Every healthcare department has its distinct set of codes. These codes serve as a base to file claims, create bills, and receive payment. Specifically dentists, too have different codes for their facility. However, having a list of dental billing codes is essential as there are hundreds of them, and can’t be learned. So a list can help find accurate codes according to the certain dental conditions.
So here we are providing an ultimate list of codes used in dental practice. Stay tuned as we dive into the coding world of this healthcare department.
Understanding Codes Used in Dental Billing
Dental billing codes are no different than other coding systems. But for beginners, let’s have an overview of what types of codes are utilized during dental coding and billing.
Current Dental Terminology (CDT)
Just like CPTs are created by the AMA, CDT codes are specifically designed for dental billing by the American Dental Association (ADA).
These codes are utilized to list dental services and procedures and send to patient’s respective insurers.
Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS)
Among dental billing codes, HCPCS level II is mostly used by coders. Basically, these are the codes that are not included in the CPT code category.
Internal Classification of Diseases (ICD)
Dental ICD codes help in reporting diagnoses and medical conditions. These codes are used to describe patient’s diagnoses or the reason for patient visits.
These are crucial codes that provide necessary information for insurance claims.
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)
Although CPT codes are not very used in dental billing codes.
But they can occasionally be mentioned if the patient has medical insurance instead of dental insurance and must be treated soon.
List of Dental Billing Codes
After knowing what types of codes are used in dental billing, let’s dive into the detailed list of these codes.
We have divided codes into categories so you can better understand which code can be used for what specific patient situation.
1. Diagnostic Codes
These codes are used to identify diagnostic procedures.
They help in mentioning the patient’s condition and the necessary tests required to diagnose any dental issue.
- D0120: Periodic oral evaluation
- D0140: Limited oral evaluation
- D0150: Comprehensive oral evaluation
- D0160: Detailed and extensive oral evaluation
- D0170: Re-evaluation – limited, problem-focused
- D0171: Re-evaluation – post-operative office visit
- D0180: Comprehensive periodontal evaluation
- D0210: Intraoral – complete series of radiographic images
- D0220: Intraoral – periapical first radiographic image
- D0230: Intraoral – periapical each additional radiographic image
- D0240: Intraoral – occlusal radiographic image
- D0270: Bitewing – single radiographic image
- D0272: Bitewings – two radiographic images
- D0273: Bitewings – three radiographic images
- D0274: Bitewings – four radiographic images
- D0277: Vertical bitewings – 7 to 8 radiographic images
- D0330: Panoramic radiographic image
- D0340: Cephalometric radiographic image
2. Preventive Codes
These codes cover those procedures that are performed to maintain oral health and prevent dental issues.
- D1110: Prophylaxis – adult
- D1120: Prophylaxis – child
- D1206: Topical application of fluoride varnish
- D1208: Topical application of fluoride
- D1310: Nutritional counseling for control of dental disease
- D1330: Oral hygiene instructions
- D1351: Sealant – per tooth
- D1352: Preventive resin restoration in a moderate to high caries risk patient
- D1353: Sealant repair – per tooth
- D1510: Space maintainer – fixed, unilateral
- D1515: Space maintainer – fixed, bilateral
- D1516: Space maintainer – fixed, bilateral, maxillary
- D1517: Space maintainer – fixed, bilateral, mandibular
- D1518: Space maintainer – removable, unilateral
- D1520: Space maintainer – removable, bilateral
- D1526: Space maintainer – removable, bilateral, maxillary
- D1527: Space maintainer – removable, bilateral, mandibular
- D1550: Re-cement or re-bond space maintainer
- D1555: Removal of fixed space maintainer
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3. Restorative Codes
These codes are used for procedures that specifically treat damaged teeth.
- D2140: Amalgam – one surface, primary or permanent
- D2150: Amalgam – two surfaces, primary or permanent
- D2160: Amalgam – three surfaces, primary or permanent
- D2161: Amalgam – four or more surfaces, primary or permanent
- D2330: Resin-based composite – one surface, anterior
- D2331: Resin-based composite – two surfaces, anterior
- D2332: Resin-based composite – three surfaces, anterior
- D2335: Resin-based composite – four or more surfaces or involving incisal angle
- D2391: Resin-based composite – one surface, posterior
- D2392: Resin-based composite – two surfaces, posterior
- D2393: Resin-based composite – three surfaces, posterior
- D2394: Resin-based composite – four or more surfaces, posterior
- D2710: Crown – resin-based composite (indirect)
- D2720: Crown – resin with high noble metal
- D2721: Crown – resin with predominantly base metal
- D2722: Crown – resin with noble metal
- D2740: Crown – porcelain/ceramic
- D2750: Crown – porcelain fused to high noble metal
- D2751: Crown – porcelain fused to predominantly base metal
- D2752: Crown – porcelain fused to noble metal
- D2790: Crown – full cast high noble metal
- D2791: Crown – full cast predominantly base metal
- D2792: Crown – full cast noble metal
- D2910: Re-cement or re-bond inlay, onlay, veneer or partial coverage restoration
- D2920: Re-cement or re-bond crown
- D2930: Prefabricated stainless steel crown – primary tooth
- D2931: Prefabricated stainless steel crown – permanent tooth
- D2932: Prefabricated resin crown
- D2940: Protective restoration
- D2950: Core buildup, including any pins
- D2951: Pin retention – per tooth, in addition to restoration
- D2952: Post and core in addition to crown, indirectly fabricated
- D2953: Each additional indirectly fabricated post – same tooth
- D2954: Prefabricated post and core in addition to crown
- D2971: Additional procedures to construct new crown under existing partial denture framework
- D2980: Crown repair necessitated by restorative material failure
4. Endodontics Codes
These codes cater to the procedures specifically done on the inner oral part such as dental pulp or root canal.
- D3110: Pulp cap – direct
- D3120: Pulp cap – indirect
- D3220: Therapeutic pulpotomy
- D3221: Pulpal debridement, primary and permanent teeth
- D3230: Pulpal therapy – anterior, primary tooth
- D3240: Pulpal therapy – posterior, primary tooth
- D3310: Endodontic therapy, anterior tooth
- D3320: Endodontic therapy, bicuspid tooth
- D3330: Endodontic therapy, molar
- D3346: Retreatment of previous root canal therapy – anterior
- D3347: Retreatment of previous root canal therapy – bicuspid
- D3348: Retreatment of previous root canal therapy – molar
- D3351: Apexification/recalcification – initial visit
- D3352: Apexification/recalcification – interim medication replacement
- D3353: Apexification/recalcification – final visit
- D3410: Apicoectomy – anterior
- D3421: Apicoectomy – bicuspid (first root)
- D3425: Apicoectomy – molar (first root)
- D3426: Apicoectomy – each additional root
- D3430: Retrograde filling – per root
- D3450: Root amputation – per root
- D3460: Endodontic endosseous implant
- D3470: Intentional reimplantation
- D3501: Surgical exposure of root surface without apicoectomy or repair of root resorption – anterior
- D3502: Surgical exposure of root surface without apicoectomy or repair of root resorption – bicuspid
- D3503: Surgical exposure of root surface without apicoectomy or repair of root resorption – molar
5. Periodontics Codes
These codes cover treatments done on supporting structures of teeth like gums and bones.
- D4210: Gingivectomy or gingivoplasty – four or more contiguous teeth or tooth bounded spaces per quadrant
- D4211: Gingivectomy or gingivoplasty – one to three contiguous teeth or tooth bounded spaces per quadrant
- D4240: Gingival flap procedure, including root planing – four or more contiguous teeth or tooth bounded spaces per quadrant
- D4241: Gingival flap procedure, including root planing – one to three contiguous teeth or tooth bounded spaces per quadrant
- D4245: Apically positioned flap
- D4249: Clinical crown lengthening – hard tissue
- D4260: Osseous surgery – four or more contiguous teeth or tooth bounded spaces per quadrant
- D4261: Osseous surgery – one to three contiguous teeth or tooth bounded spaces per quadrant
- D4263: Bone replacement graft – first site in quadrant
- D4264: Bone replacement graft – each additional site in quadrant
- D4266: Guided tissue regeneration – resorbable barrier, per site
- D4267: Guided tissue regeneration – nonresorbable barrier, per site
- D4268: Surgical revision procedure, per tooth
- D4270: Pedicle soft tissue graft procedure
- D4273: Subepithelial connective tissue graft procedures, per tooth
- D4275: Soft tissue allograft
- D4277: Free soft tissue graft procedure, first tooth, implant, or edentulous tooth position in graft
- D4278: Free soft tissue graft procedure, each additional contiguous tooth, implant, or edentulous tooth position in same graft site
- D4283: Autogenous connective tissue graft procedures, per tooth
- D4320: Provisional splinting – intracoronal
- D4321: Provisional splinting – extracoronal
- D4341: Periodontal scaling and root planing – four or more teeth per quadrant
- D4342: Periodontal scaling and root planing – one to three teeth per quadrant
- D4346: Scaling in presence of generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammation
- D4355: Full mouth debridement to enable comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis
- D4381: Localized delivery of antimicrobial agents via a controlled release vehicle into diseased crevicular tissue, per tooth, by report
- D4910: Periodontal maintenance
- D4920: Unscheduled dressing change
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6. Prosthodontics Codes
These codes cover restoration and replacement procedures of teeth. This includes some dental devices as well like bridges, dentures, and other prosthetics.
- D5110: Complete denture – maxillary
- D5120: Complete denture – mandibular
- D5130: Immediate denture – maxillary
- D5140: Immediate denture – mandibular
- D5211: Maxillary partial denture – resin base
- D5212: Mandibular partial denture – resin base
- D5213: Maxillary partial denture – cast metal framework with resin denture bases
- D5214: Mandibular partial denture – cast metal framework with resin denture bases
- D5221: Immediate maxillary partial denture – resin base
- D5222: Immediate mandibular partial denture – resin base
- D5223: Immediate maxillary partial denture – cast metal framework with resin denture bases
- D5224: Immediate mandibular partial denture – cast metal framework with resin denture bases
- D5225: Maxillary partial denture – flexible base
- D5226: Mandibular partial denture – flexible base
- D5281: Removable unilateral partial denture – one piece cast metal
- D5410: Adjust complete denture – maxillary
- D5411: Adjust complete denture – mandibular
- D5421: Adjust partial denture – maxillary
- D5422: Adjust partial denture – mandibular
- D5511: Repair broken complete denture base, mandibular
- D5512: Repair broken complete denture base, maxillary
- D5520: Replace missing or broken teeth – complete denture
- D5611: Repair resin partial denture base, mandibular
- D5612: Repair resin partial denture base, maxillary
- D5620: Repair cast partial framework
- D5630: Repair or replace broken clasp
- D5640: Replace broken teeth – per tooth
- D5650: Add tooth to existing partial denture
- D5660: Add clasp to existing partial denture
- D5670: Replace all teeth and acrylic on cast metal framework (maxillary)
- D5671: Replace all teeth and acrylic on cast metal framework (mandibular)
- D5710: Rebase complete maxillary denture
- D5711: Rebase complete mandibular denture
- D5720: Rebase maxillary partial denture
- D5721: Rebase mandibular partial denture
- D5730: Reline complete maxillary denture (chairside)
- D5731: Reline complete mandibular denture (chairside)
- D5740: Reline maxillary partial denture (chairside)
- D5741: Reline mandibular partial denture (chairside)
- D5750: Reline complete maxillary denture (laboratory)
- D5751: Reline complete mandibular denture (laboratory)
- D5760: Reline maxillary partial denture (laboratory)
- D5761: Reline mandibular partial denture (laboratory)
7. Oral Surgery Codes
These codes cater to surgeries for diseases, injuries, and defects present in oral and maxillofacial areas.
- D7140: Extraction, erupted tooth or exposed root
- D7210: Surgical removal of erupted tooth
- D7220: Removal of impacted tooth – soft tissue
- D7230: Removal of impacted tooth – partially bony
- D7240: Removal of impacted tooth – completely bony
8. Orthodontics Codes
These codes cover diagnosis, prevention, and correction of malpositioned teeth treatments. This includes braces and retainers.
- D8010: Limited orthodontic treatment of the primary dentition
- D8020: Limited orthodontic treatment of the transitional dentition
- D8030: Limited orthodontic treatment of the adolescent dentition
- D8040: Limited orthodontic treatment of the adult dentition
- D8080: Comprehensive orthodontic treatment of the adolescent dentition
- D8090: Comprehensive orthodontic treatment of the adult dentition
9. Adjunctive General Services Codes
These codes cover various dental services that are not specific to one type of dental procedure. These include anesthesia, consultations, and other general services.
- D9110: Palliative (emergency) treatment of dental pain
- D9210: Local anesthesia not in conjunction with operative or surgical procedures
- D9222: Deep sedation/general anesthesia – first 15 minutes
- D9230: Inhalation of nitrous oxide/analgesia, anxiolysis
- D9310: Consultation – diagnostic service provided by dentist or physician other than requesting dentist or physician
- D9930: Treatment of complications (post-surgical) – Unscheduled
Optimize Your Dental Billing
With this extensive list of dental billing codes divided into categories, you can better perform at coding.
Though codes keep updated and deleted by AMA over time, these were some of the latest versions of dental and oral treatments.
So next time whenever you conduct dental billing, visit our list and ensure you use the correct set of codes for accurate claim filing.
