chairside

Chairside is a term commonly used in dentistry to describe work performed at the dental chair, i.e., in the operatory, rather than in a laboratory or off-site facility. It refers to procedures, materials, and equipment used directly in the patient’s presence, and it is also used to describe the role of individuals who operate at the chair, such as a chairside dental assistant or clinician.

In modern practice, chairside workflows often involve CAD/CAM technology that enables the design, fabrication, and fitting of restorations in the chair. Examples include chairside scans, digital design of crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers, and chairside milling and bonding of the final restoration, allowing same-day treatment.

Key tools associated with chairside work include intraoral scanners, CAD/CAM software, milling machines or 3D printers, occlusal indicators, curing lights, and finishing/polishing instruments. The approach supports direct seating of restorations after fabrication and may reduce interim arrangements and patient visits.

Adoption of chairside techniques depends on factors such as cost of equipment, training requirements, material performance, and regulatory rules that vary by region. Benefits commonly cited include shorter treatment times, improved patient satisfaction, and streamlined clinical workflows; limitations can include higher upfront costs and learning curves.

A note on terminology: while chairside commonly denotes operatory-based work, it can also describe the workstation or setup in which the clinician and assistant operate during patient care.