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 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

• CDT code D2150: Amalgam restoration for two surfaces, primary or permanent.

• Common Modifiers:

• 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.

• 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.

• Associated Provider Taxonomies:

• 1223G0001X - General Practice Dentist

• 1223D0001X - Dental Public Health

• 1223P0221X - Pediatric Dentist

These taxonomies represent dentists who commonly perform D2150 restorations in general, community/public health, and pediatric practice settings respectively.

Related Diagnoses

• K02.9 - Dental caries, unspecified

• Clinical relevance: Represents an active carious lesion that may necessitate restorative treatment such as a two-surface amalgam (D2150) when the lesion spans two surfaces.

• K02.3 - Arrested dental caries

• Clinical relevance: Represents caries that have ceased progressing; may still be associated with structural defects or previous restorations where a two-surface amalgam is required for repair or replacement.

• K03.81 - Cracked tooth

• Clinical relevance: Structural compromise of a tooth with a crack may require restoration of involved surfaces; when two surfaces are affected, D2150 can be the appropriate restorative code.

• K08.8 - Other specified disorders of teeth and supporting structures

• Clinical relevance: A catch-all category for dental structural or developmental disorders that can result in defects requiring restorative treatment involving two surfaces, for which D2150 may be used.

Related Codes

• D2140 - Amalgam - one surface, primary or permanent

• Relationship: A smaller restoration option when only a single tooth surface is involved; used when clinical caries extent limited to one surface. Commonly used as an alternative when the lesion is less extensive than indicated for D2150.

• D2160 - Amalgam - three surfaces, primary or permanent

• Relationship: A larger restoration option when caries involve three surfaces; used when the defect extends beyond two surfaces. May be billed instead of D2150 if the preparation involves an additional surface.

• D2330 - Resin-based composite - one surface, anterior

• Relationship: A restorative alternative using tooth-colored resin material for anterior teeth; not directly equivalent for posterior two-surface amalgam restorations but relevant when material choice or tooth location differs.

• D2391 - Resin-based composite - one surface, posterior

• Relationship: A posterior resin alternative for small restorations; may be used instead of amalgam in posterior teeth when material selection favors composite for one-surface lesions. Not a direct substitute for a two-surface amalgam but relevant in material selection and treatment planning.

• Common combinations/alternatives: D2150 is commonly selected when two-surface amalgam restoration is clinically indicated; D2140 and D2160 are the immediate size-based alternatives. Resin-based codes (D2330, D2391) are alternatives based on material choice and tooth location.

National mean rates show that BUCA (average commercial) at $73.74 sits between typical commercial payers and the higher-paying Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare. Medicare data is not available in the input, so a direct numeric comparison between Medicare and BUCA cannot be provided; the table and chart below present the full breakdown of available payer means and percentiles.

Rate dispersion (P75 minus P25) varies across payers: Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare exhibit wider spreads (P75−P25 of $38.75 and $26.50 respectively), indicating greater variability among providers, while Cigna Health and Aetna are relatively tighter (P75−P25 of $16.00 and $12.67 respectively). BUCA shows a moderate spread (P75−P25 of $44.00). The table and chart below present the full breakdown.