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When given the choice, patients want biomimetic restorative dentistry. The patient's reason for wanting biomimetic codes is that there are no codes to document tooth conserving minimally invasive advanced adhesive protocols and procedures. When explained, they want their dental plan providers to know the actual work that's been done. And in an end state, they know it will help them and their families. We are lobbying the ADA for the inclusion of a new sub-category in the CDT called "Advanced Adhesive Biomimetic Protocols For Direct And Indirect Restorations" as well as individual supportive Biomimetic Codes in the CDT. These will be considered at the March 2018 meeting of the Code Maintenance Committee (CMC). Why are we doing what we're doing?The ADA Code of Ethics states that ADA dentists promise to put the patient FIRST. And second, to do no harm. Crowns can remove 70% of HEALTHY coronal enamel and dentin. So if you do a crown, you cannot claim to do no harm. 20%+ of all crowns will need a root canal after the crown has been placed. Again, you cannot claim to be doing no harm. Ideal alloy preps create stress points due to sharp retentive angles and undercuts. It is stated that the material is safe and effective and lasts a long time. But it is not the material that is the harm: it is the preparation. Again, exclusively using CDT codes and procedures, you cannot claim to have done no harm. And using 999 codes prohibits us from appropriately documenting the successful procedures we're using in maintaining healthy tooth structure and keeping teeth vital. The inclusion of Biomimetic codes in the CDT enables necessary documentation and is vital in providing evidence based data in support of retrospective and future studies to document the effectiveness of biomimetic techniques in keeping teeth vital and reducing lifetime costs.
This is a time sensitive call to action as the CMC closes input for its March 2018 meeting on November 1st. That's only one week away. This gives you very little time but is time well spent! Your participation alerts the ADA that there's more than one interested party in these code proposals. AND, we've included some time-saving links below to make your job easier!
Here's what you need to do...Please use this Helpful Email Link to complete the process. All you need to do is add your name at the bottom before you send.Note: If the above link doesn't work on your device, please create your own email written to the ADA and a cc: to Dr. Davis and include the text written below:
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