and the dental staff’s posture, workflow, and overall satisfaction.
Here is a list of key considerations to keep in mind:
Modern dental chairs are more than seating—they’re precision-engineered systems designed to enhance clinical efficiency, patient comfort, and infection control. From ergonomic foot controls to adjustable lighting and seamless integration with advanced equipment, each component plays a vital role in elevating the dental experience.
For clinics seeking reliable upgrades or turnkey setups, Skyline Med offers expert guidance, premium dental chair solutions, and even opportunities to acquire a dental clinic for sale in the UAE. Contact us at Skyline Med to ensure your practice is equipped for excellence.
What is the technical name for a dental chair?
The technical name for a dental chair is dental unit or dental treatment center.
What are the cheapest dental chairs to buy?
One of the cheapest dental chairs to buy is SILVERFOX Dental Unit 8000B-CRS0
Renowned for its high cost-performance ratio, it is a favorite in mid-range markets. The brand is known for its durability and ergonomic designs, all at a fraction of the cost of other brands.