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Coding with Kyle: Limited orthodontic treatment

July 11, 2018
Dental coding can be a bit tricky for the front office staff. It's important to know when to bill for what. This month's coding column focuses on limited orthodontic coding.

This article originally appeared in Dental Office Manager Digest e-newsletter. Subscribe to this informative monthly ENL designed specifically for the dental office manager here.


Last month, this month, and next month, I will focus on billing for orthodontic procedures. Each of these coding articles will consist of the different steps involved when billing for ortho.

What exactly is limited orthodontic treatment? Limited orthodontic treatment usually does not consist of tooth movement involving the maxillary and mandibular arch and may only involve minor or minimal therapy.

There are four types of limited orthodontic treatment descriptors, so there are four known ADA codes that can be used when reporting such treatments.

D8010—Limited orthodontic treatment of the primary dentition

This code is commonly used for children, and primary teeth are present and erupted.

D8020—Limited orthodontic treatment of the transitional dentition

This code is commonly used for children who are in the process of losing their primary teeth and have some permanent teeth already present.

D8030—Limited orthodontic treatment of the adolescent dentition

This code is commonly used for young teenagers in whom the permanent teeth are fully present. But, due to their age, they are still undergoing bone growth, which could affect the upper and lower jaws.

D8040—Limited orthodontic treatment of the adult dentition

This code is commonly used for adults who are undergoing minor corrections and minimal movement.

Happy coding! Now, go save those teeth!

PREVIOUS CODING WITH KYLE ARTICLES
Billing for orthodontic retainers
Codes 2952 and 2954
D2950 core buildup, including pins when required

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About the Author

Kyle L. Summerford

With more than 22 years of experience in dental, Kyle L. Summerford has a unique approach to case presentation and patient acceptance. As an OM and financial dental consultant, he leverages his knowledge to assist new and struggling dental practices. Through his education programs, Kyle empowers staff members with effective patient education skills and persuasion techniques. He has lectured at CE events and academic institutions. His expertise is further recognized through his column, Dental Coding with Kyle. He’s the founder of the Dental Office Managers Community. Visit his website at kylesummerford.com.