Elsevier

Seminars in Orthodontics

Volume 24, Issue 4, December 2018, Pages 482-486
Seminars in Orthodontics

Digital laboratory submission with EasyRx

https://doi.org/10.1053/j.sodo.2018.10.012Get rights and content

Abstract

The incorporation of intraoral scanners and 3D printing has resulted in a new digital laboratory workflow. Orthodontists now need a digital method to replace their paper laboratory prescriptions. This article reviews EasyRx, which is a software program for orthodontic laboratory prescription management. The steps necessary for its implementation and the challenges of submitting digital prescriptions will also be discussed.

Introduction

The essential function of EasyRx is to allow an orthodontic practice to submit digital laboratory prescriptions to in-house and commercial laboratories. Digital prescriptions are created from a library of customizable templates (Fig. 1). These prescriptions can also have attached digital files, such as STL. Other notable features of this software include preparing1, 2 the STL file for 3D printing (Fig. 2), tracking laboratory shipments including Invisalign (Fig. 3), and creating prescription invoices.

EasyRx is a web-based application hosted on the Amazon Web Services cloud platform. It is also integrated with the Amazon Simple Store Service (S3) for file storage. It is compatible with both Mac and PC computers, and operates on all major Internet browsers, including Explorer, Edge, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. Firefox is required when using the EasyRx 3D Edit tool, which hollows and bases the digital model. Most importantly, EasyRx integrates with Dolphin, CS OrthoTrac, Cloud9, topsOrtho, Oasys, iTero, TRIOS, Carestream, EnvisionTEC, and other pending software.

The technology was originally developed in 2013 by Jim Wright, owner of the Buffalo-based Orthodontic Digital Laboratory (ODL), to manage his laboratory. It was purchased from ODL in 2015 by Dr. Marc Lemchen, an orthodontist and technology-pioneer, and Todd Blankenbecler, an executive director at Dolphin. Since 2017, Blankenbecler has served as EasyRx's president and has helped reengineer the technology to be more practice-focused.

Accordingly, EasyRx offers numerous benefits for an orthodontist. It standardizes the laboratory process, which is particularly helpful in a multi-doctor or multi-office practice. Other benefits include managing all prescriptions (in-house, commercial, and Invisalign) and digital files, storing prescription data, and improving laboratory communication. Simply stated, EasyRx supports a fully digital prescription workflow in a single and secure application.

Section snippets

Getting started

The initial setup has three basic steps: (1) configuring the account settings, (2) connecting to laboratories, and (3) creating prescriptions.

The account settings control the laboratory connection, scanner integration, billing, security, and user accounts. Technicians in charge of submitting prescriptions should be assigned individual user accounts with basic functions. These account settings are established during the initial setup and can be modified later with password clearance.

Laboratory

Challenges

Delegating digital prescriptions, however, has some challenges. Technicians may select an incorrect template, which may then cause the wrong appliance to be fabricated and delivered to an office. They might also forget to submit the prescription, as there is no plaster model to serve as a physical reminder.

To ensure the appropriate prescription is selected, an office can create a template for every variation of an appliance. Different templates for RPEs, for example, might include those with

Conclusions

Digital prescriptions are a necessary progression in the new digital laboratory workflow. They are the bridge between the intraoral scan and the appliance fabrication. Incorporating this technology will have its initial challenges and require an office to establish new protocols; however, its benefits, such as the standardization of the laboratory process, cannot be overstated.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Ryan Hurley, Tonya Volk, Todd Blankenbecler, and Alicia Monaghen for their assistance.

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