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Current Dental Terminology (CDT) or Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature, developed and updated by American Dental Association (ADA), is a set of codes with descriptive terms to report dental services and procedures. The purpose behind using CDT code is to bring uniformity and accuracy in documenting dental treatment. Dental practices need to be updated with the coding changes. 

ADA introduced around 37 new codes this year, effective from Jan 1, 2020, and this article will talk about the new CDT 2020 dental procedure codes.

List of new CDT 2020 Dental Procedure Codes

S.No. Code Description
1. D0419 Assessment of salivary flow by measurement
2. D1551 Re-cement or re-bond bilateral space maintainer – maxillary
3. D1552 Re-cement or re-bond bilateral space maintainer – mandibular
4. D1553 Re-cement or re-bond unilateral space maintainer – per quadrant
5. D1556 Removal of fixed unilateral space maintainer – per quadrant
6. D1557 Removal of fixed bilateral space maintainer – maxillary
7. D1558 Removal of fixed bilateral space maintainer – mandibular
8. D2753 Crown – porcelain fused to titanium and titanium alloys
9. D5284 Removable unilateral partial denture – one piece flexible base (including clasps and teeth) – per quadrant
10. D5286 Removable unilateral partial denture – one piece resin (including clasps and teeth) – per quadrant
11. D6082 Implant supported crown – porcelain fused to predominantly base alloys
12. D6083 Implant supported crown – porcelain fused to noble alloys
13. D6084 Implant supported crown – porcelain fused to titanium and titanium alloys
14. D6086 Implant supported crown – predominantly base alloys
15. D6087 Implant supported crown – noble alloys
16. D6088 Implant supported crown – titanium and titanium alloys
17. D6097 Abutment supported crown – porcelain fused to titanium and titanium alloys
18. D6098 Implant supported retainer – porcelain fused to predominantly base alloys
19. D6099 Implant supported retainer for FPD – porcelain fused to noble alloys
20. D6120 Implant supported retainer – porcelain fused to titanium and titanium alloys
21. D6121 Implant supported retainer for metal FPD – predominantly base alloys
22. D6122 Implant supported retainer for metal FPD – noble alloys
23. D6123 Implant supported retainer for metal FPD – titanium and titanium alloys
24. D6195 Abutment supported retainer – porcelain fused to titanium and titanium alloys
25. D6243 Pontic – porcelain fused to titanium and titanium alloys
26. D6753 Retainer crown – porcelain fused to titanium and titanium alloys
27. D6784 Retainer crown ¾ – titanium and titanium alloys
28. D7922 Placement of intra-socket biological dressing to aid in hemostasis or clot stabilization, per site
29. D8696 Repair of orthodontic appliance – maxillary
30. D8697 Repair of orthodontic appliance – mandibular
31. D8698 Re-cement or re-bond fixed retainer – maxillary
32. D8699 Re-cement or re-bond fixed retainer – mandibular
33. D8701 Repair of fixed retainer, includes reattachment – maxillary
34. D8702 Repair of fixed retainer, includes reattachment – mandibular
35. D8703 Replacement of lost or broken retainer – maxillary
36. D8704 Replacement of lost or broken retainer – mandibular
37. D9997 Dental case management – patients with special health care needs

D1999 was also included in the CDT update in 2020 amidst COVID, for “unspecified preventive procedure – by report” (as per ADA). It is used to document and report the use and cost of additional personal protective equipment (PPE).

Obsolete Codes

Along with the introduction of new codes, ADA decided to get rid of some old codes. Here is the list of obsolete codes:

S.No. Code Description
1. D1550 Re-cement or re-bond space maintainer
2. D1555 Removal of fixed space maintainer
3. D8691 Repair of orthodontic appliance
4. D8692 Replacement of lost or broken retainer
5. D8693 Re-cement or re-bond fixed retainer
6. D8694 Repair of fixed retainers, includes reattachment

What’s been replaced/revised?

The deleted codes have been replaced/revised with new codes.

  • D1550 has been replaced with three new codes – D1551, D1552, D1553
  • D1555 has been replaced with three new codes – D1556, D1557, D1558
  • D8691 has been replaced with two new codes – D8696, D8697
  • D8693 has been replaced with two new codes – D8698, D8699
  • D8694 has been replaced with two new codes – D8701, D8702
  • D8692 has been revised with two new codes – D8703, D8704 

FAQs related to Dental Procedure Codes

There are a lot of general questions asked frequently, usually by dental practitioners, related to CDT codes. Let’s take a look at them.

Qus. Why is CDT code updated annually?

Ans. Dental treatment/procedures are continuously evolving and the CDT code is required to document the dental services accurately. To stay updated with the changes in dental services, ADA needs to update the CDT code annually.

Qus. Who requests for CDT code additions, changes, or revisions?

Ans. ADA’s Council on Dental Benefit Programs, third-party payers, and dental specialty organizations request for the changes. Dentists also request for revisions and additions.

Qus. How do I know the exact code, to document the service I have given to my patient?

Ans. ADA recommends all the dentists to keep the updated CDT manual to make sure that they are documenting the given treatment/procedures accurately. The dentists and the billing staff are advised to give a thorough study of the codes to accurately document the procedure performed.

Qus. Where can I get more information about the CDT code?

Ans. The first point of contact is the ADA Member Service Centre (MSC). If there is any complex query related to CDT code, it’s forwarded to the Centre for Dental Benefits and Coding and Quality staff. ADA members can contact the MSC through the toll-free number/email: 312-440-2500/ dentalcode@ada.org