67 changes coming to CDT 2027
Actions address healing caps, orofacial pain management
Sixty-seven changes are coming to the CDT Code in 2027, including 28 additions, 33 revisions and six editorial updates.
The Code Maintenance Committee met March 13 at ADA Headquarters in Chicago to accept, revise or decline proposed changes to CDT 2027. The meeting report is available for review and download at ADA.org/cdt.
“The Code Maintenance Committee meeting provides an open and collaborative process, and this year showed strong engagement from a wide range of stakeholders. There was significant public interest and momentum leading into the discussion, which contributed to a thoughtful and well‑informed dialogue,” said Paula Crum, D.D.S., a member of the Code Maintenance Committee, which is a standing committee of the ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs.
The Council on Dental Benefit Programs will assign CDT numbers to each new code and ensure all other actions are reflected in CDT 2027, which will be available this fall. All code changes approved at the meeting will be effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Highlights include:
• A new code for the removal of a screw-retained indirect restoration on an implant to enable treatment of the implant body.
• A new code for the placement of a healing cap. This code is intended to be used whenever a healing cap is placed — for example, after implant placement, after second-stage implant surgery or when removing an indirect restoration to enable treatment of the implant body.
• New codes for repairing or removing a fixed splint.
• New codes for implant- and abutment-retained interim fixed dentures for the partially edentulous arch.
• A revision to code D2390 for the placement of a direct resin-based composite crown to allow this code to be used to document and report the procedure delivered to any tooth — anterior or posterior. Previous nomenclature specified application for anterior teeth only.
• Revisions to the section for removable and fixed adjunctive orthodontic therapy. This section, previously titled “Minor Treatments to Control Harmful Habits,” includes revisions to codes D8210 and D8220.
• Additions and revisions to codes for semi-precision abutments and attachments that improve code selection when placing semi-precision abutments on a natural tooth versus an implant and code selection when replacing a replaceable part on a semi-precision attachment on a natural tooth-borne prosthesis versus an implant prosthesis.
• A revision to the code for the administration of neuromodulators and new codes for the delivery of chemodenervation procedures to delineate cosmetic versus therapeutic procedures.
• A suite of new codes for orofacial pain management, such as injection blocks for the occipital nerve, peripheral nerve and sphenopalatine ganglion as well as tendon/ligament and trigger-point muscle injections.
Code change requests for CDT 2028 are due by Nov. 1. The Code Maintenance Committee will meet March 4-5, 2027, to take action on requests received by that date. Anyone, including dentists, office staff, individuals with an interest in dental coding, professional organizations and companies, can submit a request by filling out the official form at ADA.org/cdt and emailing it to dentalcode@ada.org.
For more information on the Code Maintenance Committee and its processes, visit ADA.org/cdt.
