D4342 Dental Code
D4342 Dental Code is the dental procedure for Periodontal Scaling And Root Planing, One To Three Teeth, Per Quaddrant – Limited Lto 4 Quadrants During Any 12 Consectutive Months .
The D4342 dental code refers to the dental procedure designated for Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing, one to three teeth, per quadrant. This procedure is a crucial component of non-surgical periodontal therapy and is typically used to treat patients diagnosed with periodontal (gum) disease. It involves the meticulous removal of plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins from below the gumline on one to three affected teeth within a specific quadrant of the mouth.
According to the Current Dental Terminology (CDT) Code guidelines established by the American Dental Association (ADA), D4342 is limited to a maximum of four quadrants during any 12 consecutive months, making accurate documentation and diagnostic justification especially important for dental offices and billing departments.
When submitting claims or performing dental billing for D4342, it is essential to ensure that this code is the most appropriate match for the clinical services rendered. Dental professionals and billing specialists should cross-reference the D4342 code with other CDT codes that may apply to broader or more specific periodontal treatments.
Selecting the correct CDT code not only ensures billing accuracy but also helps prevent insurance claim denials or delays in reimbursement. Each dental insurance provider may have its own guidelines and documentation requirements, so it is advisable to maintain comprehensive clinical notes, periodontal charting, and radiographic evidence when using code D4342.
D4342 Dental Code Definition
What is D4342 Dental Code?
The D4342 dental code is the official Current Dental Terminology (CDT) code used to identify the dental procedure known as Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing for one to three teeth per quadrant. This non-surgical treatment is designed for patients suffering from periodontal (gum) disease and involves a deep cleaning of the tooth surfaces below the gumline to remove accumulated plaque, calculus (tartar), and bacterial toxins that contribute to gum inflammation and bone loss.
Specifically, CDT code D4342 applies when scaling and root planing is performed on a limited number of teeth—between one and three—in a single quadrant of the mouth. This procedure is essential in managing early to moderate stages of periodontal disease and is often recommended when isolated areas of the mouth exhibit signs of infection while the rest of the oral cavity remains relatively healthy.
It is important to note that D4342 is subject to frequency limitations, with coverage typically limited to a maximum of four quadrants during any 12 consecutive months. This guideline helps ensure the procedure is used appropriately and supported by clinical evidence, such as periodontal charting, probing depths, radiographs, and diagnostic notes.
When billing for D4342, accuracy is crucial. Dental professionals should confirm that this code is the most appropriate representation of the treatment rendered.
The D4342 is a targeted periodontal treatment code that plays a key role in the early intervention and management of gum disease in localized areas. It is widely recognized by dental insurance plans, but must be used with proper documentation and clinical justification to ensure successful processing and coverage.
D4342 Dental Code & CDT Codes Explained
What are CDT Codes (Current Dental Terminology)?
Are you wondering what the D4342 dental code means or how it fits into the broader system of CDT dental procedure codes? Understanding CDT codes (Current Dental Terminology) is essential for accurate dental billing, insurance claims processing, and clinical documentation. Whether you’re a dental professional, billing specialist, or patient trying to make sense of dental treatment charges, this information will help you navigate dental code terminology with confidence.
What Are CDT Codes?
CDT codes, short for Current Dental Terminology, are a standardized set of dental procedure codes maintained and published by the American Dental Association (ADA). These codes are used by dentists and dental offices across the United States to report procedures to insurance carriers, streamline documentation, and ensure uniformity in dental records and claims. Every CDT code represents a specific dental service or procedure—from preventive cleanings and X-rays to more complex treatments like periodontal surgery or prosthodontics.
D4342, for example, is the CDT code used to describe Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing for one to three teeth in a single quadrant. It’s a targeted treatment code used when only a few teeth in a particular quadrant of the mouth require deep cleaning to treat localized periodontal (gum) disease. CDT codes like D4342 are key to determining insurance coverage, coding accuracy, and billing transparency.
Why Are CDT Codes Important?
CDT codes play a vital role in dental practice management by:
- Allowing consistent communication between dental providers and insurance companies.
- Helping to avoid claim denials and delays through accurate billing.
- Ensuring that treatments are appropriately documented and reimbursed.
- Providing a standardized reference system that is updated annually to reflect advances in dental procedures, ADA edits, and insurance carrier changes.
What professionals use D4342 Dental Code and Other CDT Codes?
The D4342 Dental Code, along with all other CDT (Current Dental Terminology) codes, is a critical component of modern dental practice and dental billing systems. These standardized procedure codes are published annually by the American Dental Association (ADA) and serve as the official reference for documenting and billing dental procedures in the United States. But who exactly uses these codes on a daily basis, and why are they so important?
Dentists and Dental Hygienists
Licensed dentists and dental hygienists use CDT codes—including D4342, which represents Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing for one to three teeth per quadrant—to accurately record the services they provide to patients. These codes help ensure consistency and clarity in patient records, allowing dental professionals to document treatments in a way that aligns with industry-wide standards. For example, when treating a patient with localized periodontal disease, the dentist may use D4342 to indicate that a deep cleaning was performed on a specific area of the mouth.
Dental Billing Specialists and Office Managers
Dental billing professionals and front office managers rely heavily on CDT codes to prepare and submit accurate insurance claims. Choosing the correct code—such as D4342 versus D4341 (which applies when four or more teeth in a quadrant are treated)—is essential to prevent claim rejections or reimbursement delays. Billing specialists are trained to identify the correct procedure code, attach the required documentation, and ensure compliance with both ADA coding guidelines and insurance carrier requirements.
Insurance Companies and Dental Benefit Providers
Dental insurance companies use CDT codes to determine coverage eligibility, process claims, and define benefit limitations. For example, D4342 may be covered under a patient’s periodontal treatment benefit, but only if documentation shows the presence of bone loss or periodontal pocketing in a limited number of teeth. Insurance carriers also rely on these codes to establish fee schedules, manage claim audits, and ensure standardization across providers and patients.
Healthcare Auditors, Consultants, and Coders
Professional healthcare consultants, dental auditors, and certified dental coders utilize CDT codes to review claims for accuracy, ensure coding compliance, and detect errors or patterns that may indicate overbilling or undercoding. In large dental practices or dental service organizations (DSOs), these professionals play a key role in training staff, updating coding practices, and overseeing regulatory compliance.
Educational Institutions and Training Programs
CDT codes, including D4342, are also taught in dental schools, hygiene programs, and dental coding certification courses. Aspiring dental professionals are trained on how to use these codes properly, understand their definitions, and apply them accurately in clinical and administrative settings.
The D4342 dental code, along with all other CDT dental procedure codes, is used by a wide range of professionals across the dental industry—from clinical providers and billing teams to insurance evaluators and educational institutions. These codes are accepted by virtually all dental practices and insurance carriers throughout the United States and are essential for efficient communication, accurate billing, and high-quality patient care.
If you are looking for accurate, up-to-date information on the D4342 dental code or any other CDT (Current Dental Terminology) codes, you’ve come to the right place. At CDT-Codes.com, we are committed to assisting dental professionals, billing coordinators, office staff, and even patients with all dental procedure code-related matters. Whether you are trying to confirm the correct CDT code for a specific treatment or have questions about billing, documentation, or insurance usage—we are here to help.
Our dedicated and highly knowledgeable team of dental coding experts is available to guide you through any issues related to CDT codes, including D4342, which specifically refers to Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing for one to three teeth per quadrant. With years of experience in the dental billing and coding industry, our team understands the complexities of code selection, usage, and insurance requirements, and we are always happy to share that expertise with our visitors.
To get personalized help or submit an inquiry, simply use our contact form or leave a message through the comments section below. Whether you’re seeking clarification, need assistance with an unusual billing scenario, or want to verify a newly released update to the D4342 dental code, our team is ready to respond.
At CDT-Codes.com, we pride ourselves on being a leading online resource that delivers the most accurate and frequently updated information about CDT codes. From common codes used in general dentistry to more specialized periodontal or surgical codes like D4342, we provide detailed definitions, correct billing usage, procedure guidance, and documentation tips—all designed to support efficiency and compliance in dental practice management.
Our platform is trusted by dental offices, dental hygienists, coding professionals, and insurance consultants across the country. We continuously monitor for changes from the American Dental Association (ADA) and other relevant dental coding authorities to ensure that you have access to the latest information. If one of our users discovers new or revised details about D4342 or any other CDT dental code, we welcome and appreciate those contributions. Once submitted through our contact form or comment section, our editorial team carefully reviews and verifies the information before publishing updates on the website.
Please be advised that CDT-Codes.com is an independent educational and informational resource. We are not affiliated with the ADA (American Dental Association), any government dental board, or any federal or state health agency. Our mission is to provide clear, reliable, and easy-to-access information about CDT dental procedure codes to help professionals and patients alike navigate the dental coding system with confidence.
Additional CDT Codes (Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature)
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D4355 Dental Code
D4381 Dental Code
D4910 Dental Code
D4920 Dental Code
D4921 Dental Code
D4999 Dental Code
D5110 Dental Code
D5120 Dental Code
D5130 Dental Code