What D6082 means

D6082 covers an implant-supported crown, porcelain fused to predominantly base alloys. "D" is dental, "60" places it in the implant services area, and "82" is this implant-supported PFM base-alloy crown. 'Implant-supported' means direct connection to the implant (no separate billed abutment); 'porcelain fused to predominantly base alloys' means a PFM crown using a base-metal alloy. So D6082 is a PFM crown (base-metal core, porcelain surface) attached directly to the implant.

So it's a porcelain-over-base-metal tooth connecting straight to the implant — no separate abutment billed.

D6082 combines two features from opposite corners of the implant-crown grid: implant-supported architecture (like D6065, D6066, D6067) — the crown connects DIRECTLY to the implant; there's no separate, independently billed abutment component; one crown fee, not an abutment-plus-crown structure; PFM material with predominantly base alloys (like D6060, but implant-supported instead of abutment-supported) — the crown has a metal coping (here, base-metal alloy — mostly non-precious, e.g., nickel-chromium or cobalt-chromium) with tooth-colored porcelain fused over it; combines PFM's strength-plus-esthetics with base metal's economy; why this combination exists — some implant restorative systems connect the final PFM crown directly to the implant (no separate abutment step billed), and the base-metal alloy is chosen for cost/strength reasons — independent of the support-type decision; the two axes remain independent — support (abutment-supported vs implant-supported) and material/metal class (ceramic, PFM, cast metal; high noble/noble/base) combine to define each code; D6082 = implant-supported + PFM + base alloy; its abutment-supported counterpart is D6060 (same alloy, but with a separately billed abutment); and coding accuracy — confirming both implant-supported (not abutment-supported) and predominantly base (not high noble or noble) is essential for D6082. Distinguish by SUPPORT from D6060 (abutment-supported, same alloy); by MATERIAL/METAL CLASS from other implant-supported crowns (D6065 ceramic, D6066/D6067 high noble, D6086 titanium). Coverage varies. This code is in the implant services area. Documentation supports the claim.

When it's typically used

D6082 is reported for a single implant-supported crown, porcelain fused to predominantly base alloys — a PFM crown (base-metal core, porcelain surface) that attaches directly to the implant, without a separate billed abutment. It combines PFM's strength-plus-esthetics with an economical base-metal alloy and a direct-to-implant architecture (one fee). Distinct by support from D6060 (abutment-supported, same alloy) and by material/metal class from other implant-supported crowns (D6065, D6066, D6067, D6086).

How much does D6082 cost?

An implant-supported PFM base-alloy crown's cost reflects a lab-fabricated PFM crown using an economical base-metal alloy, attached directly to the implant — typically ONE fee (crown only), since there's no separate abutment billed as with the abutment-supported family. Coverage varies (implant crowns often subject to alternate-benefit, missing-tooth, and time limitations). Reporting the correct support type and metal class matters. Verify coverage with the relevant plan.

Is D6082 covered by insurance?

Coverage for D6082 varies. Because it's implant-supported (not abutment-supported), there's no separate abutment code — the crown itself is the billed restoration. Reporting the correct SUPPORT type (implant-supported) and METAL CLASS (predominantly base, not high noble or noble) is essential; mixing up support type or alloy is a common coding error. If there's no implant coverage, an alternate benefit may apply; missing-tooth clauses and 5-10 year limitations are common. Verifying coverage helps.

PFM esthetics, base-metal economy, direct connection

Three features combined in one code, and understanding this clarifies D6082.

Understanding D6082's combination clarifies the code. D6082 stacks three independent design choices into one crown: PFM construction — a base-metal coping (for strength and fit) with tooth-colored porcelain fused over it (for esthetics) — the classic PFM 'best of both' approach, applied here; predominantly base alloy — the metal core is mostly non-precious (nickel-chromium, cobalt-chromium, etc.), the most economical metal class, chosen for cost and/or strength reasons; implant-supported (direct) architecture — the crown connects straight to the implant, with no separate abutment component independently billed — a one-fee restoration rather than abutment-plus-crown; how they combine — these three choices are independent: you could have PFM+base+abutment-supported (D6060) or PFM+base+implant-supported (D6082) — same material, different architecture; economy on two fronts — base metal (cheaper alloy) AND implant-supported (no separate abutment fee) both push toward a more economical total restoration compared to, say, an abutment-supported high-noble PFM crown; and the esthetic middle ground — PFM still gives reasonable esthetics (better than plain metal, though not as translucent as all-ceramic) even with the economical base alloy and direct-connection architecture.

So D6082 combines PFM's balanced esthetics, base metal's economy, and implant-supported's simpler billing into one crown. So D6082 combines PFM construction, base-metal economy, and direct implant connection. Understanding this helps patients see that D6082 stacks three independent design choices into one crown — PFM construction (a base-metal coping/for strength and fit with tooth-colored porcelain fused over it/for esthetics, the classic PFM 'best of both' approach applied here), predominantly base alloy (the metal core mostly non-precious/nickel-chromium, cobalt-chromium, etc., the most economical metal class, chosen for cost and/or strength reasons), implant-supported/direct architecture (the crown connecting straight to the implant with no separate abutment component independently billed, a one-fee restoration rather than abutment-plus-crown), how they combine (these three choices being independent: you could have PFM+base+abutment-supported/D6060 or PFM+base+implant-supported/D6082, same material different architecture), economy on two fronts (base metal/cheaper alloy AND implant-supported/no separate abutment fee both pushing toward a more economical total restoration compared to, say, an abutment-supported high-noble PFM crown), and the esthetic middle ground (PFM still giving reasonable esthetics/better than plain metal though not as translucent as all-ceramic even with the economical base alloy and direct-connection architecture) — so D6082 combining PFM's balanced esthetics, base metal's economy, and implant-supported's simpler billing into one crown.

D6082 vs D6060: same alloy, different architecture

The implant-supported counterpart, and understanding this clarifies the pairing.

Understanding the D6060/D6082 pairing clarifies D6082. These two codes share the PFM-base-metal material but differ in support — a useful direct comparison: D6060 (abutment-supported, PFM base metal) — the crown sits on a SEPARATE abutment (D6056/D6057) that's billed as its own procedure; total billing = abutment fee + crown fee; D6082 (implant-supported, PFM base alloys — this code) — the crown connects DIRECTLY to the implant; no separate billed abutment; total billing = crown fee only; identical crown construction — both are PFM with a base-metal coping and porcelain overlay; the ONLY difference is how the crown interfaces with the implant; determined by the restoration, not preference — which code applies depends on the actual clinical/laboratory configuration used for that implant — whether a distinct abutment component was fabricated and billed, or the crown connects directly; the common error — reporting D6082 (implant-supported) when a separate abutment was actually used (which should be D6060, abutment-supported) is a coding mistake, and vice versa; and why the pairing helps understanding — seeing D6060 and D6082 side by side makes clear that 'support type' and 'material/metal class' are independent decisions that combine to form the final code.

So D6082 is D6060's implant-supported twin: same PFM/base-metal construction, direct-to-implant instead of via a separate abutment. So D6082 and D6060 share PFM/base-metal construction but differ in support type. Understanding this helps patients see that D6060 and D6082 share the PFM-base-metal material but differ in support (a useful direct comparison) — D6060/abutment-supported, PFM base metal (the crown sitting on a SEPARATE abutment/D6056/D6057 that's billed as its own procedure, total billing = abutment fee + crown fee), D6082/implant-supported, PFM base alloys, this code (the crown connecting DIRECTLY to the implant, no separate billed abutment, total billing = crown fee only), identical crown construction (both being PFM with a base-metal coping and porcelain overlay, the ONLY difference being how the crown interfaces with the implant), determined by the restoration not preference (which code applies depending on the actual clinical/laboratory configuration used for that implant, whether a distinct abutment component was fabricated and billed or the crown connects directly), the common error (reporting D6082/implant-supported when a separate abutment was actually used/which should be D6060, abutment-supported being a coding mistake, and vice versa), and why the pairing helps understanding (seeing D6060 and D6082 side by side making clear that 'support type' and 'material/metal class' are independent decisions that combine to form the final code) — so D6082 being D6060's implant-supported twin: same PFM/base-metal construction, direct-to-implant instead of via a separate abutment.

Where D6082 sits among the implant-supported crowns

Filling the base-alloy PFM slot, and understanding this clarifies the family.

Understanding the implant-supported family clarifies D6082. The implant-supported single-crown codes mirror the abutment-supported family's material logic, filling in as CDT has expanded: all-ceramic — D6065 (implant-supported porcelain/ceramic); PFM by metal class — D6066 (high noble alloys), D6082 (predominantly base alloys — this code), and (per some code lists) further granularity exists for noble alloys and other combinations as CDT has been updated over time; full metal — D6067 (metal, high noble alloys); other materials — D6086 (implant-supported crown, porcelain fused to titanium or titanium alloys) reflects titanium's growing role in implant dentistry; the pattern — as with abutment-supported, implant-supported crowns are organized by material and (for metal-containing) metal class, just without a separate abutment component; D6082's slot — it's specifically the PFM/base-alloy cell of the implant-supported grid; and practical note — because implant-supported and abutment-supported codes have evolved somewhat differently over CDT revisions (not perfectly symmetric in every metal class), checking the current CDT descriptors for the exact code set in use is good practice.

So D6082 fills the PFM/predominantly-base-alloy slot in the implant-supported crown family. So D6082 is the PFM/base-alloy member of the implant-supported single-crown family. Understanding this helps patients see that the implant-supported single-crown codes mirror the abutment-supported family's material logic, filling in as CDT has expanded — all-ceramic (D6065/implant-supported porcelain, ceramic), PFM by metal class (D6066/high noble alloys, D6082/predominantly base alloys, this code, and per some code lists further granularity existing for noble alloys and other combinations as CDT has been updated over time), full metal (D6067/metal, high noble alloys), other materials (D6086/implant-supported crown, porcelain fused to titanium or titanium alloys reflecting titanium's growing role in implant dentistry), the pattern (as with abutment-supported implant-supported crowns being organized by material and, for metal-containing, metal class, just without a separate abutment component), D6082's slot (it being specifically the PFM/base-alloy cell of the implant-supported grid), and practical note (because implant-supported and abutment-supported codes have evolved somewhat differently over CDT revisions/not perfectly symmetric in every metal class, checking the current CDT descriptors for the exact code set in use being good practice) — so D6082 filling the PFM/predominantly-base-alloy slot in the implant-supported crown family.

Where D6082 fits in the codes

D6082 is the base-alloy PFM implant-supported crown, and understanding this clarifies the coding.

Understanding where D6082 sits clarifies the coding. D6082 is among the implant services codes (D6000s), in the single-tooth IMPLANT-SUPPORTED crown family — the counterpart to the abutment-supported family: implant-supported single crowns — D6065 (porcelain/ceramic), D6066 (PFM, high noble alloys), D6067 (metal, high noble alloys), D6082 (PFM, predominantly base alloys — this code), D6086 (PFM, titanium/titanium alloys); the abutment-supported parallel — D6058 (ceramic), D6059-D6061 (PFM by metal class, including D6060 base metal — D6082's abutment-supported counterpart), D6062-D6064 (cast metal by metal class); and the abutments (relevant only to the abutment-supported family) — D6056/D6057.

So D6082 is precisely: an implant-supported crown, porcelain fused to predominantly base alloys, with no separately billed abutment. It's distinguished from D6060 (the abutment-supported version of the same PFM/base-alloy combination) by support type, and from other implant-supported crowns (D6065 ceramic, D6066/D6067 high noble, D6086 titanium) by material/metal class. The provider codes D6082 for the implant-supported PFM base-alloy crown (one fee, no separate abutment). So D6082 is the PFM/base-alloy member of the implant-supported single-crown family. Understanding this helps patients see that D6082 is among the implant services codes (D6000s) in the single-tooth IMPLANT-SUPPORTED crown family, the counterpart to the abutment-supported family — implant-supported single crowns (D6065/porcelain, ceramic, D6066/PFM, high noble alloys, D6067/metal, high noble alloys, D6082/PFM, predominantly base alloys, this code, D6086/PFM, titanium, titanium alloys), the abutment-supported parallel (D6058/ceramic, D6059-D6061/PFM by metal class, including D6060 base metal, D6082's abutment-supported counterpart, D6062-D6064/cast metal by metal class), and the abutments/relevant only to the abutment-supported family (D6056/D6057) — so D6082 is precisely an implant-supported crown, porcelain fused to predominantly base alloys, with no separately billed abutment, distinguished from D6060 (the abutment-supported version of the same PFM/base-alloy combination) by support type, and from other implant-supported crowns (D6065 ceramic, D6066/D6067 high noble, D6086 titanium) by material/metal class, the provider coding D6082 for the implant-supported PFM base-alloy crown (one fee, no separate abutment).

Frequently asked questions

What is the D6082 dental code?

It's an implant-supported crown, porcelain fused to predominantly base alloys — a PFM crown (metal core with porcelain overlay) that connects directly to the implant, without a separate, separately billed abutment. It's the implant-supported counterpart to D6060 (abutment-supported PFM base metal), sharing the same alloy but with a direct-to-implant architecture.

What makes it 'implant-supported' rather than 'abutment-supported'?

Whether a separate, independently billed abutment exists. In D6082, the crown connects directly to the implant — there's no distinct abutment component fabricated and billed on its own. In the abutment-supported version (D6060), a separate abutment (D6056/D6057) is placed and billed, and the crown sits on that abutment instead.

How many fees does D6082 typically involve?

Usually just one — the crown fee. Because there's no separate abutment being billed, an implant-supported restoration like D6082 is typically a single line item, unlike the abutment-supported family (D6058-D6064), which involves an abutment fee plus a crown fee.

How is D6082 different from D6060?

They share the same PFM construction and base-metal alloy, but differ in support type. D6060 is abutment-supported — the crown sits on a separately billed abutment. D6082 is implant-supported — the crown connects directly to the implant, with no separate abutment fee. Same material, different architecture and billing.

Why choose base-metal PFM with implant-supported architecture?

For economy on two fronts: base metal is the least costly alloy class, and implant-supported architecture means no separate abutment fee. Combined with PFM's reasonable esthetics (better than plain metal, though less translucent than all-ceramic), D6082 can be a cost-conscious option where the restorative system supports a direct-to-implant connection.

Is it covered by insurance?

Coverage varies. Because it's implant-supported, there's no separate abutment code. Reporting the correct support type (implant-supported) and metal class (predominantly base) is essential — mixing these up is a common coding error. If there's no implant coverage, an alternate benefit may apply; missing-tooth clauses and 5-10 year limitations are common. Verify your coverage.

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.