What is the D6010 dental code?

It's the surgical placement of an endosteal implant body — the titanium post put into the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root.

Does D6010 include the crown?

No. It's only the implant post. The abutment and the final crown (or bridge/denture) are separate procedures with their own codes, placed after healing.

How much does a dental implant (D6010) cost?

Often around 1,500 to 3,000 USD for the post alone. A complete single-tooth implant with abutment and crown commonly totals around 4,000 to 6,000 USD.

Why won't my insurance cover my implant?

Some plans have a 'missing tooth clause' (no coverage if the tooth was already missing when the policy began) or downgrade to a bridge or denture allowance.

Why is implant treatment split across two years?

Annual maximums often can't cover the whole cost at once, so the post may be placed in one benefit year and the crown in the next to use two years of benefits.

What other codes go with D6010?

Typically an abutment (D6056 prefabricated or D6057 custom) and a crown (such as D6058 or D6065), plus sometimes extraction or bone grafting beforehand.

D6010 Dental Code: Implant Placement Cost & Coverage

Code Summary

D6010 is the CDT code for the surgical placement of an endosteal implant body — the titanium post inserted into the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root. It's the foundation step of an implant, and does not include the abutment or crown.

What D6010 means

D6010 covers the surgical placement of an endosteal implant body, the titanium post placed into the jawbone. "D" is dental, "60" is the implant services group, and "10" is this placement code. It's the first stage of replacing a missing tooth with an implant and relies on osseointegration, where bone grows around the post to anchor it.

Importantly, D6010 is only the post. It does not include the abutment (the connector) or the final crown, bridge, or denture that goes on top — those are separate procedures with their own codes, placed after the implant heals. A complete single-tooth implant is therefore usually several codes: the implant body, an abutment, and a crown.

This is one of the most scrutinized codes in dental insurance. Many plans cover it at around half the cost, but some apply a "missing tooth clause" (no coverage if the tooth was missing before the policy began) or an alternate-benefit downgrade to a cheaper bridge or denture. Annual maximums often mean implant treatment is split across two benefit years.

When it's typically used

D6010 is reported when an implant post is surgically placed in the jawbone to replace a missing tooth root. It's the foundation step, often preceded by extraction or bone grafting and followed later by an abutment and crown.

How much does D6010 cost?

Implant placement is a significant fee, often roughly 1,500 to 3,000 USD for the post alone depending on region and provider. The full single-tooth implant (post, abutment, crown) commonly totals around 4,000 to 6,000 USD.

Is D6010 covered by insurance?

Coverage has improved but is heavily conditioned. Some plans pay around half up to the annual maximum; others apply a missing-tooth clause or downgrade to a bridge or denture allowance. Because of annual maximums, treatment is often staged across two calendar years to use two years of benefits.

Frequently asked questions

What is the D6010 dental code?: It's the surgical placement of an endosteal implant body — the titanium post put into the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root.
Does D6010 include the crown?: No. It's only the implant post. The abutment and the final crown (or bridge/denture) are separate procedures with their own codes, placed after healing.
How much does a dental implant (D6010) cost?: Often around 1,500 to 3,000 USD for the post alone. A complete single-tooth implant with abutment and crown commonly totals around 4,000 to 6,000 USD.
Why won't my insurance cover my implant?: Some plans have a 'missing tooth clause' (no coverage if the tooth was already missing when the policy began) or downgrade to a bridge or denture allowance.
Why is implant treatment split across two years?: Annual maximums often can't cover the whole cost at once, so the post may be placed in one benefit year and the crown in the next to use two years of benefits.
What other codes go with D6010?: Typically an abutment (D6056 prefabricated or D6057 custom) and a crown (such as D6058 or D6065), plus sometimes extraction or bone grafting beforehand.

This page is an independent, plain-language explanation for general information only. It is not billing, coding, or clinical advice. For the official CDT descriptor and current-year wording, refer to the American Dental Association.