2. Chair position is a very important aspect in the
success of a dental treatment.
The correct positioning helps the operator to have a
good visibility and accessibility of the oral cavity
3. If operator maintains proper position and posture
during treatment, the operator is less likely to get
strain, fatigue, be more efficient and less chances of
getting musculoskeletal disorders.
4. The Universal Seated Position for the
Clinician/Operator
Forearm parallel to the floor
Thighs parallel to the floor
Hip angle of 90 degrees
Seat height positioned low enough so that the heels of your
feet touch the floor
When working from clock positions 9-12:00, feet spread
apart so that your legs and the chair base form a tripod
which creates a stable position
Avoid positioning your legs behind the patient’s chair
Back of the operator should be always straight
Head erect and should not be bent of drooping
5. Extraction Of Maxillary Teeth
The positioning is determined by the need to
push in the long axis of the tooth.
The operator stands in front and to the right of
the patient.
6. The operator’s legs should be spaced so that it
is possible to push hard with the right leg which
should be to the rear and straight.
The left leg should be forward and slightly bent.
7. The patient should be tipped back by about 30° so
that the surgeon can see directly into the mouth.
The height of the chair should be adjusted so that
the tooth to be extracted is about at the height of the
operator’s elbow.
The patient’s head is tipped just far enough to their
right that access to the tooth is comfortable.
8. Extraction Of Mandibular Teeth
For teeth in the lower left quadrant, the operator
stands much as for maxillary extractions.
But the patient can be placed a few inches lower
and will be helped if the patient turns slightly toward
the operator
9. For teeth in the lower right quadrant the
operator stands behind the patient.
Depending on the angulation of the tooth, it
is more comfortable to stand on the other
side sometimes.
10. The chair can be tipped further back than for the
maxillary teeth maybe as much as 45°
And its height can be a little lower than when standing
in front for the left side.
11. The Supporting Hand
The left hand is used to support the jaw and
stabilize it during extraction. It also holds soft
tissue out of the way to permit good vision
For maxillary teeth, the index finger and
thumb are placed either side of the alveolus
adjacent to the tooth to be extracted
12. For extractions in the mandible two fingers and
the thumb are used.
For the lower left this means placing the index
and second fingers either side of the alveolus in
the mouth and the thumb beneath the mandible.
For the lower right use the index finger and
thumb inside the mouth and the second finger
beneath the jaw, supporting it.