FAQ: Dental
Answers to common questions about dental cases, FDI numbering, and tooth-linked billing.
What's the difference between FDI tooth 14 and tooth 24?
Both are premolars in the upper jaw, but in different sides. Tooth 14 is in the upper-right quadrant (quadrant 1), position 4 from the center. Tooth 24 is in the upper-left quadrant (quadrant 2), at the same position. The first digit tells you the quadrant; the second digit is the position from center. This is why double-checking FDI numbers before billing is important—a single digit error links the procedure to the wrong side of the mouth.
Can I add a procedure that involves multiple teeth?
Yes. When you create a procedure, you select one or more teeth from the odontogram. If a crown or bridge involves multiple teeth, click each tooth you want to include. The system records all selected teeth and allocates the procedure cost accordingly when billing. This is especially useful for bridges and prosthetics that span several teeth.
What happens if I record a procedure on the wrong tooth?
Open the case again, find the procedure, and edit it. Click the odontogram again and select the correct tooth, then uncheck the wrong one (or create a new procedure with the correct tooth and delete the old one). It's best to catch this before invoicing, as changing a procedure after billing may require a refund or adjustment.
Do I need to know the patient's FDI numbers before creating a case?
No. When you create or edit a dental case, the FDI odontogram is shown in the interface. You can click teeth directly during case creation or editing, so you don't need to memorize or look up numbers beforehand. The odontogram is always visible in the template.
How are dental procedures billed?
Dental procedures are billed like any other service: by service code and quantity. When you link a procedure to specific teeth, the system records which teeth it affects. If the procedure's price is set per tooth (e.g., "Filling = $50 per tooth"), the total is calculated as price × number of teeth. When you generate an invoice from the case, each procedure appears as a line item, showing clearly which teeth were treated.
Can I bill different teeth at different rates in the same case?
Each procedure has one rate. If you need to charge different rates for different teeth (for example, filling a front tooth vs. a molar), create two separate procedures—one for each rate—and link them to the correct teeth on the odontogram. This keeps the billing clear and the clinical record accurate.
What if a patient has only some of their natural teeth?
The odontogram shows all 32 tooth positions. When you click a tooth to link a procedure, you're only recording treatments on the teeth that are actually being treated. The fact that some teeth may be missing, extracted, or replaced doesn't affect your ability to record procedures on the remaining natural teeth. Just select the teeth you're actually working on.
Does Usystems track tooth history over time?
Yes. Each dental case is saved with its date. If a patient has multiple dental cases over time, each case and its procedures are stored separately. You can open past cases to see what was done before. This helps with follow-up care, treatment planning, and understanding the patient's dental history.
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