Summary & Overview
CDT D2150: Amalgam Restoration, Two Surfaces
CDT code D2150 denotes a two-surface amalgam restoration for primary or permanent teeth, a common restorative dental procedure. Nationally, this code is important for tracking utilization of amalgam restorations versus alternative materials, budgeting dental benefits, and ensuring accurate claims processing across commercial plans. Major commercial payers in scope include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, and UnitedHealthcare.
Readers will learn what the code signifies clinically and administratively, typical settings where the service is delivered, and how it maps to related restorative codes for one- and three-surface amalgam restorations and comparable composite restorations. The publication outlines common ICD-10 diagnostic reasons that justify use of the code, highlights modifiers seen with the procedure, and identifies relevant dental provider taxonomies. It also summarizes payer coverage context and what elements claims reviewers commonly evaluate for this service. Where input data is missing for specific service-line metadata, the report notes "Data not available in the input." The content is intended to help billing professionals, dental administrators, and policy analysts understand the clinical definition, coding relationships, and payer coverage landscape for CDT code D2150 in a national context.
Billing Code Overview
CDT code D2150 represents Amalgam restoration involving two surfaces in either primary or permanent teeth. This procedure is classified under Dentistry services and typically occurs in a dental office (POS 11). The code denotes placement of an amalgam (silver) filling that restores two surfaces of a tooth.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A pediatric or adult patient presents to a dental office (POS 11) with a diagnosed dental carious lesion affecting two surfaces of a primary or permanent tooth. The patient reports sensitivity and localized pain on biting or on thermal stimulation. Clinical examination and bitewing radiographs confirm caries limited to an occlusal and one proximal surface (or two proximal surfaces) where an amalgam restoration is indicated. The dentist administers local anesthesia as needed, isolates the tooth, removes carious tissue, prepares the cavity, and places an amalgam restoration covering two surfaces. Post-operative instructions are provided and the patient is scheduled for routine recall.
Coding Specifications
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CDT code
D2150: Amalgam restoration for two surfaces, primary or permanent. -
Common Modifiers:
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52- Reduced Services -
Use when the service performed is a substantially reduced version of the described procedure (for example, an abbreviated restoration due to unforeseen circumstances). Document the reason for reduced service and the portion of service performed.
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76- Repeat Procedure by Same Dentist -
Use when the identical procedure is repeated subsequent to the original within the same course of treatment by the same dentist (for example, a replacement of the same two-surface amalgam by the same provider shortly after the initial attempt). Document dates and clinical justification.