Decoding Dental Codes
Dental procedure codes (also called D-Codes) are essential for clear communication between dentists, insurance companies, and patients like you. They’re the key to accurate billing and understanding exactly what services you received and what they cost.
This guide is for everyone — patients trying to decipher their bills, dental professionals needing a quick reference, and insurance providers processing claims.
We’ll break down common D-Codes across all areas of dentistry, from routine checkups and fillings to root canals, gum treatments, dentures, oral surgery, and braces. We’ll also touch on Medicare benefits and some helpful online portals for providers.
Think of this as your go-to dental procedure codes lookup resource.
Diagnostic Dental Codes (D0100-D0999)
Diagnostic codes are used for evaluations and imaging. Here are some of the most common:
Oral Evaluations
- D0120: Periodic Oral Evaluation – Established Patient. This is the code for a routine check-up with your dentist. It’s for patients whose dental records are already on file. Your dentist will check your overall oral health and look for any changes or new problems.
- D0140: Limited Oral Evaluation – Problem Focused. This evaluation focuses on a specific problem, like pain, swelling, or an injury.
- D0150: Comprehensive Oral Evaluation – New or Established Patient. New patients, or existing patients who need a more thorough assessment, will receive a comprehensive oral evaluation. This exam includes a complete look at your medical and dental history, a clinical exam, and any necessary diagnostic tests.
Radiographic Images
- D0210: Intraoral – Complete Series of Radiographic Images. This is a full series of intraoral X-rays to image all the teeth, roots, and surrounding bone in your mouth. It usually involves 14 to 22 bitewing images.
- D0274: Bitewings – Four Radiographic Images. These images help your dentist see cavities that may be developing between your teeth. They show the upper and lower teeth as they come together.
- D0330: Panoramic Radiographic Image. This is an extraoral image that gives your dentist a broad view of your entire mouth, including your teeth, jaws, and surrounding tissues. Dentists often order this X-ray every three to five years, starting in adolescence and continuing into adulthood.
Preventive Dental Codes (D1000-D1999)
Here are some common codes associated with preventive dental care:
- D1110: Prophylaxis – Adult. This is a routine cleaning to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, preventing gingivitis and periodontitis (gum disease).
- D1120: Prophylaxis – Child. A routine cleaning for children that removes plaque and tartar, with an emphasis on teaching good oral hygiene.
- D1206: Topical Application of Fluoride Varnish. Applying fluoride varnish strengthens enamel and prevents cavities. Dentists often use this for kids and adults at high risk of tooth decay.
- D1351: Sealant – Per Tooth. A sealant is a protective coating placed on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars to prevent cavities. They are very effective for children and teenagers.
Restorative and Endodontic Dental Codes (D2000-D3999)
This section of the CDT code covers procedures designed to restore damaged teeth and treat issues within the tooth’s pulp.
Restorative Procedures
- D2330-D2394: Tooth Colored Filling – Resin-Based Composite. This code covers the restoration of a tooth with a tooth-colored composite resin to fix cavities, chips, or fractures.
- D2740: Crown – Porcelain/Ceramic Substrate. This code describes a full crown that covers the entire visible part of a tooth, used to strengthen and protect a weakened or damaged tooth.
- D2950: Core Buildup, Including Any Pins When Required. When a tooth is so damaged that it can’t support a crown on its own, this procedure builds up the core of the tooth.
Endodontic Procedures
- D3310-D3330: Endodontic Therapy (Root Canal). This code encompasses root canal treatments, which remove infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth to relieve pain and prevent further infection.
- D3346-D3348: Retreatment of Previous Root Canal Therapy. If a previous root canal fails or becomes reinfected, this code applies to the procedure to retreat the tooth.
Periodontic and Prosthodontic Dental Codes (D4000-D6999)
This section covers codes for procedures that treat gum disease (periodontics) and those that replace missing teeth (prosthodontics).
Periodontic Procedures
- D4341: Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing – Four or More Teeth Per Quadrant. This is a deep cleaning that removes plaque and calculus from below the gumline on four or more teeth in a quadrant. It’s used to treat periodontitis and encourage healthy gums.
- D4342: Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing – One to Three Teeth Per Quadrant. Similar to D4341, but this code is for when the deep cleaning is only needed for one to three teeth in a quadrant. It’s used for localized areas of periodontitis.
- D4910: Periodontal Maintenance. This covers the ongoing care needed to maintain gum health after active treatment for periodontitis. It includes regular cleanings and exams.
Prosthodontic Procedures
- D5110 & D5120: Complete Denture – Maxillary & Mandibular. These codes are for removable dentures that replace all the teeth in either the upper (maxillary) or lower (mandibular) jaw. Dentures improve chewing and enhance appearance.
- D6010: Surgical Placement of Implant Body: Endosteal Implant. This covers the surgical placement of a dental implant into the jawbone, which provides a stable base for a crown, bridge, or denture.
- D6059: Abutment Supported Porcelain Fused to Metal Crown (High Noble Metal). This code is for a crown that’s supported by a dental implant abutment, restoring both the function and appearance of a missing tooth.
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Orthodontic Dental Codes (D7000-D8999)
This section includes codes for surgical procedures, as well as those related to orthodontic treatment.
Oral Surgery Procedures
- D7140: Extraction, Erupted Tooth or Exposed Root – This code covers the removal of a fully erupted tooth or a tooth root that’s exposed. It’s a common procedure when a tooth is severely decayed, damaged, or impacted.
- D7220-D7240: Removal of Impacted Tooth – These codes refer to the surgical removal of a tooth that can’t fully erupt. This is often done for wisdom teeth (third molars).
Orthodontic Procedures
- D8080: Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment of the Adolescent Dentition – This code covers comprehensive orthodontic treatment for adolescents, typically involving braces or clear aligners. The goal is to correct malocclusion (misalignment) and improve how the teeth function together.
Adjunctive General Services (D9000-D9999) and Medicare
These codes cover a wide range of supportive dental services. Here are a couple of examples:
- D9110: Palliative (Emergency) Treatment of Dental Pain – Minor Procedure. This covers immediate treatment for dental pain, like a toothache or infection. The goal is to provide quick relief.
- D9230: Inhalation of Nitrous Oxide/Anxiolysis, Analgesia. This code refers to the use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help you relax during a dental procedure.
Medicare Benefits: To find out more about which services Medicare covers, you can use their search tool. If you’re a provider and can’t find a specific state code, check the Benefit Grid on the provider portal or use the Member Medicare Benefit Search Tool.
In Summary
Using the correct dental procedure codes is essential for accurate billing, so that dental offices get paid appropriately and insurance claims are processed smoothly. It also helps everyone communicate clearly about the dental care you receive.
If you have questions about specific codes, it’s best to speak with a dental professional or your insurance provider. The American Dental Association (ADA) also offers extensive resources about dental procedure codes.
When patients, dental professionals, and insurance companies understand how dental procedure codes work, everyone can navigate the complex world of dental care more easily.