How to Set Up Your Salli Saddle Stool Correctly: A Step-by-Step Guide

One of the most common reasons dental professionals don't get the full benefit from a saddle stool — including a Salli — is incorrect setup. The saddle shape does a lot of the work for you automatically, but getting the seat height right is critical. Too high and you'll feel unstable. Too low and you've lost the ergonomic benefit entirely.

This guide walks you through exactly how to set up your Salli stool for maximum posture benefit — whether you're using the Twin, MultiAdjuster or SwingFit.

Step 1: Set the correct seat height first

Seat height is the single most important adjustment. The rule is: your hips should sit slightly higher than your knees. Not level, not lower — slightly higher. This opens the hip angle, tips the pelvis forward, and restores your spine's natural S-curve automatically.

A practical way to find the right height: stand next to the stool and adjust it until the seat is level with the top of your thigh. Then sit down and check that your hips are 5–10cm higher than your knees. Your feet should rest comfortably flat on the floor. If they're dangling, the stool is too high. If your knees are higher than your hips, it's too low.

Step 2: Adjust the seat width (MultiAdjuster and SwingFit only)

If you're using the MultiAdjuster or SwingFit, the next step is adjusting the gap between the two seat halves. This is a personal adjustment — there's no universally correct width. Start with the halves close together and gradually widen until you find the position where the firmer, more supportive parts of each seat half sit directly under your sitting bones.

You'll know when it's right because your weight will feel well distributed and there'll be no sensation of the seat pressing into soft tissue. This adjustment alone transforms the comfort of these models and is why they suit a wider range of body types than the Twin.

Step 3: Set the seat tilt (MultiAdjuster only)

The MultiAdjuster's lever allows you to tilt the seat forward by up to 30 degrees. Most practitioners find a slight forward tilt of around 5–10 degrees is ideal for general dental work. This tips the pelvis into its neutral position and makes it much easier to maintain an upright posture without effort.

For procedures where you need to reach forward — particularly upper arch work — a slightly more pronounced forward tilt helps you extend without rounding the lower back. Experiment during a normal clinical session and you'll quickly find your preferred angle.

Step 4: Adjust the swing tension (SwingFit only)

The SwingFit's spring tension can be adjusted using the tension adjustment tool that comes with the stool. For most users, a medium tension is the right starting point — enough movement to feel the active sitting benefit, but enough resistance that you feel stable during precise work.

If the stool feels too wobbly at first, increase the tension slightly. As your core muscles adapt over the first few weeks, you may find you prefer less resistance and more free movement.

Step 5: Position yourself correctly at the patient

Even a perfectly set up stool won't help if your working position is wrong. Aim to sit with your weight centred and your spine upright. Your arms should hang naturally from your shoulders. Avoid twisting from the waist — instead, move the whole stool to reposition relative to the patient. This is easier on a saddle stool than a conventional chair because your legs are more widely positioned and your centre of gravity is lower.

How long does it take to adapt?

Most practitioners take 2–4 weeks to fully adapt to saddle sitting. Your core and hip muscles will work harder initially — this is normal and a sign the stool is doing its job. Some people experience mild muscle fatigue in the first week. This passes, and the long-term result is stronger core muscles and significantly reduced back strain. We recommend starting with 2–3 hours per day and building up from there.