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endodontics: two revised codes • D3120 – This pulp capping code’s descriptor now includes, “This code is not to be used for bases and liners when all caries has been removed.” • D3331 – For treatment of root canal obstruction of at least 50 percent of the root with a non-surgical access, the descriptor now adds “including but not limited to separated instruments, broken posts” as examples of foreign bodies.
periodontics: 11 revised codes • D4210 – Gingivectomy or gingivoplasty code for four or more contiguous teeth or bounded teeth spaces. The word “and” was replaced with the word “or” in the descriptor, indicating these procedures can be performed under any of the conditions listed. • D4211 – This gingivectomy or gingivoplasty code is used for one to three contiguous teeth or bounded teeth spaces per quadrant. Same change as D4210. • D4240 – Used for gingival flap procedures. Several sections of the descriptor for gingival flap procedure—including root planning for four or more contiguous teeth or bounded teeth spaces—were revised. Widman surgery was removed. The word “and” was replaced with “or” in the second to the last sentence, indicating these procedures can be performed under any of the conditions, but not all are required. The last sentence now reads: “Other procedures may be required concurrent to D4240 and should be reported separately using their own unique codes. The old version said specific procedures such as D3450, D3920, D4263, D4265, D4266, D4267, and D7140 might be required concurrent to D4240. • D4241 –Used for gingival flap procedures, but for one to three contiguous teeth or bounded teeth spaces per quadrant. The revisions to this code are identical to D4240, except “See D4240 descriptor” was deleted. • D4260 –Specific codes were eliminated from this osseous surgery code’s descriptor, which now reads “other procedures” to allow separate billing of these codes on the same service date. • D4261 – The revisions to this osseous surgery code are identical to code D4260, with the exception of the “See D4260 descriptor” deletion. • D4263 – The section in the descriptor that lists the procedures this bone replacement graft code does not include has changed. The old version lists placement of biologic materials to aid in osseous tissue regeneration of barrier membranes as one of these procedures. The revised sentence says “or barrier membranes.” Specific procedure codes were deleted, replaced with “other procedures,” allowing separate billing for these codes on the same service date. • D4264 – Similar to D4263 but used for each additional site in a quadrant. The descriptor’s first sentence no longer states that it requires bone formation stimulation. A new sentence from code D4263 was added: “This procedure does not include flap entry and closure, wound debridement, osseous contouring, or the placement of biologic materials to aid in osseous tissue regeneration or barrier membranes.” • D4265 – This biologic materials code received the same revision as D4263. Specific procedure codes not included with D4265 were deleted. It also allows separate billing of other procedures on the same service date. • D4266 – This guided tissue regeneration code now allows other separate procedures to be billed on the same service date. The last sentence, “When no tooth is present, each site should be reported separately,” was deleted. • D4267 – This nonresorbable barrier guided tissue regeneration code received two descriptor revisions. The first lists the procedures not included, such as “flap entry and closure, wound debridement, osseous contouring, bone replacement grafts, or the placement of biologic materials to aid in osseous tissue regeneration.” The second states: “When no tooth is present, each site should be reported separately.” It, too, allows for separate procedures to be billed on the same service date.
Prosthodontics, fixed: two revised codes • D6970 – “Cast” was deleted from post and core and “indirectly fabricated” were added to allow for custom fabrication. • D6976 –Same revisions as D6970, but deleted procedure code D6971 in the “to be used with” sentence was removed. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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