What D6240 means

D6240 covers a pontic, porcelain fused to high noble metal. "D" is dental, "62" is the fixed prosthodontic pontic group, and "40" is this PFM version. In a fixed bridge, the pontic is the artificial tooth that fills the gap of a missing tooth, suspended between the supporting crowns. A porcelain-fused-to-metal pontic has a metal substructure (here, high noble metal — a precious alloy) with tooth-colored porcelain fused over it, giving the strength of metal underneath and a natural-looking porcelain surface.

Like all bridges, a PFM bridge is built from components: the pontic(s) (like D6240) and the retainer crowns. A typical three-unit bridge replacing one tooth is two retainer crowns plus one pontic, with the PFM versions all using porcelain-fused-to-metal construction.

PFM has long been a standard, reliable choice for bridges (and crowns), balancing strength and aesthetics. The pontic codes vary by the metal type in the PFM (high noble/D6240, predominantly base metal/D6241, noble/D6242) and by all-ceramic (D6245) or cast metal (D6210). A consideration with PFM is that the metal substructure can sometimes show as a slight dark line at the gumline over time, which all-ceramic avoids. Coverage is under major prosthodontic benefits, often around 50 percent.

When it's typically used

D6240 is reported for the porcelain-fused-to-high-noble-metal artificial replacement tooth (pontic) in a fixed bridge — the unit with a precious-metal core and tooth-colored porcelain surface that fills the gap of a missing tooth, balancing strength and appearance.

How much does D6240 cost?

A PFM pontic is a significant fee as one unit of a bridge, often roughly 800 to 1,400 USD for the pontic itself depending on region and the metal content (high noble/gold alloys cost more). A full three-unit PFM bridge often totals roughly 2,500 to 4,500+ USD including the retainer crowns.

Is D6240 covered by insurance?

Covered under major prosthodontic benefits, often around 50 percent after the deductible, with the bridge components billed together. PFM has long been a benchmark for bridge coverage, so all-ceramic versions are sometimes alternate-benefited to the PFM rate. Frequency limits (e.g., once every 5–7 years) and missing-tooth clauses may apply. The whole bridge is evaluated together.

What porcelain-fused-to-metal means

Porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) is a long-standing construction method for bridges and crowns, and understanding it explains the balance of properties a PFM pontic offers.

A PFM restoration has two layers: an inner substructure of metal (a cast metal alloy) that provides strength and a precise fit, and an outer layer of tooth-colored porcelain (ceramic) fused onto the metal, providing a natural appearance. This combination aims to get the best of both — the strength and durability of metal underneath, where it's not visible, and the tooth-like aesthetics of porcelain on the surface, where it shows. For a pontic (the bridge's replacement tooth), this means a strong replacement tooth that also looks natural.

The metal used can vary — high noble (precious, largely gold-based, as in D6240), noble, or predominantly base metal — affecting cost and some properties, with the code reflecting the metal type. PFM has been a reliable workhorse in dentistry for decades, used widely for both crowns and bridges, valued for its proven track record balancing strength and appearance. While all-ceramic options (with no metal) have grown popular for their superior aesthetics and metal-free nature, PFM remains a solid, time-tested choice, particularly where the strength of the metal substructure is desired. Understanding that PFM is a metal-and-porcelain hybrid helps explain its properties and why it's been such a common choice for bridges.

PFM vs all-ceramic bridges

When choosing a bridge, a common decision is between porcelain-fused-to-metal and all-ceramic, each with distinct advantages.

PFM (D6240 for the pontic) has a metal core with porcelain over it — it's strong, durable, time-tested, and reasonably aesthetic, a reliable standard for many years. Its considerations are that the metal substructure can sometimes create a slight grayness or a thin dark line at the gumline (especially if the gum recedes over time, exposing the metal margin), which is more of an issue in highly visible areas, and that some porcelain can chip from the metal over time. All-ceramic bridges (with a ceramic pontic, D6245) are metal-free, offering the most natural appearance (no risk of a dark metal line, better light transmission like natural teeth) and being ideal for visible front areas and metal-free preferences. Modern ceramics like zirconia are very strong, narrowing the durability gap that once favored PFM.

The choice depends on priorities: PFM for proven strength and a generally lower cost, sometimes preferred for back teeth or longer-span bridges where the metal's strength is valued; all-ceramic for the best aesthetics and metal-free nature, often preferred for visible front teeth. Insurance sometimes treats PFM as the benchmark, alternate-benefiting all-ceramic to the PFM rate (leaving a difference). The dentist weighs the location, aesthetic demands, forces, and cost to recommend the better option for the specific bridge. Both produce functional, durable bridges; the decision largely balances aesthetics (favoring all-ceramic) against the proven track record and sometimes cost (favoring PFM).

How bridges replace missing teeth

Understanding how a bridge restores a missing tooth puts the PFM pontic in context as part of the overall restoration.

When a tooth is missing, leaving the gap can cause problems: neighboring teeth can drift or tilt into the space, the opposing tooth can over-erupt, the bite can be affected, chewing function is reduced, and (for visible teeth) appearance suffers. A bridge addresses this by filling the gap with a pontic (the replacement tooth, like the PFM D6240) anchored to crowns on the adjacent supporting teeth. This restores the appearance of a complete smile, the ability to chew on that side, and the proper positioning of the teeth, preventing the drifting and over-eruption that an open gap allows. The bridge is fixed (non-removable), functioning like natural teeth.

So the pontic does the job of the missing tooth — but as part of a connected unit supported by the adjacent teeth. This is why replacing a missing tooth with a bridge involves preparing the neighboring teeth for the retainer crowns, making it a restoration that addresses the whole span rather than just the gap. The result, when the missing tooth is replaced, is restored function, appearance, and tooth positioning. Understanding that a bridge restores not just the look of the missing tooth but also protects against the problems an untreated gap causes helps explain why replacing missing teeth (with a bridge or an implant) is generally recommended rather than leaving gaps.

Caring for a PFM bridge

A PFM bridge can last many years with proper care, and the key — as with any bridge — is keeping the supporting teeth healthy through good cleaning, especially under the pontic.

The supporting teeth (abutments) beneath the retainer crowns are natural teeth that remain vulnerable to decay at the margins where the crowns meet them, particularly at the gumline — and decay on a supporting tooth is a leading cause of bridge failure. So meticulous oral hygiene is essential. Because the bridge units are connected, normal flossing between them isn't possible; instead, a floss threader is used to pass floss under the pontic and around the supporting teeth, or an interdental brush or water flosser cleans beneath the pontic and around the abutments. This daily under-the-bridge cleaning is crucial to protect the supporting teeth from decay and keep the gums healthy.

Beyond cleaning, avoiding very hard or sticky foods that could damage the bridge, wearing a night guard if you grind, and keeping up with regular dental checkups (so the dentist can monitor the bridge, the supporting teeth, and the gumline) all contribute to longevity. With good care, a PFM bridge can last a decade or more. One thing to watch with PFM specifically is the gumline appearance over time — if the gum recedes and exposes the metal margin, a dark line may show; good gum health helps prevent this. Overall, diligent daily cleaning (especially under the pontic) and regular professional care are what make a PFM bridge last, by keeping the supporting teeth and gums healthy.

Frequently asked questions

What is the D6240 dental code?

It's a porcelain-fused-to-high-noble-metal (PFM) pontic — the artificial replacement tooth in a fixed bridge, with a precious-metal core covered by tooth-colored porcelain, balancing strength and appearance.

What does porcelain-fused-to-metal mean?

A restoration with an inner metal core for strength and an outer tooth-colored porcelain layer for a natural look — combining metal's durability with porcelain's aesthetics. It's a long-standing standard.

What's the difference between a PFM and all-ceramic bridge?

PFM (D6240) has a metal core with porcelain over it — strong and proven, but the metal can sometimes show at the gumline. All-ceramic (D6245) is metal-free with the most natural look. Modern ceramics are very strong.

How much does a PFM bridge cost?

The PFM pontic alone is often around 800 to 1,400 USD; a full three-unit PFM bridge often totals roughly 2,500 to 4,500+ USD including the retainer crowns.

Why replace a missing tooth with a bridge?

Leaving a gap lets neighboring teeth drift and the opposing tooth over-erupt, affecting the bite and chewing. A bridge fills the gap, restoring function, appearance, and proper tooth positioning.

How do I care for a PFM bridge?

Clean under the pontic and around the supporting teeth with a floss threader, interdental brush, or water flosser, brush well, avoid hard/sticky foods, and keep up with checkups to prevent decay on the supporting teeth.

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.