What Dental Practices Must Know About CDT Code Updates

Each year, the ADA updates the CDT Code, adding new procedures, revising descriptors, and deleting outdated codes. These updates directly affect how dental practices code, document, and get paid.

Whether you’re a solo dentist, practice manager, or a multi-location group, understanding CDT revisions helps you stay compliant and reduce billing errors with professional dental billing services, and ensure patients receive accurate, up-to-date care.

Here, you’ll quickly learn what’s new in ADA’s 2026 CDT updates, why these changes matter, and how to apply them correctly in billing. We’ll also cover common coding mistakes, best documentation practices, and practical steps to avoid denials.

What Are CDT Code Updates and Why Do They Change Every Year?

The CDT Code (Current Dental Terminology), maintained by the ADA, serves as the standardized dental procedure code set required for dental billing and coding.

Each year, the ADA’s Code Maintenance Committee (CMC) reviews proposed changes, then approves additions, revisions, deletions, and editorial updates to reflect:

• Evolving dental procedures
• New technologies
• Changes in clinical practice

Updates are required to keep the code set aligned with dentistry, including new treatments, materials, implants, diagnostics (e.g., saliva testing), and changes in how certain procedures are documented.

Without updates, claims may be rejected, documentation may be inaccurate, and practices may risk compliance or reimbursement issues.

What Are the Key CDT Code Changes for 2026?

The 2026 CDT Code updates include a mix of new codes, revisions, and deletions. These changes reflect how dental procedures and documentation have evolved, and help practices ensure accurate dental coding with maximum reimbursements.

New CDT Codes Introduced

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the 2026 edition includes 31 new CDT codes.

Some of the new codes include:

These new codes help practices capture detailed clinical work, improve documentation, and reduce the need for broad or inaccurate reporting.

Revised CDT Codes

The ADA also revised several existing codes to clarify descriptions and improve coding accuracy.

Notable revisions include:

These revisions help dental practice staff match documentation to the intended clinical meaning of each code, reducing errors and denials.

Deleted or Removed Codes

The ADA also removes codes that are no longer useful, redundant, or better covered by updated codes.

Notable examples include:

These removals reflect changes in how certain services are documented; practices should check the official CDT manuals to avoid using outdated entries.

How Do CDT Code Updates Affect Dental Insurance Billing?

Any electronic or paper dental claim must be included with codes from the latest version of CDT.

Key impacts for insurers and billing include:

• Claims for services performed on or after January 1 of the update year must use updated codes.
• If a provider uses old or deleted codes, claims may be rejected or denied.
• Commercial insurers like Delta Dental emphasize that coverage for new codes depends on each patient’s specific benefit plan.
• Payer handbooks and processing policies are updated to reflect CDT changes; therefore, dentists and billing staff must review and align to avoid denied claims.

Consequently, dental practices must update their billing templates, fee schedules, and staff training when a new CDT edition goes live.

Which Dental Specialties Are Most Impacted by the New CDT Updates?

CDT updates affect all areas of dentistry, but some specialties see more significant impact due to new or revised codes.

How Should Dental Practices Update Their EHR, PMS, and Billing Systems?

It’s important for dental practices to update systems and processes to stay compliant and avoid claim errors. Follow this checklist:

Get the Latest CDT Manual

• The updated manual (e.g., CDT 2026) is effective Jan 1 of the update year. The ADA Coding Companion (available as a book, e-book, or app) includes FAQs and real examples, which are helpful for staff training.

Update Your Practice Management Software (PMS) / EHR

• Add the new CDT codes to billing templates, fee schedules, and claim forms.
• Remove or mark obsolete/deleted codes from your system.

Revise Fee Schedules and Documentation Templates

• Include new codes in treatment plans, patient consent forms, and service menus.
• Make sure descriptions for restorative or prosthetic work, tooth numbers, surfaces, implants, and other details match the updated CDT descriptors.

Train Your Staff

• Train dentists, assistants, front desk, and billing staff using ADA resources or the Coding Companion.
• Focus on documentation requirements, coding protocols, and payer-specific rules.
• ADA also provides on-demand courses explaining major 2026 changes, such as diagnostic tests, implant maintenance, and anesthesia.

Communicate with Insurance Payers / Benefit Providers

• Confirm which new codes are covered by each patient’s plan. Coverage may differ between payers.
• Adjust internal policies for claims submission, out-of-network billing, or subcontracted services as needed.

Audit Past and Upcoming Claims

• For services performed around the transition (December/January), make sure the correct CDT code is used.
• Periodically review denied or rejected claims to catch errors caused by old or deleted codes or incorrect descriptors.

Following these steps ensures your practice migrates safely to the new CDT version, reduces claim denials, and stays compliant.

How to Use the New CDT Codes Correctly to Avoid Claim Denials

Proper use of updated CDT codes and clear documentation is key to smooth and compliant claims. Keep these points in mind:

• Always use the correct CDT version (e.g., CDT 2026 for services done on or after Jan 1, 2026).
• Do not use deleted or outdated codes; they lead to denials or audits.
• Follow the updated code descriptors exactly. For example, if D2391 now allows a one-surface resin composite without depth details, document it correctly.
• Record all clinical details: tooth number, surface, implant status, prosthesis type, previous restorations, etc.
• Check each payer’s rules; some may consider new codes non-covered or experimental, depending on the plan.
• For multi-step treatments (implants, dentures, orthodontic-surgical cases), bill only what was done at each visit and document every phase.

Staying consistent with CDT updates and documentation standards helps prevent denials and reduce billing mistakes.

Common CDT Coding Errors and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced dental coders make mistakes after updates. These common errors often lead to delays, denials, or compliance problems:

• Old codes left in your templates and used in billing can end up on claims.
• Misuse of revised codes due to outdated descriptors, assuming the old descriptor applies when it no longer does.
• Incomplete documentation, missing tooth surface, implant status, prosthesis details, or type of service (e.g., maintenance vs repair).
• Failure to check payer coverage for new codes leads to surprise denials or patient balance billing.
• Not retraining staff, causing inconsistent coding across front desk, clinical, and billing personnel.
• Mixing old and new codes in the same patient record, for example, combining old restorative codes with new implant maintenance codes, which leads to insurer rejection.

To avoid these, do a full audit of your code lists, update templates, run mock claims, and train staff before the new CDT version goes live.

How CDT Code Updates Integrate With Medical Billing for Dental Procedures?

While CDT is primarily for dental billing, some procedures bridge into medical treatment, especially with implants, surgical extractions, sleep‑apnea devices, or complex oral surgery.

• For dental procedures with medical implications (e.g., sleep apnea devices, TMJ surgery, orthognathic surgery, IV sedation), practices may need to cross-reference with medical code sets like ICD-10 or CPT (depending on payer guidelines)
• When submitting claims to medical insurers rather than dental payers (or for combined medical‑dental plans), accurate CDT documentation supports the medical claim.
• As CDT adds point-of-care diagnostic testing (D0426) and vaccine administration (D1720), it better aligns dental documentation with medical workflows and preventive care models, supporting integrated care in settings where dental and medical services overlap.

Payer Coverage and Denial Risk: What to Watch Out For

Not every new CDT code is automatically covered by every dental insurance plan. Major payers, such as Delta Dental, caution providers.

Coverage and processing policies vary by benefit plan, and some new codes may be treated as experimental, excluded, or subject to limitations.

These are key considerations for billing teams and providers:

• Always verify benefits for each patient before performing or billing a new CDT-coded procedure.
• Preauthorization may be required for new, complex, or higher-cost procedures.
• Fees and coverage limitations, some codes might only be covered at certain frequencies (e.g., implant maintenance once every 24-36 months), or only under specific conditions.
• Patient communication is vital when using new codes; inform patients about possible coverage variability, potential out-of-pocket costs, and the necessity of preauthorization or documentation.
• Maintain clear documentation (clinical notes, radiographs, treatment plans) to support claims in case of audits or denials.

Documentation and Compliance: Best Practices After a CDT Update

With new and updated CDT procedures, good documentation is more important than ever. Use these simple best practices to stay compliant, clear, and ready for payer reviews:

• Write detailed clinical notes: include tooth numbers, surfaces, implant status, prosthesis type, what type of service was done (maintenance, repair, duplication), any pre-existing conditions (like peri-implantitis), and diagnostic results (such as saliva tests or cracked-tooth diagnostics).
• Keep treatment plans and patient charts clear, and make sure they show the exact CDT codes you used.
• Check your coding regularly (monthly or quarterly): review submitted claims, denials, and any codes that were questioned, then fix any mistakes.
• Record all refusals or prior authorizations, and save preauthorization forms, benefit checks, and patient consents.
• Train your team every year (or whenever new CDT updates come out): this includes clinicians, assistants, front desk staff, and billing teams. Use tools like the ADA Coding Companion or CE courses.
• Use a version control system: clearly note which CDT version was used for each claim, especially for patients in long and multi-phase treatment plans.

Industry Trends Behind the Changes: What CDT Updates Reveal About the Future of Dentistry

The latest CDT updates highlight the bigger changes happening in dentistry. These updates aren’t random; they show how dental practices are evolving.

Implant dentistry and prosthetic maintenance are becoming central to care

New implant maintenance codes (e.g., D6280, D6196) reflect the growing prevalence of multi-phase implant treatment and maintenance of full-arch and abutment-supported prostheses. Dentistry is moving toward long-term implant care as a core service, not just single procedures.

Diagnostics and preventive care are taking a front seat

Codes like D0426 (point-of-care saliva testing) and D0461 (cracked tooth diagnostics) demonstrate a shift toward early detection and precision preventive dentistry. The future practice model emphasizes intercepting problems before they become major restorative cases.

Routine appliance and prosthesis care is formally recognized

Duplicate denture codes (D5877/D5878) and occlusal guard maintenance (D9947) indicate prosthesis lifecycle management is now part of standard practice. This signals a future where dentistry documents, maintains, and extends the longevity of devices, not just creates them.

Anesthesia and sedation are clarified for safer, more precise care

Deletion of ambiguous codes like D9248 and refinement of sedation/anesthesia coding show a move toward patient safety, compliance, and precision in reporting. Dentistry is increasingly specialty-aware and protocol-driven, aligning with modern clinical standards.

Interdisciplinary and complex care is better documented

Revisions across implants, prosthetics, and diagnostics allow more detailed and comprehensive documentation, supporting coordination across specialties. Future dentistry is integrated, where restorative, surgical, and diagnostic services are coordinated for optimal patient care.

These trends suggest that modern dental practices are evolving rapidly, and coding systems like CDT have adapted accordingly.

Should Dental Practices Outsource CDT Update Management to a Billing Company?

As we’ve discussed, CDT codes are updated annually. 

Keeping up with new, deleted, and revised codes and updating them in practice software and database can be stressful and time-consuming for dental practice staff. 

This is why many practices choose to outsource their billing and coding to reliable billing partners like TransDental. 

Doing so makes this process simple by handling all CDT updates, payer rules, and claim requirements for you. Outsourcing makes sense when:

• Small practices don’t have dedicated billing staff. 
• Busy or multi-specialty offices deal with implants, orthodontics, sleep dentistry, or multiple providers. 
• Practices with many insurance plans need support on eligibility and benefit checks, preauthorizations, and denial handling.
• Practices have high staff turnover.

TransDental helps:

• Reduce errors caused by training gaps
• Manages complex coding and payer differences
• Comply with coding updates seamlessly, ensuring claim accuracy

While outsourcing manages everything for you, there is one thing you need to do. And that’s providing correct documentation to justify coding and procedures billed.

With that, outsourcing manages every aspect of your practice’s billing and coding, making the process easier and claims smoother.

Conclusion

CDT Code Updates show how dentistry is advancing. Staying updated is essential because using outdated codes leads to:

• Billing errors
• Claim denials
• Compliance issues
• Lost revenue

By updating PMS software, training staff, checking payer rules, and auditing claims, practices can avoid these issues and stay compliant. 

Using the correct codes and documenting procedures properly ensures smoother claims, while outsourcing ensures better patient care.

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