CDT D2140: Amalgam, One Surface, Primary or Permanent

CDT code D2140 denotes a single-surface amalgam restoration for primary or permanent teeth, a common restorative dental procedure used to repair decay or minor tooth damage. Nationally, this code matters because it captures a routine restorative service that influences utilization patterns, coverage policies, and adjudication practices across dental and medical payers. It is also a benchmark for comparing alternative restorative materials and clinical approaches.

Key payers in this overview include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, and UnitedHealthcare. Readers will find coverage and billing context for these major commercial payers, including typical sites of service and clinical indications that justify the procedure. The overview covers how D2140 fits within restorative coding, relationships to adjacent restorative codes, and common diagnostic reasons for use.

This publication provides practical insights into coding specificity, common clinical contexts for use, and payer coverage considerations relevant to dental practices, billing teams, and policy analysts. It highlights where more detailed policy or documentation guidance may be needed and notes when input data is missing. Data not available in the input is identified where applicable.