What is the D9222 dental code?

It's the first 15 minutes of deep sedation or general anesthesia for dental treatment, billed once per session, with extra time billed under D9223.

How is anesthesia time billed?

By 15-minute increments. D9222 is the first 15 minutes; each additional 15 minutes is D9223. A one-hour case is one D9222 plus three D9223 units.

How much does deep sedation (D9222) cost?

The first 15 minutes is often around 150 to 400 USD depending on location and provider, with additional time adding to the total, so longer cases cost more.

When is deep sedation or general anesthesia used?

For complex oral surgery, extensive pediatric work, severe dental anxiety, or special-needs patients who can't tolerate treatment while awake.

Can nitrous oxide be billed with D9222?

Often not. Many payers don't allow nitrous oxide (D9230) on the same date of service as deep sedation or general anesthesia.

D9222 Dental Code: Deep Sedation / Anesthesia Cost

Code Summary

D9222 is the CDT code for the first 15 minutes of deep sedation or general anesthesia. It covers the initial block of time a patient is sedated for dental surgery, with each additional 15-minute period billed separately under D9223.

What D9222 means

D9222 covers deep sedation or general anesthesia for the first 15 minutes. "D" is dental, "92" is the anesthesia group, and "22" is this first time increment. Deep sedation and general anesthesia put a patient into a deeply unconscious state, used for complex oral surgery, very anxious patients, young children needing extensive work, or people with special needs.

Anesthesia here is time-based. D9222 reports only the first 15 minutes and is billed once per session; every additional 15-minute period is reported with D9223. So a one-hour case is one unit of D9222 plus three units of D9223. Timing starts when the clinician begins administering the agent and stays in continuous attendance.

These services are usually provided by oral surgeons or dentists with special anesthesia training and facilities. Coverage is heavily documentation-dependent, requiring anesthesia time records, consent, and a clear medical necessity. Plans also commonly bar billing nitrous oxide (D9230) on the same day as deep sedation.

When it's typically used

D9222 is reported for the first 15 minutes of deep sedation or general anesthesia during dental treatment — typically complex surgery, extensive pediatric cases, severe anxiety, or special-needs patients who can't otherwise tolerate care.

How much does D9222 cost?

Anesthesia is billed by time. The first 15 minutes (D9222) is often roughly 150 to 400 USD depending on region and provider, with each additional 15 minutes (D9223) adding to the total, so longer cases cost considerably more.

Is D9222 covered by insurance?

Coverage is inconsistent and documentation-heavy, requiring time records, consent, and medical necessity. Some plans cover it for qualifying surgical or special-needs cases; others don't. Many payers won't allow nitrous oxide (D9230) on the same date as deep sedation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the D9222 dental code?: It's the first 15 minutes of deep sedation or general anesthesia for dental treatment, billed once per session, with extra time billed under D9223.
How is anesthesia time billed?: By 15-minute increments. D9222 is the first 15 minutes; each additional 15 minutes is D9223. A one-hour case is one D9222 plus three D9223 units.
How much does deep sedation (D9222) cost?: The first 15 minutes is often around 150 to 400 USD depending on location and provider, with additional time adding to the total, so longer cases cost more.
When is deep sedation or general anesthesia used?: For complex oral surgery, extensive pediatric work, severe dental anxiety, or special-needs patients who can't tolerate treatment while awake.
Does insurance cover D9222?: Inconsistently, and it's documentation-heavy — requiring time records, consent, and medical necessity. Some plans cover qualifying surgical or special-needs cases.
Can nitrous oxide be billed with D9222?: Often not. Many payers don't allow nitrous oxide (D9230) on the same date of service as deep sedation or general anesthesia.

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.