How to Set Up Orthodontic Treatment with Mechanics

 Related Training
Mechanics Tracking Recorded Class

To set up Orthodontic Treatment using Mechanics:

1. From the Patient tab, select Clinical > Orthodontic Clinical Summary. 
   
2. Under Actions, select Begin New Treatment. The Begin New Treatment window is displayed.
   
3. For Treatment, select an item from the list, or create a new treatment list item by typing it in the field and selecting Create 'xxxx'.
4. Change the Start Date if you do not want the current date.
5. Enter the Estimated Months of the treatment. The Estimated Completion Date is calculated automatically.
6. Select the Treatment Modality type: Mechanics.
7. Click Save. 
   Note: The Current Tx and Tx Status information in the banner is saved automatically when you activate or update an Ortho contract.
   

Managing and Tracking

You can manage mechanics by clicking on them in the Orthodontic Clinical Summary, or by selecting Mechanics Tracking from the Patient > Clinical menu. 

To track and manage mechanics:

1. From the Mechanics Tracking section of the Clinical Summary window, select the device.
   
   -- OR --
   From the Patient tab, select Clinical > Mechanics Tracking.
   The Mechanics Tracking window is displayed for the selected type (from the summary window), or you can select a mechanics type from the Filter List.
   
2. Select History, Current (default), or Planned, and then use the search fields to select a device.
   Important: When typing in the search field, you are prompted to create an item not already in the list. Once created, it cannot be deleted, but you can use the Edit function to correct it.
   
   Note: When you activate a planned archwire, the existing one in that location is completed/expired.
3. Click Add ________ for each device. When additional information is required, such as tooth number, day/night, and so forth, you are prompted to add the information.
   Note: Only one archwire can be current in each panel (per arch). When a new one is placed, the existing entry is relegated from Current to History, with the dates and details noted.
   Note: If you enter an archwire in error, you can remove or delete it within the same day, or you can complete it (by clicking Complete) starting the next day. 
4. Under Actions, use the Filter List to display other device types, and document the patient's treatment.
   

Elastics

Planned Elastics

You can either select existing elastics to add to the Planned section, or you can type the name of a new elastic and select Create "[Elastic Name]".

When you have selected an elastic or entered the name of a new one, next click Add Planned Elastic. The Add Patient Elastic window is displayed.

You are prompted to enter the Usage and the applicable teeth (Note: you can select a minimum of two or a maximum of four teeth), and there is an additional option to enter a Recommended Start date. 

When you click Save, the elastic is added to the Planned list.

• Click the Pencil icon to edit the elastic (i.e., change the tooth numbers, recommended start date, or usage).
• Click the Activate  icon to move the elastic to the Current list.
• Click the Trash Can icon to remove the elastic.

Current Elastics

From the Current section, you can manage currently active elastics. 

The following actions are available:

• Add elastics directly to the Current list (i.e., Use the Search to Add Elastic field to select an elastic or type a new elastic, and then click Add Current Elastic)
• Edit the current elastics details (by clicking the Pencil icon in the Actions column)
• Complete an active elastic (by clicking the Checkmark icon in the Actions column)
  Note: An active elastic cannot be completed until it has been active for at least a day. When elastics are completed, they are moved to the History list.
• Delete/remove elastics (by clicking the Trash Can icon in the Actions column)
  Note: Deleting an elastic can only be done on the same day that it was originally added directly to the Current list or activated from the Planned list. The Trash Can icon in the Actions column is no longer available for the elastic when this time period has passed.

Printing Instructions for Current Elastics

You also have the ability to print elastics instructions for a patient from the Orthodontic Clinical Summary or from the Mechanics Tracking screen (Patient > Clinical > Mechanics Tracking).

Note: The patient must have one or more active elastics in the Current list in order for you to print elastics instructions. 

To print elastics wear instructions: 

1. Under Actions, click Print Elastics Instructions. The Create Elastics Wear Instructions window is displayed.
   
2. Type the instructions, and then click Save. A preview of the Current Elastic Handout For [Patient Name] is displayed, and you can download or print the file. The handout is also saved in the Patient Files. 
   Note: Click No Instructions to cancel.