D6052 has been replaced in 2021

In the not-so-distant past, implants were not very predictable. Technology has advanced significantly, and today’s implants are much more predictable and reliable for patients. Implants are a new adjunct to dentistry, providing patients the option for the highest standard of tooth replacement.

The CDT codes have to keep up with rapidly changing techniques, so it is no surprise that there were implant code changes in 2021. There are usually always questions surrounding implant billing & coding when there are changes to the implant CDT codes, and we are here to help. 

One of the major changes in the implant coding set was D6052 SEMI-PRECISION ATTACHMENT ABUTMENT. This code was used for an implant that had an attachment apparatus, and the abutment and attachment were billed together with this single code. As of January 1, 2021, this is no longer an active CDT code — it has been deleted and replaced with new CDT codes. 

Which codes should be used in place of D6052?

D6052 should be replaced with the following codes that have been split to properly describe the abutment and attachment separately. 

• D6191 SEMI-PRECISION ABUTMENT — PLACEMENT 

This procedure is the initial placement, or replacement, of a semi-precision abutment on the implant body. This is the male piece of an implant locator. 

• D6192 SEMI-PRECISION ATTACHMENT — PLACEMENT

This procedure involves the luting of the initial, or replacement, semi-precision attachment to the removable prosthesis. This is the female keeper assembly luted into the removable prosthesis by either the dentist or the lab (aka the part that goes in the denture when you are either fabricating a new denture or you are refabricating an existing denture to now be attached via an implant and an attachment apparatus). 

You should report D6191 and D6192 together in conjunction with the abutment-supported removable overdenture (D6110 / D6111 / D6112 / D6113).

But wait, there’s more!

There were several other 2021 coding changes, revisions, and deletions. Are you up-to-date? To learn about all of them in-depth, enroll in the Ultimate Coding Bundle which includes a deep dive into all of the 2021 codes, 4.5 CE credits, and the Coding with Confidence in 2021 CDT Edition from Dr. Charles Blair for a limited time!