USC&LS · ONTARIO DENTAL CODES
Dental Procedure Codes in Ontario: What Each Code Means
Every line on a dental estimate or insurance claim starts with a five-digit code. This guide explains the codes Ontario patients see most, in plain language, so you can read your treatment plan before you agree to it.
How to read a five-digit code
Take 23322 as an example. Each part of the number tells you something about the treatment.
- First digit is the category. 0 exams and X-rays, 1 prevention, 2 fillings and crowns, 3 root canals, 4 gums, 5 dentures, 6 bridges, 7 surgery, 8 orthodontics, 9 sedation and other services.
- The last digit often counts something. For fillings it is the number of surfaces. For scaling and root planing it is the number of 15-minute units. A final 9 usually means each additional tooth in the same quadrant.
Examination, X-ray and test codes
Codes starting with 0 cover what happens before treatment. That means exams and X-rays, plus tests that help the dentist make a diagnosis.
01011First dental visit orientation
A short first visit for a very young child. The dentist looks in the mouth and talks with the parent about home care. CDCP covers it up to age three.
#01101Complete exam, baby teeth
A full first exam for a child who has only primary (baby) teeth. Every tooth is charted and the dentist records a diagnosis.
#01102Complete exam, mixed teeth
The same full exam for a child who has a mix of baby and adult teeth.
#01103Complete exam, adult teeth
The full exam most new adult patients receive. The dentist charts each tooth, checks the gums and soft tissue, and records a diagnosis. Plans usually allow it only once every few years.
#01201New patient limited exam
A shorter first exam for a new patient, used when a full exam is not needed at that visit.
#01202Recall exam (routine checkup)
The checkup exam done at a regular cleaning visit. This is the exam code most people see on every six-month or yearly visit, and most plans cap how often it is paid.
#01204Specific exam
An exam focused on one area or one problem, such as a single sore tooth or a follow-up on something found earlier.
#01205Emergency exam
An exam for pain or an injury that needs attention the same day. X-rays and treatment are billed separately.
#02101 / 02102Complete series of X-rays
A full set of small X-rays that together show every tooth and the bone around it. The two codes separate the number of images in the set. Most plans allow a full series once every few years.
#02111One periapical X-ray
A single small X-ray that shows a whole tooth from the crown down to the tip of the root. Often taken for a toothache.
#02112Two periapical X-rays
Two periapical X-rays taken at the same visit.
#02113Three periapical X-rays
Three periapical X-rays taken at the same visit.
#02114Four periapical X-rays
Four periapical X-rays taken at the same visit.
#02141One bitewing X-ray
A small X-ray that shows the upper and lower back teeth together. Bitewings are the main way dentists find decay between teeth.
#02142Two bitewing X-rays
The usual pair taken at a checkup, one image for each side of the mouth.
#02143Three bitewing X-rays
Three bitewing images taken at the same visit.
#02144Four bitewing X-rays
Four bitewing images, used when two images do not cover all of the back teeth.
#02601Panoramic X-ray
One wide image of both jaws, taken by a machine that moves around the head. It is the usual X-ray for checking wisdom teeth.
#04311 / 04312Soft tissue biopsy
A small sample of soft tissue from the mouth sent to a lab for testing. 04311 is a sample taken with a needle and 04312 is a sample taken through a small cut. A lab fee may be added.
#04403Fluorescence screening
A soft tissue check using a special light that helps the dentist spot areas worth a closer look. An extra materials charge may apply.
#04501Pulp vitality test
A test that shows whether the nerve inside a tooth is still alive, usually with cold or a mild electrical signal. Billed by time.
#04911Study models
Models of the teeth (casts) used to plan treatment, often before orthodontics or larger restorative work.
#Cleaning and prevention codes
Codes starting with 1 cover cleanings, fluoride, sealants and appliances. Most cleaning codes are billed by units of time.
11101Polishing, one unit
Polishing the teeth to remove surface stain and soft plaque. One unit of time equals 15 minutes.
#11107Polishing, half unit
The same polish billed as half a unit, about 7.5 minutes. Most routine cleaning visits bill the polish under this code or 11101.
#11111Scaling, one unit
Removing hard tartar from the teeth with hand or ultrasonic instruments. One unit is 15 minutes of scaling.
#11112Scaling, two units
Thirty minutes of scaling.
#11113Scaling, three units
Forty-five minutes of scaling. A common amount for an adult with moderate tartar.
#11114Scaling, four units
One hour of scaling. Many plans cap the number of scaling units per year, so a heavy cleaning can go past the limit.
#11117Scaling, half unit
About 7.5 minutes of scaling, often used for children or to top up another unit.
#12111Fluoride rinse
A professional fluoride rinse used at the office.
#12112Fluoride gel or foam
Fluoride held against the teeth in soft trays for a few minutes.
#12113Fluoride varnish
A sticky fluoride coating painted onto the teeth. Common for children and for adults with a high risk of decay.
#13401Sealant, first tooth
A thin plastic coating on the chewing surface of a back tooth that keeps decay out of the grooves. Mostly used for children and teens.
#13409Sealant, each additional tooth
Each extra sealant in the same quadrant at the same visit.
#13601Decay-arresting agent
A liquid painted onto a cavity or weak spot to stop or slow decay without drilling. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is billed under this code.
#14611Upper appliance (often a night guard)
A custom appliance for the upper teeth. The fee covers the impression and the fitting visits, and a lab fee is added. Clinics often bill night guards under this code, so check the code on your estimate.
#16511Bite adjustment, one unit
Reshaping small areas of the biting surfaces so the teeth meet evenly. Billed per 15-minute unit.
#Filling and crown codes
Codes starting with 2 cover fillings and crowns, plus repairs to them. For fillings, the last digit is usually the number of tooth surfaces treated.
20111Temporary filling, first tooth
Removing decay or a broken filling and placing a soothing temporary filling until final treatment.
#20119Temporary filling, each additional tooth
The same procedure on another tooth in the same quadrant.
#20131Smoothing a chipped tooth
Smoothing the sharp edges of a tooth broken in an accident.
#20141Direct pulp cap
A protective liner placed over a nerve exposed during filling work. Billed together with the filling.
#21211–21215Silver filling, front teeth and premolars
Non-bonded amalgam (silver) fillings on adult front teeth and premolars. The last digit is the number of surfaces, from one surface (21211) to five (21215).
#21221–21225Silver filling, molars
Non-bonded amalgam fillings on adult molars. 21221 is one surface and 21225 is five.
#21401 / 21402Retentive pins
Small pins placed in the tooth to help hold a large filling. 21401 is one pin and 21402 is two.
#23111–23115White filling, adult front teeth
Bonded tooth-coloured fillings on adult front teeth. The last digit is the number of surfaces, from one (23111) to five (23115).
#23311White filling, premolar, one surface
A bonded tooth-coloured filling on one surface of an adult premolar.
#23312White filling, premolar, two surfaces
A tooth-coloured filling on two surfaces of a premolar, usually between two teeth and onto the chewing surface.
#23313White filling, premolar, three surfaces
A tooth-coloured filling covering three surfaces of a premolar.
#23314White filling, premolar, four surfaces
A tooth-coloured filling covering four surfaces of a premolar.
#23315White filling, premolar, five surfaces
The largest premolar filling code, for five surfaces (the maximum per tooth).
#23321White filling, molar, one surface
A bonded tooth-coloured filling on one surface of an adult molar, often the chewing surface.
#23322White filling, molar, two surfaces
One of the most common codes on a treatment estimate. It is usually a filling between two molars that also covers part of the chewing surface.
#23323White filling, molar, three surfaces
A tooth-coloured filling covering three surfaces of a molar.
#23324White filling, molar, four surfaces
A tooth-coloured filling covering four surfaces of a molar.
#23325White filling, molar, five surfaces
The largest molar filling code, for five surfaces. At this size the dentist may also talk about a crown.
#23411–23415White filling, baby front teeth
Bonded tooth-coloured fillings on primary front teeth, one to five surfaces.
#23511–23515White filling, baby back teeth
Bonded tooth-coloured fillings on primary back teeth, one to five surfaces.
#23602Bonded core under a crown
A tooth-coloured build-up that rebuilds a broken tooth so a crown has something to hold on to. Billed together with a crown or bridge.
#25731Prefabricated post
A ready-made post placed in a tooth after a root canal to help hold the core. An extra materials charge may apply.
#27201Crown, porcelain or ceramic
A crown made fully of porcelain or ceramic, with no metal underneath. A lab fee is added.
#27211Crown, porcelain fused to metal
A porcelain crown built over a metal base. Under CDCP it is paid at the same rate as 27201. A lab fee is added.
#27301Crown, full metal
A crown cast entirely in metal, such as a gold alloy. Mostly used on back molars. A lab fee is added.
#29101Recementing a crown, one unit
Re-gluing a crown or post that came loose. Billed per 15-minute unit.
#Root canal and nerve treatment codes
Codes starting with 3 cover treatment of the nerve inside a tooth. Root canal codes change with the number of canals.
32232Pulpotomy, baby tooth
Removing the infected top part of the nerve in a baby tooth, done together with the filling.
#32311 / 32312Pulpectomy, front teeth or premolars
Removing the whole nerve, often as an emergency step before a full root canal. 32311 covers one canal and 32312 covers two.
#33111Root canal, one canal
A complete root canal on a tooth with one canal, usually a front tooth. The final filling or crown is billed separately.
#33121Root canal, two canals
A complete root canal on a tooth with two canals, such as some premolars.
#33131Root canal, three canals
A complete root canal on a tooth with three canals, usually a molar.
#33141Root canal, four or more canals
A complete root canal on a molar with four or more canals.
#39201 / 39202Open and drain
Opening a tooth to release pressure from an infection, often at an emergency visit. 39201 is for front teeth and premolars and 39202 is for molars.
#39501 / 39502Opening through a crown
Making an opening through an existing crown to reach the canals. 39501 is for front teeth and premolars and 39502 is for molars.
#Gum treatment codes
Codes starting with 4 cover the gums and the bone around the teeth. Deep cleaning below the gumline is billed in units of time.
42831Gum abscess or pericoronitis
Treating an infected gum pocket or swollen gum over a wisdom tooth. It can include draining and cleaning the area.
#43421Root planing, one unit
Deep cleaning below the gumline that smooths the root surfaces. One unit is 15 minutes. Some plans, including CDCP, count root planing and scaling units together.
#43422Root planing, two units
Thirty minutes of root planing.
#43423Root planing, three units
Forty-five minutes of root planing.
#43424Root planing, four units
One hour of root planing.
#43427Root planing, half unit
About 7.5 minutes of root planing.
#49101 / 49102Gum re-evaluation
A follow-up check of the gums after deep cleaning to see how the pockets have healed.
#Denture codes
Codes starting with 5 cover removable dentures, plus their repairs and relines. For most of them, the last digit separates the upper and lower jaw.
51101Complete denture, upper
A full denture for an upper jaw with no natural teeth. A lab fee is added.
#51102Complete denture, lower
A full denture for a lower jaw with no natural teeth. A lab fee is added.
#51301–51303Immediate complete denture
A full denture placed on the same day the remaining teeth are removed. The last digit separates the arch being treated.
#52101 / 52102Temporary acrylic partial denture
A plastic partial denture, with or without clasps, often worn while the gums heal. 52101 is upper and 52102 is lower.
#53101 / 53102Metal partial, free end
A metal-frame partial denture for a jaw missing teeth at the back of the row. 53101 is upper and 53102 is lower.
#53201 / 53202Metal partial, tooth borne
A metal-frame partial denture held by natural teeth on both sides of the gap. 53201 is upper and 53202 is lower.
#54201Denture adjustment
Adjusting a denture that rubs or rocks. This code is used after the first three months, or when another dentist made the denture.
#55101 / 55102Denture repair, no impression
Fixing a cracked or broken complete denture without taking a new mould.
#55201–55203Denture repair, with impression
A complete denture repair that needs a new mould of the mouth.
#56211–56213Chairside reline, complete denture
Adding new material inside a denture at the office so it fits the gums again.
#56231–56233Lab reline, complete denture
The same goal as a chairside reline, but the denture goes to a lab for a processed lining. A lab fee is added.
#Extraction and oral surgery codes
Codes starting with 7 cover tooth removal and other surgery. The code moves up as the extraction gets harder.
71101Simple extraction, first tooth
Removing a fully erupted tooth without cutting gum or bone.
#71109Simple extraction, each additional tooth
Another simple extraction in the same quadrant at the same visit.
#71201Surgical extraction
Removing an erupted tooth that needs a gum flap or has to be cut into pieces.
#71209Surgical extraction, each additional tooth
Another surgical extraction in the same quadrant at the same visit.
#71211 / 71219Difficult surgical extraction
For an erupted tooth that needs a flap and bone removal, and may also need sectioning. 71219 is each additional tooth in the same quadrant.
#72111Impacted tooth, covered by gum
Removing a tooth, often a wisdom tooth, that is covered only by gum tissue.
#72211Impacted tooth, bone or sectioning
Removing an impacted tooth that needs either bone removal or cutting the tooth into pieces.
#72221Impacted tooth, bone and sectioning
Removing an impacted tooth that needs both bone removal and cutting the tooth into pieces.
#72231Impacted tooth, complex
For impacted teeth with unusual difficulty beyond what 72221 covers.
#72311Leftover root removal
Removing a root left in the jaw after a tooth broke off.
#75111Incision and drainage
A small cut inside the mouth to drain an abscess.
#Sedation and lab fee codes
Codes starting with 9 sit alongside other treatment. They cover sedation and anesthesia, plus the laboratory charges added to crowns and dentures.
92411–92418Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
Billed by time. 92411 is one unit (15 minutes) and the codes go up to 92418 for eight units.
#92210–92218General anesthesia
General anesthesia given at a dental visit, billed by units of time. Plans often need approval before it is covered.
#99111 / 99222 / 99333Laboratory fee lines
The lab charge for a crown or a denture. It appears as its own line next to the dentist's procedure code, so one crown often shows two lines on an estimate.
#CDCP orthodontic payment codes
These letter codes are used only by the Canadian Dental Care Plan for orthodontic treatment. They are not part of the standard Canadian code list.
P0500Orthodontic observation
A monitoring visit when orthodontic treatment is not started yet.
#P1000Orthodontic exam
The first orthodontic examination under CDCP.
#P1100Diagnostic records
The records an orthodontist collects to plan treatment, such as X-rays and models.
#P1200Initial payment
The first payment for approved comprehensive orthodontic treatment.
#P1300Incremental payment
A payment made during comprehensive orthodontic treatment.
#P1400Final payment
The last payment for comprehensive orthodontic treatment.
#No code matches that search. Try the first few digits only, or a simpler word such as filling or denture. Codes not listed here can be checked with your dental office.
The basics behind every code
Canadian dental codes follow one national system, so the same number means the same treatment in Toronto or Vancouver. What changes from office to office is the fee, and what changes from plan to plan is how much gets paid back.
One unit of time is 15 minutes
Scaling and root planing are billed by time. A half unit is about 7.5 minutes. Three units of scaling (11113) means about 45 minutes of tartar removal.
Surfaces decide filling codes
A tooth has five surfaces a filling can touch. A filling that covers the chewing surface and one side counts as two surfaces, so it moves from a code ending in 1 to a code ending in 2.
Lab fees appear on their own line
Crowns and dentures are made in a lab. The lab charge is listed separately from the dentist's procedure code, often with the letter L next to the fee.
A code is not a price
The code names the treatment only. Dentists set their own fees, and the ODA publishes a suggested fee guide each year. Our ODA fee guide page covers what common treatments cost in Ontario.
American D-codes are different
Codes such as D0120 or D2740 come from the American CDT system. Canadian claims use five-digit USC&LS codes, so a US code chart will not match your Ontario estimate.
How to check a treatment estimate
Before larger treatment, most offices hand you an estimate with a list of codes. A few minutes with this page can save a surprise bill.
- Match each code to a line on this pageType the code into the search box above. If the description does not match what the dentist told you, ask the front desk before the appointment.
- Check the units and surfacesScaling and root planing codes count time, and filling codes count surfaces. A change in the last digit changes the fee.
- Look for lab fee linesCrowns and dentures carry a separate lab charge. Ask whether the estimate includes it, since some plans pay the lab portion at a different rate.
- Ask for a predeterminationThe office can send the codes to your insurer before treatment. The insurer replies with what it will pay, so you know your share in advance.
- Compare the fee with the guideMany Ontario insurers base payments on the ODA suggested fees. If an office charges more than the guide, you pay the difference.
Dental codes and the Canadian Dental Care Plan
CDCP uses the same five-digit codes as private insurance, but it pays from its own benefit grid instead of the ODA guide. Some procedures, including crowns, need approval before treatment. Orthodontic care under CDCP also uses separate payment codes that start with the letter P, listed in the CDCP section above.
Using CDCP in North York? We compared nine local clinics that accept the plan, with their hours and languages.
See CDCP dentistsFrequently asked questions
What is a dental procedure code?
A dental procedure code is a five-digit number that names one treatment, such as 01202 for a recall exam. Dental offices in Canada put these codes on estimates and insurance claims so the insurer knows exactly what was done.
Who creates dental codes in Ontario?
The codes come from the Uniform System of Coding and List of Services (USC&LS), maintained by the Canadian Dental Association. The Ontario Dental Association uses the same codes in its suggested fee guide, and insurers use them to process claims.
What does dental code 01202 mean?
01202 is a recall exam, the routine checkup exam done at a regular cleaning visit. Most plans limit how often they pay for it, often once every six or twelve months.
What does dental code 11113 mean?
11113 is three units of scaling. One unit of time is 15 minutes, so 11113 means about 45 minutes spent removing tartar.
Why does my crown estimate show two codes?
A crown is billed with the dentist's procedure code, such as 27201, plus a separate laboratory fee line for the lab that made the crown. Both lines together make up the cost of the crown.
Does CDCP use the same dental codes?
Yes. The Canadian Dental Care Plan uses the standard Canadian codes, but it pays from its own benefit grid, and some procedures need approval before treatment. For orthodontics it also uses its own payment codes that start with the letter P.
Are Canadian dental codes the same as American D-codes?
No. In the United States, dental offices use CDT codes that start with the letter D, such as D0120. Canadian offices use five-digit USC&LS codes, so the two systems do not match number for number.
Does a dental code tell me the price?
No. A code only names the treatment. Each dentist sets their own fees, and the Ontario Dental Association publishes a suggested fee guide that many offices and insurers use as a reference.
Sources: Canadian Dental Association USC&LS code structure; CDCP dental benefit grids (Sun Life); Interim Federal Health Program dental benefit grid; City of Toronto schedule of emergency dental procedures; provincial dental association patient fee guides.
Last reviewed October 18, 2026. Codes and plan rules change each year; confirm details with your dental office.