CDT Codes (Current Dental Terminology Codes) are updated annually through the addition of new codes, revisions to existing codes, and deletion of obsolete codes. These changes can be difficult for dental professionals to keep up with year after year, but accurate coding is vital for prompt insurance claim reimbursement without denial delays and effortful appeals. That’s why our expert billers have summarized the 2026 CDT Code updates in one place to make keeping up easier for you and your dental team. Read on to see what’s new, what’s changed, and what’s gone for good.
You know that Current Dental Terminology (CDT) is a set of codes with descriptive terms developed and updated annually by the American Dental Association (ADA). But did you know CDT coding is often a source of confusion for dental teams because of changes and updates?
If you’re not always certain which CDT code to use, you are not alone, especially because of the complex nature of when and how they should be applied to procedures.
At DCS, we have what we call The DCS Knowledge Network—our pool of billing experts you have access to when you partner with DCS. This network includes all of our billers, specialists, and managers who are proficient in CDT coding, insurance billing nuances, compliance rules, and more.
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We turned to our DCS Knowledge Network to gather insights into the CDT updates for 2026, and we consolidated all the additions, revisions, and deletions in one place for you.
Share this article with your team, bookmark it, and use the button above to save or print it so you’ll be ready when the changes go into effect on January 1. With our list in hand, your whole team will know exactly which CDT code changes to apply at your dental practice!
*Please note: This article includes all new and deleted codes, but is a focused list on changed/revised codes. There are some revisions that are strictly grammatical editing or clarifying language that we didn't include.
Key takeaways on 2026 CDT code changes:
- CDT codes can be confusing, and keeping up with annual changes is a must.
- Accurately applying CDT code changes directly impacts your revenue—incorrect codes lead to denied claims, extra paperwork, and payment delays.
- When you partner with DCS, you gain access to an exclusive pool of insurance billing experts you can turn to for help with CDT Codes and other concerns.
What are the new CDT codes added for 2026?
Diagnostic & Preventative
D0426 - Collection, preparation, and analysis of saliva sample - point-of-care
Description: Point-of-care medical diagnostic testing is done on-site, typically for rapid results. Examples of this type of testing are: blood glucose, strep, or even pregnancy tests. In the case above, it is specific to tests that check saliva.
D0461 - Testing for cracked tooth
Description: Includes multiple teeth and contralateral comparison(s), as indicated. Diagnostic aids may include, but are not limited to, pressure sensitivity testing, transillumination, staining, etc.
D1720 - Influenza vaccine administration
Prosthodontics, removable
D5877 - Duplication of complete denture - Maxillary
D5878 - Duplication of complete denture - Mandibular
Description: For both codes, it does not involve all steps used in initial fabrication.
Additional details: For insurance carriers that cover this new code, they’ll most likely have it share frequency with D5110/D5120 - Fabrication of a complete denture maxillary/mandibular.
Maxillofacial Prosthetics
D5909 - Maxillary guidance prosthesis with guide flange
Description: Synonymous term: Guidance device, guidance appliance. A prosthesis which guides the remaining portion of the mandible, left after a partial resection, into a more normal relationship with the maxilla. This allows for some tooth-to-tooth or an improved tooth contact, it may also artificially replace missing teeth and thereby increase the masticatory efficiency.
D5930 - Maxillary guidance prosthesis without guide flange
Description: A prosthesis which helps guide the partially resected mandible to a more normal relation with the maxilla allowing for increased tooth contact. It does not have a flange or ramp, however it does assist in directional closure. It may replace missing teeth and thereby increase masticatory efficiency.
D5938-D5941 - Resection prosthesis (mandibular & maxillary/complete & partial removable)
Description: A removable resection prosthesis in which a portion of the maxilla or mandibular is resected and reconstructed with hard or soft tissue. For the mandibular, continuity is maintained or restored.
D5942-5949 - Resection prosthesis, implant/abutment supported removable for partial or full edentulous arch (maxillary & mandibular/complete & partial
Description: An implant/abutment supported removable resection prosthesis for the edentulous arch in which a portion of the arch is resected and reconstructed.
Implant Services
D6280 - Implant maintenance procedures when a full arch removable implant/abutment supported denture is removed and reinserted, including cleansing of prosthesis and abutments - per arch.
Description: This procedure includes active debriding of the implant(s) and examination of all aspects of the implant system, including the occlusion and stability of prosthesis. The patient is also instructed through daily cleansing of the implant(s).
D6049 - Scaling and debridement of a single implant in the presence of peri-implantitis inflammation, bleeding upon probing and increased pocket depths, including cleaning of the implant surfaces, without flap entry and closure
Description: This procedure is not performed in conjunction with D1110, D4910, or D4346.
D6196 - Removal of an indirect restoration on an implant retained abutment
Description: Not to be used for a temporary, provisional, or screw retained restoration.
Adjunctive General Services
D9128/D9129 - Photobiomodulation therapy - First 15-minute increments (and each subsequent 15-minute increment, or portion thereof)
Description: The use of low-level laser therapy to alleviate pain of inflammation, modulate the immune response, and promote tissue healing or regeneration.
D9244 - In-office administration of minimal sedation - single drug - enteral
Description: In-office administration of a drug, as a single or divided dose, to achieve the desired clinical effect, not to exceed the FDA maximum recommended dose (MRD) for unmonitored home use. The single drug may be administered with or without co-administration of nitrous oxide.
D9245 - Administration of moderate sedation - enteral
Description: When moderate sedation is achieved by administration of drug(s) by enteral route only. With or without co-administration of nitrous oxide. The level of anesthesia is determined by the provider’s documentation of the anesthetic effects upon the central nervous system.
D9246/D9247 - Administration of moderate sedation - non-intravenous parenteral - First 15-minute increment (and subsequent 15-minute increments), or any portion thereof
Description: When moderate sedation is achieved by administration of the drug(s) by parenteral route, not including intravenous. With or without co-administration of nitrous oxide.
D9224/D9225 - Administration of general anesthesia with advanced airway - First 15-minute increment (and each subsequent 15-minute increment), or portion thereof
Description: With or without co-administration of nitrous oxide. (More information is available on these codes, specific to the times of sedation and level of anesthesia.)
D9936 - Cleaning and inspection of occlusal guard - per appliance
Description: This procedure does not include any adjustments.
Which CDT codes have been deleted or removed for 2026?
Diagnostic & Preventative
D1352 - Preventive resin restoration in a moderate to high caries risk patient - permanent tooth
Reason for deletion:
“Code D1352 is deleted because the updated D2391 code can now be used to accurately document and report the same procedure. The deletion for D2391’s descriptor removes the requirement for specifying lesion depth, allowing it to be used for any one-surface posterior composite restoration.”
D1705/D1706 - AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine administration - first & second doses
D1707/D1712 - Janssen COVID-19 vaccine administration - first & booster doses
CDT codes being retained include Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine administrations.
Adjunctive General Services
D9248 Non-intravenous conscious sedation
Description: Includes non-IV minimal and moderate sedation.
Reason for deletion:
“A comprehensive restructuring of anesthesia-related codes improves clarity and documentation consistency. Practice should train billing staff to prevent incorrect use of these newly formatted codes” —adcaonline.org
Which CDT codes have been revised or had important changes for 2026?
Diagnostic & Preventative
D0180 - Comprehensive periodontal evaluation - new or established patient
Description: Changed verbiage to focus on “full mouth” and “comprehensive.” Also focuses on the fact that the exam is for “patients exhibiting signs or symptoms of periodontal disease, systemic medical conditions, or patients with social risk factors.”
Additional details: To bill this exam code, remember that probing and periodontal charting will need to be attached.
Restorative
D2391 - Resin-based composite - one surface, posterior
Description: Removed verbiage about it not being a preventative procedure.
Additional details: This is related to the deletion of D1352. Offices will no longer be able to bill D1352, so if this is a commonly used code for your teams, reach out to your offices!
Prosthodontics, removable
D5863-D5867 - Overdenture (complete/partial & mandibular/maxillary) including replacements
Description: Added verbiage to specify that this is for overdentures that are natural tooth borne.
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
D7285/D7286 - Incisional biopsy of oral tissue (hard & soft)
Description: Verbiage to be specific to lesions, adding language to include intra-osseous (cysts/tumors).
Adjunctive General Services
D9222/D9223 - Administration of deep sedation/general anesthesia - First 15-minute increment, or any portion thereof (+ each subsequent 15 minutes)
Description: Added verbiage to specify it could be 15-minute increments or any portion of, also added “with or without administration of nitrous”.
D9230 - Administration of nitrous oxide
Description: Specified that this is when nitrous is used as a single agent.
D9243 - Administration of moderate sedation - Intravenous - Each subsequent 15 minutes or any portion thereof
Description: Still IV, but removed “conscious” and specified that it’s 15 minutes or any portion of.
Use the 2026 CDT Codes with confidence when you have DCS by your side
To recap, we’ve listed here:
- The new CDT codes added for 2026
- CDT codes that have been deleted or removed for 2026
- CDT codes that have been revised or had important changes for 2026
CDT codes can be hard for dental teams to learn about and keep up with, but accurate CDT coding supports prompt claim reimbursement and compliance. It is always worth the effort it takes to learn and use these annual CDT code changes so you file clean claims that carry the correct codes.
Whenever CDT Codes have you confused or frustrated, remember that DCS is here for you!
When your office uses our Insurance Billing or Special A/R Projects services, your dedicated specialist and our entire DCS Knowledge Network are available to answer all of your questions and concerns about CDT codes. We even have an Oral Surgery Billing department to help you with the added challenge of medical codes.
Don’t let annual CDT Code changes cost you time and revenue: Book a free 30-minute consultation with DCS today.
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