CDT Code Updates for 2025: Key Changes and Practice Implications

Current dental terminology (CDT) codes help dental practices maintain accurate patient records, streamline billing and insurance claims, ensure regulatory compliance, enhance patient transparency, and improve overall practice efficiency and revenue management. Whether in a dental practice or a dental billing company, it’s essential for teams to keep up with CDT coding changes for accurately coding every procedure and submitting precise claims using the latest codes. This post discusses the CDT code updates 2025, which include ten new codes, twelve revised codes, two deletions, and several dental procedure nomenclature revisions.

CDT Code Updates Effective January 1, 2025

There are ten updated CDT procedure codes for dentists in 2025:

1. D2956: Removal of an indirect restoration on a natural tooth.

This new code applies to the removal of an indirect restoration as part of definitive treatment.

This new code applies to the removal of an indirect restoration included in the definitive treatment (the fees are not separately billable to the patient).

2. D6180: Implant maintenance procedures when a full arch fixed hybrid prosthesis is not removed, including cleansing of prosthesis and abutments.

Depending on the dental plan, the following limitations and exclusions could apply:

• Is a benefit only when implants are covered by group/individual contract, and when codes D6114 and D6115 (implant/abutment-supported fixed denture) are covered.
• When covered, D6180 is a benefit once in 36 months, per arch. D6180 and D6080 share a 36-month frequency interval.
• D6180 is not covered when done within 12 months of the insertion of a fixed hybrid prosthesis.
• If D6180 is done within 12 months of the denture service, by the same dentist/dental office, the fee for the denture includes the fee for D6180.

3. D6193: Replacement of an implant screw.

Depending on the dental plan, the limitations and exclusions that could apply include:

• This service is a benefit only when implants are covered by group/individual contract.
• The D6193 benefit is available once every 24 months.
• If performed within six months of the initial prosthesis placement by the same provider, the fees are included in the prosthesis service.
• The fee for the replacement implant screw is included in the fee for prosthesis if the service is done within 6 months of the initial placement of an implant supported prosthesis.
• When done on the same date of service as D6193, the fee for D6089 (accessing and retorquing loose implant screw) is not separately billable to the patient.

4. D7252: Partial extraction for immediate implant placement

This code applies to partial tooth extractions in conjunction with implant placement. Limitations and exclusions could apply based on the benefit plan include:

• Is a benefit only when implants are covered.
• Covered only once in a lifetime, per tooth, in conjunction with implant placement.
• Is not a benefit when implants are not performed at the same date of service.
• Subsequent extraction procedures submitted for the same tooth irrespective of provider, are not a benefit.

5. D7259: Nerve dissection

Depending on the dental plan, limitations and exclusions that could apply include:

• Nerve dissection is included in CDT code D7241 (removal of an impacted tooth – completely bony, with unusual surgical complications). When performed under D7241, no additional fee is allowed for the dissection.
• If D7259 is not billed with D7241, nerve dissection is considered a specialized procedure and is typically not covered by most dental plans.

6. D8091: Comprehensive orthodontic treatment with orthognathic surgery

Depending on the dental plan, limitations and exclusions that could apply include:

• Benefits are payable only when the supporting documentation satisfies the criteria for coverage.
• Orthodontic procedures D8010–D8090 may not be billed separately to the patient when performed in conjunction with code D8091.

7. D8671: Periodic orthodontic treatment visit with orthognathic surgery

Depending on the dental plan, limitations and exclusions that could apply are:

• The fee for D8671 is included in the fee for D8091, comprehensive orthodontic treatment with orthognathic surgery.
• Periodic orthodontic treatment (D8670) is not billable as a separate procedure when provided on the same date as D8671.

8. D9913: Administration of neuromodulators

Depending on the dental plan, limitations and exclusions that could apply are:

• This service is not a benefit of most plans and the patient has to pay the fee.
• When covered, D9913 is subject to primary coverage under the patient’s medical carrier.
• D9913 is a covered benefit only for enrollees whose plan includes TMJ services. Coverage is limited to one administration every 60 months.

9. D9914: Administration of dermal fillers

Depending on the dental plan, limitations and exclusions that could apply are:

• D9914 is not a covered benefit under most dental plans. When covered, it is subject to primary coverage through the patient’s medical carrier.
• As a cosmetic service, D9914 is only a benefit for enrollees with cosmetic coverage, and it is limited to one administration every 60 months.

10. D9959: Unspecified sleep apnea procedure

• This service is generally not covered by most plans, and the fee is the patient’s responsibility.

Deleted CDT Codes

In 2025, two CDT were deleted:

D2941 (Interim therapeutic restoration – primary dentition) and

D6095 (Repair implant abutment, by report).

The deletion of D2941 is part of an effort to simplify the documentation of interim restorations, with the procedure now covered under the revised D2940 code. The related code, D2940, was revised and now serves as a single code for placing any interim direct restoration, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).

Nomenclature and Descriptor Revisions

The nomenclature and descriptors of several codes have been updated for clarity/scope.

• Revisions to CDT codes D5520, D5640, and D5650 — Nomenclatural updates to clarify their purpose and expand their scope, primarily affecting replacement codes for complete and partial dentures.
• New descriptor for D6081—“Scaling and debridement of a single implant in the presence of mucositis, including inflammation, bleeding upon probing, and increased pocket depths; includes cleaning of the implant surfaces, without flap entry and closure”.
• CDT code D2940, formerly “protective restoration,” was revised to “placement of interim direct restoration” to simplify reporting by consolidating multiple codes for temporary restorations into a single one.
• D2940 — The term “protective restoration” for D2940 was changed to “placement of interim direct restoration”. Code D2941, “Interim therapeutic restoration — primary dentition,” was deleted. D2940 now serves as the single code for any type of interim direct restoration.
• D0801 and D0802—Revisions for 3D intraoral surface scans clarify their use as included parts of definitive procedures rather than separate billable services.

CDT 2025 Coding Compliance for Dental Practices: 7 Best Practices

Adhering to the latest coding standards ensures compliance with payer requirements and helps maximize reimbursement:

• Updated systems: Coding accuracy in dentistry requires updating practice management software, billing systems, and claim templates to include the annual CDT code changes before they come into effect.

• Train providers and staff: Educate clinical, administrative, and billing teams on new vs revised vs deleted codes. This is essential to avoid misuse or use of deleted codes that can cause denials, delays, or audits.

• Check payer adoption and contract language: Individual payers may have delays or exceptions in adopting certain codes. Their benefit contracts may not automatically cover all new codes.

• Pay attention to “not billable to patient” rules/bundling logic: Some new or revised codes come with instructions (or payer policies) that the fee may not be separately billed to the patient in certain circumstances (e.g., as part of another procedure).

• Ensure documentation aligns with the descriptor language: Because descriptors have been refined, your clinical notes and documentation should reflect the wording in the descriptor to support claims (e.g., noting inflammation, bleeding, pocket depths explicitly when using D6081).

• Remove deleted codes: Removing the deleted codes from your templates, fee schedules, and systems is crucial to prevent inadvertent use.

• Monitor denials/appeals: As insurers adjust to new codes, you may see more denials. Be ready to appeal with proper documentation or adjust your submissions.

Staying current with CDT code updates for 2025 is essential to ensure accurate documentation, proper claim submission, and compliance with payer requirements. With new, revised, and deleted codes taking effect, dental practices need to adapt quickly to avoid denials and revenue loss.

For many practices, outsourced dental billing services offer a practical solution for navigating code changes and payer policies, streamlining claims management, and reducing administrative burdens. Billing experts monitor coding updates and payer policies in real time. They ensure that all services are reported using the latest codes, promoting efficient dental revenue cycle management and allowing you to focus on patient care.

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Amber Darst

Amber Darst is our Solutions Manager in the Healthcare Division, Practice and RCM. She is CPC certified by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). With a rich background in dental services, her expertise ranges from insurance coordination to office management.

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