| Usage Tips Accessories | | Product Summary |
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The Apical Dental Chair with Adjustable Support from Score is designed to provide advanced ergonomic posture for dental practitioners. It departs from traditional flat seats by incorporating concepts generally only seen in full saddle-style seating. By combining features of both the Apical becomes a very suitable option for practitioners who may not be comfortable shifting to a full “saddle” solution but who want to benefit from the improved ergonomic seating position that a saddle seat can offer.
At first glance the Apical appears very similar to a traditional flat seat but upon closer examination it becomes evident that the seat is modified. First of all, unlike round seats, the rear of the Apical is quite broad (16.5”) to provide support to the sitz bones. The seat then gently rounds towards the narrower front that features a very slightly raised “pommel” with slight “reliefs” where the thighs clear the front. The seat is 13.5” deep, meaning that while the weight is well-supported at the sitz bones, the thighs remain primarily clear of the seat to allow ease of movement when repositioning for the optimal working position.
The Apical is oriented with a fixed forward tilt of approximately 10°. The cushion is approximately 3” thick below the sitz bones, tapering to a lesser degree at the front of the seat where less padding is required. This tilt and the somewhat saddle-like seat shape work together to rotate the pelvis forward, assisting in restoring the natural S-curve of the spine. At the same time it reduces the abrupt bend in the lower lumbar region, reducing the high stress that a traditional flat seat places on the lower back. The combination of tilt, seat design that encourages a straddle-stance that places the knees to the sides, and the more upright posture let the clinician move closer to their client, greatly reducing the high-stress forward-leaning posture that a traditional seat requires. Because the Apical seat is “dished” so the body sockets down into it one feels completely secure and stable, with the 65 mm safety-braked casters (for hard surfaced flooring) letting it roll freely as soon as one lowers oneself onto the seat.
The Apical also features an adjustable back support, equipped with independent angle adjustment, integrated into the rear of the seat. This means individuals can make adjustments using a simple lever, moving the support for optimal support. In addition to the angle adjustment, the middle of the back support can be positioned from approximately 6” to 8.5” above the seat height. The cushion itself is 9.75” wide, 7” high, and about 2” deep; providing firm but cushioned support to the small of the back.
The Apical is upholstered with high grade seamless Stamkskin® artificial leather, ideal for medical environments where repetitive cleaning is usually a requirement. The seat and tilting backrest mechanisms are encased in a white plastic shield that is equally easy to clean.
The Apical Dental Chair with Adjustable Support is currently in stock with premium Capri Blue Stamskin®, white cylinder and white base for a clean bright look in any clinical setting. It is also available by Special Order | | Ergonomic Benefits |
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Freedom of Movement - The Apical seat design offers increased range of movement when compared with a traditional flat seat or stool. The seat design is optimized to provide cushioning and support directly below the sitz bones, with a shallower depth than most seats. This, combined with the “relief” zones where the thighs exit the seat, means that the legs have more freedom to adjust position. As well, the tilt of the Apical moves the spine and torso into a more upright posture that offers greatly increased torso mobility – great for facilitating reach without putting strain on the lower back.
Correct Spinal Alignment (Improved Posture) - The Apical Dental seat is designed to reduce the high level of strain to the lower lumbar region that is common with a traditional flat seat. The tilt and shape of the Apical seat combine to help improved alignment of the spine by rotating the pelvis forward. This forward tilt restores the natural "S-Curve" of the spine, positioning it where it can best provide the support necessary for the torso, neck and head. Traditional chair seats actually force the lumbar portion of the spine outward (creating a "C-Curve"), exerting unnatural and unsupported stress on the soft tissue muscles and ligaments of the lower back. While not as pronounced a tilt as can be achieved with a fully traditional saddle such as the Amazone, the Apical is still able to alleviate or reduce a significant portion that stress, reducing fatigue by enabling those tissues to relax and rest, all accomplished while holding to a more traditional look and feel.
Reduced Potential for Lower Back Pain - By positioning the spine closer to its naturally strongest and correctly aligned position the continuous tension and stress which traditional seats place on the lumbar portion of the spine is relieved. Much back pain is a response generated by the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, etc) to indicate that overuse, overstressing, or damage has been done to these tissues. This is a natural response by the body in an effort to provide an alert that something needs to be addressed. Ligaments and muscles are not intended to be held in constant tension. Over time ligaments lose their resiliency and are unable to return to their natural length (much like a rubber band will lose its original characteristics once it is repeatedly stretched or held in an extended position). This will result in a greater stress on the muscles that are now required to exert extra continuous effort in order to aid the ligaments in providing the necessary support. Associated with this extra stress, muscles will often respond with cramping and spasms, usually accompanied by pain. The Adjustable Lumbar Support on the Apical lets each individual adjust the support to best match their lumbar height (through a 2.5" range). In addition, the angle adjustment ensures that regardless of whether there is a desire for a strict upright posture at all times, or a range of positions throughout the day or when engaging in different aspects of work, that all of these can be achieved.
Ability to Deviate from Upright Position Securely - For individuals such as dentists, saddle-style seats can provide a significant posture improvement over other types of seating. While the Apical is somewhat atypical in design when compared to more traditional saddle seats it still offers many of the same excellent benefits. This is due to the anatomical position it creates when one sits on it, with the thighs splayed and angling somewhat downwards rather than directly in front of the body (i.e. 90%deg;). This enables the practitioner to move significantly closer to the patient, hovering over them while maintaining a stable seating posture. This ability to "move in" also permits maintenance of a more upright posture that in turn reduces the strain on the lower back - an issue which is common in for anyone performing repetitive forward or side-reaching tasks. It also enables them to exert greater force when necessary while at the same time reducing the effort required. The closer positioning can also provide a greater degree of hand and finger control since the arms can be held closer in to the body in a more neutral position.
Reduced "Overreach" - A complaint commonly associated with traditional seating is that it is difficult to reach items positioned to the sides or front. Doing so requires a significant rotation forward or outward from the shoulder, often combined with a forward bend from the waist. This can be a cause for concern for two reasons. First, the extreme reaching of the arms and the high degree of rotation necessary to accomplish this can lead to the development of shoulder-related issues. Usually this is addressed by trying to adapt the work area by bringing frequently used items and equipment closer. However, there is always a limitation to the dimensions of the comfort zone so this is usually only partially effective as a solution. The second area of concern related to the overreach is that when items are out of reach people will attempt to extend the limited range of their arms by "bending" or "stretching" forward from the waist. This exerts unnatural and unnecessary stress on the lower back, increasing the potential for development of lower back pain. The Apical addresses both of these concerns by providing a reasonably increased reaching zone. The improved forward tilt of the pelvis, combined with the shallower 13.5” seat depth immediately provides several inches of additional forward reach that cannot be available when seated on a traditional chair with the thighs directly in front. The semi-saddle stance permits the entire torso to accomplish the reach, rather than relying on a single joint such as the shoulder. By spreading the reaching movement throughout the upper body not only is it possible to reduce the angle of the shoulder rotation but also the potential for stress on the lower back.
| | Features |
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| | Images (Click on any thumbnail to view larger image) |
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Score Apical Dental Chair – Front Profile
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Score Apical Dental Chair – Side View
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Score Apical Dental Chair – Front View
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Score Apical Dental Chair – Rear Profile
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Score Apical Dental Chair – Optional Silver Base
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Customize with Special Order Colour Options
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| | Additional Resources |
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| | Technical Specifications |
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- Seat Dimensions:
Width: Rear: 16.5" (41.9 cm) – Narrows slightly towards to the front
Depth (front to back): 13.5" (34.3 cm) - Back Support Dimensions:
Width: 9.75" (24.1 cm)
Height: 7.0" (17.8 cm)
Depth: 2.0” (5.1 cm) - Seat Height Range: Recommended User Heights
Low: under 5'3"
Standard: fits 5'3" to 6'1"
High: fits 6'1" and up - Seat Adjustment Mechanism: Height: Release lever with Gas Spring assist
- Back Support Adjustment Mechanism:
Angle (front/back): Lift and Hold rear lever while adjusting, lever automatically returns to locked position on release
Height: Handwheel Lock - Upholstery: Stamskin Artificial Leather, Foam Cushioning
- Base: Polished Aluminum – 21.25” (54 cm)
- Casters: 65 mm, Safety Braked (i.e. do not roll unless seat is occupied)
- Weight Rating: 264 lbs (120 kg)
- Warranty: 5 years, Manufacturer Direct
- Package Contents: Score Apical Dental Chair with Adjustable Back Support, Assembly & Usage Guide
- Assembly Time: 1 Minute
- Tools Required: No tools required
| | Models |
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 | | Model # | Description |
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| DWSK189WM31W | Apical Dental Chair with Adjustable Back Support, Capri Blue Stamskin, White Cylinder and Base, Standard Height |
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