Saddle stools are becoming more and more popular in Dental Chairs - for a reason. The benefits of this positioning are numerous, and research supports the positive effects of the musculoskeletal system. For those who are not familiar with saddle stools, they may look unconventional, if not aggressive, compared to traditional flat operator stools.
However, with the continuous spread of dental back pain over the past 50 years (approximately 65%), new alternative methods for sitting and preventing back pain are gaining increasing acceptance.
The saddle stool promotes the neutral pelvic position and supports the three natural curves of the spine in a balanced position. The thighs are tilted downwards (45°) so the seated position is midway between sitting and standing (think "supporting position"). The benefits of musculoskeletal systems and ergonomic designs are numerous compared to traditional style seats.
• The stool places you in a “tripod” position, with the hips slightly bent and flared (unfolded), which is the most stable position for the hip joint. (This is actually how babies with hip dysplasia are cast.) The upper body can only move easily and precisely when the lower body is stable.
• Workers with short torso must lift both sides of the arm while working. When sitting on a saddle stool, the weight of the patient can be easily reduced, thereby making the neck and shoulder muscles more comfortable.
Sitting woman
• It is easier to maintain a neutral spine position because of the middle position between standing and sitting.
• Improved breathing of the diaphragm.
• When the thighs are steeply sloping down, it is easier to get close to the patient, which minimizes overhang.
• It is easier to move the stool because it uses larger thigh muscles than calf muscles.
• Saddles help move the hips correctly, not at the waist.
• When the seat is level, the saddle places the pelvis in a neutral position, which helps maintain the waist curve. Never tilt the saddle seat as this will lead to premature and low back pain.
• When there is a waist curve, it facilitates a more neutral head posture. On the contrary, when the lumbar curve flattens, the head moves forward!
• The compact shape makes the saddle stool ideal for a 12 o'clock position in a small, closed operation.
• It is easier to sit from standing to standing.
• The saddle stool activates the deep trunk to stabilize muscles, which has been shown to help prevent back pain.
Choose a saddle stool
Real saddle stool
There are two types of saddle stools for optimal ergonomic positioning. A real saddle stool and a saddle stool. When considering a traditional saddle stool, select a correct contoured saddle stool that fits the pelvis. A too narrow saddle for the pelvis can cause compression and discomfort. Also, for smaller operators, too wide a saddle can cause hip discomfort. Men should consider using highly-filled saddles or split saddle stools to reduce peritoneal pressure, or choose saddle stools to avoid compression. The saddle-style stool has a flat triangular seat that keeps the pelvis in a neutral position and the thighs steeply down. This is a good option for dentists who want to avoid oppression on the genital area, but it can be used to collect the benefits of positioning a saddle stool.
Although the saddle stool reduces the muscle activity of the lumbar muscle tissue, it also increases the activity of the abdominal muscles. Increasing the backrest moderately reduces abdominal activity and should be considered by the dentist.
Saddle stool
A saddle stool with retractable armrests is one of the most beneficial ergonomic interventions I have encountered in surgery. I think every dentist should at least try a saddle stool with arm rests and backrests on the operating table to see if they are comfortable. If you don’t like the armrest during the trial, just flip it over. Remember that the saddle stool uses some muscles that are different from those dental supplies normally used during normal workdays. In the first few days, your hip adductors and torso stabilizing muscles may become a little painful. Therefore, in the first few days you may not want to "ride" your saddle for eight hours. Start from three to four hours and then work all day.
