CDT Codes 2026Complete Dental Billing Code Guide
Plain-language billing explanations, documentation checklists, and denial prevention strategies built for dental office managers and RCM teams.
A routine exam for an existing patient to assess changes in their dental and overall health since their last visit.
An evaluation focused on a specific dental problem or complaint, such as pain, swelling, or trauma, rather than a full routine exam.
An oral exam for infants and toddlers under age three that includes counseling the parent or caregiver on oral hygiene, diet, and fluoride use.
A thorough evaluation for a new patient or an established patient being seen for the first time in three or more years, establishing a complete dental baseline.
An in-depth evaluation for a complex dental problem that requires extensive assessment by the dentist, such as traumatic injuries, TMJ disorders, or systemic conditions affecting the mouth.
A follow-up evaluation to reassess a previously diagnosed dental condition and determine whether the current treatment plan needs to be changed.
Covers a re-evaluation - post-operative office visit performed by the dentist to evaluate the patient's oral health status.
A thorough periodontal evaluation that includes full probing depths, clinical attachment levels, bleeding on probing, tooth mobility, and mucogingival assessment for patients with suspected or known periodontal disease.
A limited clinical screening to identify possible problems and determine whether a patient needs a referral for a full evaluation.
Covers a assessment of a patient performed by the dentist to evaluate the patient's oral health status.
Covers a full mouth series (FMX) of radiographic images, typically 14 to 20 periapical and bitewing films capturing all teeth and surrounding structures.
Covers the first periapical radiographic image taken during a visit, capturing a root-to-crown view of one to two teeth in a specific area of concern.
Covers each additional periapical radiographic image taken after the first (D0220) during the same visit, used when multiple targeted views are needed.
A single occlusal X-ray that captures a top-down view of the teeth in either the upper or lower arch.
A standard 2D extra-oral X-ray such as a lateral cephalometric or skull film taken with the sensor outside the mouth.
CDT (Current Dental Terminology) is a trademark of the American Dental Association (ADA). The descriptions and educational content on this page are original summaries written by Needletail AI for informational purposes and are not reproductions of ADA copyrighted material. For official CDT code definitions, refer to the ADA's CDT manual.
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