D4260 Dental Code
D4260 Dental Code is the dental procedure for Osseous surgery (including elevation of a full thickness flap and closure) – four or more contiguous teeth or tooth bounded spaces per quadrant.
The D4260 Dental Code is a CDT (Current Dental Terminology) procedure code used for osseous surgery, specifically when it involves four or more contiguous teeth or tooth-bounded spaces per quadrant. This surgical dental procedure includes the elevation of a full-thickness flap, reshaping or removal of bone (osseous recontouring), and closure of the surgical site. It is most commonly performed in cases where there is moderate to severe periodontal disease and bone loss that cannot be treated with non-surgical methods.
When using CDT D4260 for dental billing, it is crucial to understand the clinical context and ensure that the procedure performed aligns precisely with what this code represents. Accurate coding helps avoid insurance claim denials and ensures proper reimbursement for periodontal surgical services.
If you are preparing to submit insurance claims or invoice for services using the D4260 CDT code, we strongly recommend that you also review related or similar periodontal surgery codes, or other flap procedures. Sometimes, a different CDT code may more accurately reflect the dental procedure performed, depending on the exact number of teeth treated or the extent of surgical intervention required.
To ensure accuracy and compliance in your dental billing process, consult the most recent CDT coding guidelines published by the American Dental Association (ADA). Cross-checking with alternative CDT codes can help prevent miscoding and improve billing efficiency.
If you need further clarification or support regarding D4260 Dental Code or any other CDT codes, feel free to contact us through our contact form or leave your questions in the comment section below. Our experienced dental coding professionals are here to assist you with the latest updates, definitions, and proper use of dental procedure codes for insurance and billing purposes.
D4260 Dental Code Definition
What is D4260 Dental Code?
The D4260 Dental Code is a Current Dental Terminology (CDT) code used by dental professionals to identify and bill for a specific type of periodontal surgery known as osseous surgery. This dental procedure involves elevating a full-thickness flap, performing bone reshaping or recontouring (osseous resection or modification), and then closing the surgical site. The D4260 CDT code specifically applies when this procedure is performed on four or more contiguous teeth or tooth-bounded spaces within one quadrant of the mouth.
Osseous surgery (D4260) is often indicated for patients who suffer from advanced periodontal disease that has not responded to non-surgical treatments such as scaling and root planing. This surgery is designed to reduce pocket depths, eliminate bacteria, smooth bone defects, and create a healthier environment for gums and teeth, thereby improving long-term periodontal health and stability.
The D4260 CDT code is commonly used in dental insurance billing and claim submissions, and it is essential to ensure that this code accurately reflects the extent of the surgical treatment provided. The “four or more teeth” specification distinguishes this code from similar procedures involving fewer teeth, which is used when the same surgery is performed on fewer than four teeth per quadrant.
When preparing dental procedure claims or treatment plans, always review related periodontal codes to determine the most appropriate code based on the number of teeth treated and the exact nature of the surgical procedure. Proper documentation and precise coding are key to avoiding claim denials and ensuring maximum reimbursement from dental insurance providers.
D4260 Dental Code & CDT Codes Explained
What are CDT Codes (Current Dental Terminology)?
CDT Codes, short for Current Dental Terminology Codes, are a standardized set of alphanumeric codes developed and maintained by the American Dental Association (ADA). These codes are essential in the dental industry for accurately reporting, documenting, and billing dental procedures across practices, insurance providers, and regulatory entities. The CDT coding system ensures that dental procedures are uniformly described and universally recognized across all dental billing and claim submission processes.
One important code within this system is the D4260 Dental Code, which represents osseous surgery (including elevation of a full-thickness flap and closure) involving four or more contiguous teeth or tooth-bounded spaces per quadrant. This surgical treatment is used primarily in cases of advanced periodontal disease and is performed to reshape the bone structure and eliminate deep pockets caused by bone loss.
CDT codes such as D4260 play a critical role in both clinical documentation and insurance reimbursement. Dental professionals must select the CDT code that best reflects the procedure performed to ensure proper compensation and avoid claim rejections or audits.
Understanding CDT codes also involves familiarity with periodic ADA revisions and updates, which may include code additions, deletions, or descriptor modifications. These changes reflect evolving dental practices, technologies, and insurance billing standards. Dental carriers (insurance companies) also rely heavily on CDT codes to determine coverage eligibility and to process patient claims efficiently.
For dentists, dental billers, coders, and practice managers, staying updated with CDT code changes, including accurate use of codes like D4260, is essential. Accurate coding promotes transparency, reduces billing errors, and ensures compliance with industry standards.
What professionals use D4260 Dental Code and Other CDT Codes?
The D4260 Dental Code, along with all other CDT (Current Dental Terminology) codes, is widely used by a variety of dental professionals and organizations across the dental and healthcare industry. These codes are part of the Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature, a standardized and annually updated system maintained by the American Dental Association (ADA). The CDT coding system plays a critical role in dental practice management, insurance billing, and clinical documentation.
Dentists are the primary users of the D4260 CDT code, especially those who specialize in periodontics or perform surgical treatments for periodontal disease. D4260 specifically refers to osseous surgery involving four or more contiguous teeth or tooth-bounded spaces per quadrant—a complex surgical procedure that is often necessary in cases of advanced gum disease and bone loss. Accurate use of this code ensures the procedure is properly recorded and reimbursed by dental insurance providers.
In addition to dentists, dental hygienists, oral surgeons, and periodontists regularly rely on CDT codes when collaborating on treatment plans and surgical procedures. Proper coding enables these professionals to maintain accurate patient records and coordinate care across providers.
Dental billing specialists and insurance coordinators are also key users of CDT codes, including D4260. These administrative professionals are responsible for preparing insurance claims, submitting documentation to dental insurance carriers, and ensuring that procedures are billed correctly based on the services performed. Familiarity with CDT coding allows them to reduce claim rejections and speed up the reimbursement process.
Dental insurance companies and third-party payers use CDT codes to evaluate coverage eligibility, determine benefits, and process claims efficiently. CDT codes like D4260 allow insurance providers to classify procedures consistently and ensure that claims comply with plan limitations and dental coverage guidelines.
Academic institutions and dental coding educators also incorporate CDT codes into curriculum and training programs, teaching dental students and billing professionals how to use these codes accurately in both clinical and administrative settings.
CDT codes such as D4260 are essential tools used by a wide range of dental professionals, including general dentists, specialists, office managers, insurance companies, and educators. These codes provide a common language for identifying dental procedures, facilitating effective communication, billing, and reporting throughout the dental industry.
Do you need help with understanding the D4260 Dental Code or have questions about any other CDT (Current Dental Terminology) Codes? You’re in the right place. At CDT-Codes.com, we are dedicated to providing the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information about dental procedure codes, including D4260 and thousands of other CDT codes used for billing and documentation in dental practices across the United States.
Our professional team of dental coding experts is always ready to assist you with any inquiries related to CDT codes, whether it’s for insurance billing, claim submission, code definitions, or dental treatment planning. If you need assistance identifying the correct CDT code for a specific dental procedure, or if you’re unsure whether D4260 is the appropriate code for osseous surgery involving four or more contiguous teeth per quadrant, we are here to help. Simply reach out to us using our contact us form page or leave your questions in the comments section below, and a knowledgeable team member will get back to you promptly.
CDT-Codes.com is widely recognized as a trusted online resource for dental professionals, billing specialists, and office managers who need fast and reliable access to CDT code information. We constantly monitor changes to the CDT coding system, including annual revisions made by the American Dental Association (ADA), to ensure that the information we publish—such as definitions, usage guidelines, and cross-references—is always current and reliable.
In some cases, new details or updates related to the D4260 Dental Code may become available before they are widely circulated. We greatly appreciate our amazing community of users who help us stay current by sharing new information. If you discover updated terminology, revised ADA descriptors, or other valuable insights related to D4260 or any other CDT code, please share it with us via our contact form or comment area. Once we verify the information, we will make sure to publish it accordingly to help the broader dental community.
Please note that CDT-Codes.com is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with any federal or state dental board, government agency, or professional dental association, including the ADA. Our mission is to serve as a neutral and reliable information hub for all dental professionals seeking clarity and support with CDT dental coding.
Whether you’re a dentist, periodontist, dental billing coordinator, or student in the dental field, you can count on CDT-Codes.com to guide you through the complex world of CDT dental codes, including D4260 and beyond. Contact us today with your questions—we’re here to help.
Additional CDT Codes (Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature)
D4261 Dental Code
D4263 Dental Code
D4264 Dental Code
D4265 Dental Code
D4266 Dental Code
D4267 Dental Code
D4268 Dental Code
D4270 Dental Code
D4271 Dental Code
D4273 Dental Code