Three Common Dental Conditions and Their ICD-10 Codes

Hi, this is Amber Darst, Solutions Manager at Managed Outsource Solutions. Today I will be discussing three common dental problems.  I will also provide a list of the ICD-10 codes that are associated with these conditions as an attached article to this podcast.

So, let’s take a look at three very common dental conditions and what they are all about:

00:22 Gingivitis

First we have gingivitis.

This is a common form of gum disease. Gingivitis can cause swelling, redness, and irritation to the gingival. This is the part of your gum around the base of your teeth. This gum condition is estimated to affect 3 out of 4 Americans during their lifetime. Poor oral hygiene is one of the most common causes of gingivitis. Having poor oral habits can cause plaque, which is a naturally occurring sticky film containing bacteria to build up on the surface of the teeth, causing inflammation of the surrounding gum tissue. As plaque advances, it can develop into an infection which then extends below the gum line. Generally, this gum disease occurs without any specific symptoms. In severe cases, symptoms like bright red or purple gums, tender gums, receding and soft gums, bad breath and bleeding from the gums when brushing or flossing, may occur. If left untreated, this condition can progress to gum disease that then spreads to the underlying tissue and bone, resulting in tooth loss. Regular and timely treatment can help reverse the symptoms of this gum condition and prevent it from progressing to a more serious gum disease and tooth loss. Treatment options for this condition include deep cleaning your teeth, antibiotic medications, and surgery.

01:47 Periodontitis

Next we have periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a gum infection that damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth. Also known as gum disease or periodontal disease, this dental condition occurs due to poor brushing and flossing habits. This may result in inflammation of the gums and cause redness, swelling and a tendency to bleed during brushing. As per reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about half of Americans aged 30 years or older have periodontitis. This gum disease may progress slowly without producing any specific symptoms, even in the later stages of the disease. Some top symptoms include swollen gums, pus between the teeth and gums, bleeding gums, painful chewing and a metallic taste in the mouth. If left unchecked or untreated, the inflammation can spread down below the gums and along the roots of the teeth, causing possible destruction of the periodontal ligament and the supporting alveolar bones. Untreated periodontitis will eventually result in loosening and potential loss of teeth. Maintaining good oral hygiene can help keep the teeth and gums stay healthy and prevent infection.

03:06 Dental Caries

 Last we have dental caries. This is also called tooth decay or cavities. Dental caries is the permanent destruction of tooth enamel, which is the hard, outer layer of the teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. The dental problem is caused by a specific, sticky film of bacteria called plaque that forms on the teeth. If left untreated, the condition can get worse and affect the deeper layers of the teeth causing toothache, infection and even tooth loss. Inadequate brushing, tooth fracture or abscess, prevalence of mouth plaque, cavity formation, and frequent unhealthy snacking habits are the top causes of this condition. This condition can affect the teeth at any age; however, it is most common among children and young adults. Generally, the early stages of dental caries may not show any specific signs or symptoms. However, as the tooth decay worsens, certain symptoms such as toothache, tooth sensitivity, visible holes or pits in your teeth, pain while biting, and brown, black or white staining on any surface of the tooth may occur. Treatment options include fluoride treatments, fillings, root canals and crowns and tooth extractions.

So practicing good, consistent oral hygiene is the best way to prevent dental disorders. Make it a habit to brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss your teeth each day. Eat a healthy, balanced diet and get regular professional dental cleanings as recommended by your dentist. Other prevention strategies include stopping smoking or chewing tobacco, not consuming alcohol, eating antioxidant-rich foods, and avoiding abrasive dental hygiene products such as tooth whiteners.

05:02 Billing and coding for these dental problems

Billing and coding for these dental issues can be complex. For accurate and timely billing and claims submission, dental practices can outsource their coding tasks to a reliable billing and coding company that provides the services of AAPC-certified coding specialists.

And that’s for all now. Please refer to the attached article for that full list of icd-10 codes associated with this podcast.

Thanks for listening in!

( ICD-10 Codes

Gingivitis

• K05 Gingivitis and periodontal diseases
• K05.0 Acute gingivitis
• K05.00 Acute gingivitis, plaque induced
• K05.01 Acute gingivitis, non-plaque induced
• K05.1 Chronic gingivitis
• K05.10 Chronic gingivitis, plaque induced
• K05.11 Chronic gingivitis, non-plaque induced

Periodontitis

• K05 Gingivitis and periodontal diseases
• K05.2 Aggressive periodontitis
• K05.20 Aggressive periodontitis, unspecified
• K05.21 Aggressive periodontitis, localized
• K05.211 Aggressive periodontitis, localized, slight
• K05.212 Aggressive periodontitis, localized, moderate
• K05.213 Aggressive periodontitis, localized, severe
• K05.219 Aggressive periodontitis, localized, unspecified severity
• K05.22 Aggressive periodontitis, generalized
• K05.221 Aggressive periodontitis, generalized, slight
• K05.222 Aggressive periodontitis, generalized, moderate
• K05.223 Aggressive periodontitis, generalized, severe
• K05.229 Aggressive periodontitis, generalized, unspecified severity
• K05.3 Chronic periodontitis
• K05.30 Chronic periodontitis, unspecified
• K05.31 Chronic periodontitis, localized
• K05.311 Chronic periodontitis, localized, slight
• K05.312 Chronic periodontitis, localized, moderate
• K05.313 Chronic periodontitis, localized, severe
• K05.319 Chronic periodontitis, localized, unspecified severity
• K05.32 Chronic periodontitis, generalized
• K05.321 Chronic periodontitis, generalized, slight
• K05.322 Chronic periodontitis, generalized, moderate
• K05.323 Chronic periodontitis, generalized, severe
• K05.329 Chronic periodontitis, generalized, unspecified severity
• K05.4 Periodontosis
• K05.5 Other periodontal diseases
• K05.6 Periodontal disease, unspecified

Dental Caries

• K02 Dental caries
• K02.3 Arrested dental caries
• K02.5 Dental caries on pit and fissure surface
• K02.51 Dental caries on pit and fissure surface, limited to enamel
• K02.52 Dental caries on pit and fissure surface, penetrating into dentin
• K02.53 Dental caries on pit and fissure surface, penetrating into pulp
• K02.6 Dental caries on smooth surface
• K02.61 Dental caries on smooth surface, limited to enamel
• K02.62 Dental caries on smooth surface, penetrating into dentin
• K02.63 Dental caries on smooth surface, penetrating into pulp
• K02.7 Dental root caries

K02.9 Dental caries, unspecified)