Summary & Overview
CDT D0230: Intraoral Periapical Each Additional Radiographic Image
CDT code D0230 represents an additional intraoral periapical radiographic image used in dental care when more than one periapical film is required for diagnosis or treatment planning. Nationally, periapical imaging is a routine diagnostic tool in general dentistry and specialty services such as endodontics; accurate coding of additional images affects claim adjudication, patient cost sharing, and encounter documentation. Key national payers covered in this review include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, and UnitedHealthcare. Readers will find a concise explanation of the code’s clinical context, how it pairs with the first periapical image code, and common scenarios that prompt additional periapical exposures. The publication outlines payer coverage considerations, common modifiers reported with additional radiographic services, and associated diagnostic ICD-10 codes used to support medical necessity. Related dental imaging codes and service alternatives are identified for coding clarity. If specific service-line metadata or payer-specific fee schedules are needed, note that detailed reimbursement data is not present in the input. This summary is intended to orient clinicians, billing staff, and policy analysts to the clinical purpose and billing context of CDT code D0230 at a national level.
Billing Code Overview
CDT code D0230 denotes Intraoral - periapical each additional radiographic image. This service is used in dentistry to capture an additional periapical radiographic image when more than one image is required beyond the first periapical film. The service type is Dentistry, and the typical site of service is a Dental Office (POS 11).
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 35-year-old patient presents to a dental office (POS 11) with localized tooth pain and suspected periapical pathology following a recent history of deep caries. The dentist performs an initial periapical radiograph (CDT code D0220) of the symptomatic tooth and obtains one or more additional periapical images to fully visualize the root apices and surrounding bone. Images are obtained intraorally, each additional radiographic image billed as CDT code D0230. The clinical workflow includes patient evaluation, selection of appropriate intraoral receptors, exposure of the first periapical image, acquisition of additional periapical images as needed for diagnosis or treatment planning (e.g., endodontic evaluation), and documentation of the number and reason for additional images in the chart.
Coding Specifications
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Common Modifiers
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52(Reduced Services): Used when a normally described service is partially reduced or eliminated at the physicians discretion. Apply when an additional periapical image is performed with limited technique or scope compared to the full service. -
76(Repeat Procedure by Same Physician): Used when the same service is repeated subsequent to the original procedure by the same practitioner. Apply when an additional periapical image is retaken during the same encounter because the first additional image was inadequate. -
Associated Provider Taxonomies
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122300000X: — represents dentists providing general dental care.