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The CPT® Code 70310 refers to a radiologic examination of the teeth, specifically a partial examination that encompasses less than a full mouth. This procedure involves the use of various types of dental x-rays to assess the condition of the teeth and surrounding structures. A common type of x-ray utilized in this examination is the bitewing x-ray, which provides a single view of the upper and lower back teeth. This view is crucial for evaluating how these teeth come together, identifying any decay that may exist between them, and detecting any bone loss associated with gum disease or infection. Additionally, periapical x-rays are often employed to visualize the entire tooth, from the crown down to the root, along with the supporting bone structures. These x-rays are particularly useful for examining conditions that occur below the gum line, such as crowded or impacted teeth, broken tooth roots, abscesses, or other pathological changes. Occlusal x-rays are also part of this examination, as they capture the roof and floor of the mouth, revealing teeth that have not yet erupted through the gums, extra teeth, cleft palates, jaw fractures, foreign objects, and cysts or abscesses. It is important to note that for a single view of the teeth, the appropriate code is 70300, while 70310 is designated for a partial examination covering less than the full mouth, and 70320 is used for a complete series of x-rays of the mouth.
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The procedure associated with CPT® Code 70310 is indicated for various dental assessments and conditions. The following are the explicitly provided indications for performing a partial radiologic examination of the teeth:
The procedure for CPT® Code 70310 involves several key steps that ensure a thorough examination of the teeth. The following outlines the procedural steps:
After the completion of the radiologic examination associated with CPT® Code 70310, the patient may be provided with specific post-procedure care instructions. Typically, there are no significant recovery requirements following this type of examination, as it is non-invasive. However, patients may be advised to avoid eating or drinking for a short period if a contrast medium was used during the procedure. The dental professional will discuss the results of the x-rays with the patient, explaining any findings and recommending further treatment if necessary. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to address any identified issues, such as cavities or periodontal disease, based on the examination results.
| Short Descr | X-RAY EXAM OF TEETH | Medium Descr | RADIOLOGIC EXAM TEETH PRTL EXAM < FULL MOUTH | Long Descr | Radiologic examination, teeth; partial examination, less than full mouth | Status Code | Active Code | Global Days | XXX - Global Concept Does Not Apply | PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) | 1 - Diagnostic Tests for Radiology Services | Multiple Procedures (51) | 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply. | Bilateral Surgery (50) | 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply. | Physician Supervisions | 09 - Concept does not apply. | Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) | 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure... | Co-Surgeons (62) | 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Team Surgery (66) | 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure. | Diagnostic Imaging Family | 99 - Concept Does Not Apply | APC Status Indicator | STV-Packaged Codes | ASC Payment Indicator | Packaged service/item; no separate payment made. | Type of Service (TOS) | 4 - Diagnostic Radiology | Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) | I1B - Standard imaging - musculoskeletal | MUE | 1 | CCS Clinical Classification | 226 - Other diagnostic radiology and related techniques |
| FY | X-ray taken using computed radiography technology/cassette-based imaging | 26 | Professional component: certain procedures are a combination of a physician or other qualified health care professional component and a technical component. when the physician or other qualified health care professional component is reported separately, the service may be identified by adding modifier 26 to the usual procedure number. | 59 | Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25. | 51 | Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d). | 79 | Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.) | GC | This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician | GV | Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider | GW | Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition | Q6 | Service furnished under a fee-for-time compensation arrangement by a substitute physician or by a substitute physical therapist furnishing outpatient physical therapy services in a health professional shortage area, a medically underserved area, or a rural area | TC | Technical component; under certain circumstances, a charge may be made for the technical component alone; under those circumstances the technical component charge is identified by adding modifier 'tc' to the usual procedure number; technical component charges are institutional charges and not billed separately by physicians; however, portable x-ray suppliers only bill for technical component and should utilize modifier tc; the charge data from portable x-ray suppliers will then be used to build customary and prevailing profiles |
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| Pre-1990 | Added | Code added. |
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