Dental coding with Kyle: Occlusal guards
The reasons for determining insurance coverage and non-coverage have not changed, but the CDT codes have.
Out with the old CDT code!
D9940 Occlusal guard, by report
In with the new CDT codes!
• D9944 Occlusal guard–Hard appliance, full arch • D9945 Occlusal guard–Soft appliance • D9946 Occlusal guard–Hard appliance, partial arch
The reasons that insurance companies may cover include:
• Some plans will provide a benefit for a patient suffering the effects of bruxism. • Some plans will provide a benefit for an occlusal guard, but only if the patient has a six-month prior to fabrication history of periodontal treatment, such as scaling and root planing and osseous surgery.
The reasons insurance companies may deny include:
• Failure to use one of the new 2019 CDT codes listed above • Failure to indicate on the ADA claim form the reason for fabrication of the appliance • Annual maximum has been absorbed • Frequency and limitations play an important role in coverage. Be sure to find out if the patient has a fabrication history of an occlusal guard appliance.