Guide to Coding “Quadrant” Procedures That Cross the Mid-Line

Sep 28, 2026

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Guide explains how dentists document and report oral cavity area using “quadrant” concepts when a procedure treats a continuous series of anterior teeth crossing the dental arch midline. It defines quadrant coverage in dental benefit reporting, outlines relevant CDT code groupings by number of teeth per quadrant, and provides detailed coding scenarios mapping tooth numbers to quadrant AOC codes. Includes practical Q&A on sextant codes, reporting quadrant codes without tooth ranges, and where to find ADA guidance for documenting AOC and tooth anatomy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Coding Scenarios

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Questions and Answers

Why are there no “sextant” CDT codes?

How are “quadrant” codes reported when both quadrants are involved?

What additional guidance is available for reporting AOC and tooth information?

Guide to Coding “Quadrant” Procedures That Cross the Midline This guide is to educate dentists and others in the dental community on documenting area of the oral cavity when a “quadrant” procedure involves treating a continuous series of anterior teeth that cross the mid-line of a dental arch (maxillary or mandibular) . Introduction The definition of “quadrant” in the online ADA Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms is – quadrant: One of the four equal sections into which the dental arches can be divided; begins at the midline of the arch and extends distally to the last tooth. For dental benefit reporting purposes a quadrant is further defined as four or more contiguous teeth and/or teeth spaces distal to the midline. Sixteen CDT codes have nomenclatures that indicate the procedure is to be reported by the number of teeth within a quadrant that are involved. These codes specify that procedure involves either one to three teeth , or four or more teeth. Four examples are: D4341 periodontal scaling and root planing – four or more teeth per quadrant D4342 periodontal scaling and root planing – one to three teeth per quadrant D7310 alveoloplasty in conjunction with extractions – four or more teeth or tooth spaces, per quadrant D7311 alveoloplasty in conjunction with extractions – one to three teeth or tooth spaces, per quadrant The two digit codes for reporting area of the oral cavity (e.g. , quadrant) on both the HIPAA standard electronic dental claim transaction (837D) and ADA Dental Claim Form (paper) are: Coding Scenarios When a procedure is delivered to a series of teeth that cross the midline, the service is reported with the appropriate CDT codes for the number of teeth involved in the quadrant, along with the appropriate quadrant codes. 1) Patient receives scaling and root planing for tooth numbers 06 through 12 (seven teeth involved) . For tooth numbers 06 through 08 (three teeth) : a) the SRP procedure is reported with D4342 periodontal scaling and root planing – one to three teeth per quadrant b) the area of the oral cavity code reported is 10 (upper right quadrant) For tooth numbers 09 through 12 (four teeth) : c) the SRP procedure is reported with D4341 periodontal scaling and root planing – four or more teeth per quadrant d) the area of the oral cavity code reported is 20 (upper left quadrant) 2) Patient receives scaling and root planing for tooth numbers 23 through 26 (four teeth involved) . For tooth numbers 23 and 24 (two teeth) : a) the SRP procedure is reported with D4342 periodontal scaling and root planing – one to three teeth per quadrant b) the area of the oral cavity code reported is 30 (lower right quadrant) For tooth numbers 25 and 26 (two teeth) : c) the SRP procedure is reported with D4342 periodontal scaling and root planing – one to three teeth teeth per quadrant d) the area of the oral cavity code reported is 40 (lower left quadrant) 3) Patient receives scaling and root planing for tooth numbers 03 through 9 (seven teeth involved) . For tooth numbers 03 through 08 (six teeth): a) the SRP procedure is reported with D4341 periodontal scaling and root planing – four or more teeth per quadrant b) the area of the oral cavity code reported is 10 (upper right quadrant) For tooth number 09 (one tooth): c) the SRP procedure is reported with D4342 periodontal scaling and root planing – one to three teeth per quadrant d) the area of the oral cavity code reported is 20 (upper left quadrant) Questions and Answers A number of Questions and Answers follow that are intended to provide readers with insight and understanding of the appropriate documentation in patient records and on claims. 1. Why are there no “sextant” CDT codes? Since 1969, when the CDT Code was first published, dental procedures have been considered services delivered and reported by the affected anatomy – e.g. , tooth number and surface ; area of the oral cavity (quadrant; arch, e

FAQs

What defines a “quadrant” for dental benefit reporting when teeth cross the midline?

A quadrant is one of four equal sections of the dental arches that begins at the midline and extends distally. For reporting purposes, it is further defined as four or more contiguous teeth and/or tooth spaces distal to the midline.

How should CDT and AOC codes be reported when scaling and root planing spans teeth across the midline?

Report the SRP CDT code based on the number of teeth involved per quadrant (one to three versus four or more), and include the appropriate area of the oral cavity (quadrant) AOC code for each portion of the treatment.

Is there a “sextant” CDT code, and what would be required to add one?

No “sextant” CDT codes are documented in the current code set. The CDT maintenance process could accommodate sextant requests, but the AOC code set would also need amendment to include sextant ranges of teeth.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by asba