Summary & Overview
CDT D2160: Amalgam Three-Surface Restoration
Headline: CDT code D2160 denotes a three-surface amalgam restoration commonly used in restorative dentistry
Lead: CDT code D2160 represents an amalgam restoration covering three surfaces on a primary or permanent tooth, a routine restorative procedure in dental practices nationwide. Its clear definition supports consistent billing and clinical documentation for restorative services.
What the code represents and why it matters: The code captures placement or replacement of a three-surface amalgam filling, an essential restorative option for posterior teeth with moderate-to-large carious lesions or structural damage. Nationally, standardized use of CDT code D2160 helps align clinical records, payer adjudication, and utilization tracking for restorative dental care.
Key payers covered: Major commercial payers evaluated in this publication include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, and UnitedHealthcare.
What readers will learn: The publication provides benchmarks and clinical context for CDT code D2160, compares it to adjacent restoration codes, and outlines typical sites of service and common documentation considerations. It highlights coding scope, clinical scenarios where a three-surface amalgam is applicable, and connections to related restorative codes to aid in correct code selection. If certain administrative or payer-specific data are not present, the report notes "Data not available in the input."
Billing Code Overview
CDT code D2160 describes an amalgam restoration involving three surfaces for either primary or permanent teeth. This procedure falls under dentistry services and typically occurs in a dental office (POS 11). The code identifies placement or replacement of an amalgam filling that restores the anatomy of a tooth spanning three surfaces.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A pediatric or adult patient presents to a dental office with symptomatic or asymptomatic carious lesions on a posterior tooth requiring restoration. After clinical examination and radiographic assessment confirm decay involving three surfaces of a primary or permanent posterior tooth, the dentist administers local anesthesia as needed, removes carious tooth structure, prepares the cavity, and places an amalgam restoration spanning three surfaces. The visit typically occurs in a single dental office appointment (POS 11). Documentation includes tooth number, surfaces restored, anesthesia, materials used (amalgam), treatment time, and any intraoperative findings or complications.
Coding Specifications
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Common Modifiers
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52— Reduced Services: Use when the full service as described by CDT codeD2160was partially reduced or not completed, and documentation clearly explains the reduced scope. -
76— Repeat Procedure by Same Dentist: Use when the same dentist performs the same procedure (D2160) again on the same tooth during the postoperative period and documentation supports a distinct repeat service. -
Associated Provider Taxonomies
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1223G0001X— General Practice Dentist: General dental practitioners who provide routine restorative care including amalgam restorations.