About this list: CDT® (Current Dental Terminology) is a copyrighted code set maintained and published by the American Dental Association (ADA). The codes and short, generic descriptions below are provided for general reference and documentation planning only — they are not exhaustive, are not the official ADA code descriptors, and fees/coverage vary by payer. Always confirm current codes, nomenclature, and billing rules against the official ADA CDT manual or your payer's guidelines before submitting a claim.

Diagnostic (D0100–D0999)

Exams, radiographs, and evaluations used to assess a patient's condition. See our guide on writing a SOAP note for how exam findings feed into the Objective and Assessment sections.

CodeDescription
D0120Periodic oral evaluation, established patient
D0140Limited oral evaluation, problem focused
D0150Comprehensive oral evaluation, new or established patient
D0160Detailed and extensive oral evaluation, problem focused
D0180Comprehensive periodontal evaluation
D0210Intraoral, complete series of radiographic images (FMX)
D0220Intraoral, periapical, first radiographic image
D0230Intraoral, periapical, each additional radiographic image
D0270Bitewing, single radiographic image
D0274Bitewings, four radiographic images
D0330Panoramic radiographic image
D03502D oral/facial photographic image
D0470Diagnostic casts/study models

Preventive (D1000–D1999)

Cleanings, fluoride, sealants, and patient education — the codes used most in hygiene visits. See CDT codes every hygienist should know and the guide to writing prophy notes for documentation that supports these codes.

CodeDescription
D1110Prophylaxis, adult
D1120Prophylaxis, child
D1206Topical application of fluoride varnish
D1208Topical application of fluoride, excluding varnish
D1310Nutritional counseling for control of dental disease
D1330Oral hygiene instructions
D1351Sealant, per tooth
D1354Interim caries arresting medicament application
D1510Space maintainer, fixed, unilateral
D1575Distal shoe space maintainer, fixed, unilateral

Restorative (D2000–D2999)

Fillings, crowns, and related restorative procedures.

CodeDescription
D2140Amalgam, one surface, permanent
D2150Amalgam, two surfaces, permanent
D2160Amalgam, three surfaces, permanent
D2330Resin-based composite, one surface, anterior
D2331Resin-based composite, two surfaces, anterior
D2391Resin-based composite, one surface, posterior
D2392Resin-based composite, two surfaces, posterior
D2393Resin-based composite, three surfaces, posterior
D2740Crown, porcelain/ceramic
D2750Crown, porcelain fused to high noble metal
D2790Crown, full cast high noble metal
D2950Core buildup, including any pins
D2954Prefabricated post and core, in addition to crown

Endodontics (D3000–D3999)

Root canal therapy and related pulp treatments.

CodeDescription
D3220Therapeutic pulpotomy
D3310Root canal therapy, anterior tooth
D3320Root canal therapy, premolar tooth
D3330Root canal therapy, molar tooth
D3346Retreatment of previous root canal therapy, anterior
D3410Apicoectomy, anterior
D3910Surgical procedure for isolation of tooth with rubber dam

Periodontics (D4000–D4999)

Treatment for gum and supporting bone disease. Documentation for this category is scrutinized closely by payers — see our periodontal charting documentation guide and how to document scaling and root planing.

CodeDescription
D4210Gingivectomy or gingivoplasty, four or more teeth per quadrant
D4240Gingival flap procedure, four or more teeth per quadrant
D4260Osseous surgery, four or more teeth per quadrant
D4341Periodontal scaling and root planing, four or more teeth per quadrant
D4342Periodontal scaling and root planing, one to three teeth per quadrant
D4355Full mouth debridement
D4381Localized delivery of antimicrobial agents
D4910Periodontal maintenance

Prosthodontics (D5000–D6999)

Removable and fixed prosthetics replacing missing teeth.

CodeDescription
D5110Complete denture, maxillary
D5120Complete denture, mandibular
D5213Maxillary partial denture, cast metal framework
D5214Mandibular partial denture, cast metal framework
D5511Repair broken complete denture base, mandibular
D6010Surgical placement of implant body, endosteal implant
D6057Custom fabricated abutment
D6065Implant supported porcelain/ceramic crown
D6240Pontic, porcelain fused to high noble metal
D6750Retainer crown, porcelain fused to high noble metal

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (D7000–D7999)

Extractions and other surgical procedures.

CodeDescription
D7140Extraction, erupted tooth or exposed root
D7210Surgical extraction, erupted tooth requiring elevation/sectioning
D7220Removal of impacted tooth, soft tissue
D7230Removal of impacted tooth, partially bony
D7240Removal of impacted tooth, completely bony
D7285Incisional biopsy of oral tissue, hard
D7286Incisional biopsy of oral tissue, soft
D7510Incision and drainage of abscess, intraoral soft tissue
D7960Frenulectomy

Orthodontics (D8000–D8999)

Diagnosis and treatment of misaligned teeth and jaws.

CodeDescription
D8010Limited orthodontic treatment of the primary dentition
D8070Comprehensive orthodontic treatment of the transitional dentition
D8080Comprehensive orthodontic treatment of the adolescent dentition
D8090Comprehensive orthodontic treatment of the adult dentition
D8660Pre-orthodontic treatment examination
D8670Periodic orthodontic treatment visit
D8680Orthodontic retention

Adjunctive General Services (D9000–D9999)

Anesthesia, palliative treatment, and other services that don't fit elsewhere.

CodeDescription
D9110Palliative (emergency) treatment of dental pain
D9210Local anesthesia not in conjunction with operative/surgical procedures
D9230Inhalation of nitrous oxide/analgesia, anxiolysis
D9248Non-intravenous conscious sedation
D9310Consultation, diagnostic service by a practitioner other than the treating dentist
D9430Office visit for observation, no other services performed
D9440Office visit, after regularly scheduled hours
D9944Occlusal guard, hard appliance, full arch
D9972External bleaching, per arch

Write notes that support the right code

A code is only as good as the note behind it. If you're documenting periodontal procedures, start with our periodontal charting documentation guide. For general visit notes, see how to write a dental SOAP note. For how documentation gaps translate into denied claims, read how poor documentation leads to insurance claim denials.