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.
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.
