D6190 — Radiographic/surgical implant index (guide)
D6190 is the radiographic or surgical guide made before implant surgery, the template that positions the drill.
One of five implant abutment and surgical guide codes. If you are trying to understand the treatment, start with the implant abutment and surgical guide guide; if you are trying to understand this line on your estimate, you are in the right place.
Below: the conditions built into this particular code, a realistic fee range, what happens when it reaches an insurer, and a side-by-side comparison with the codes most often substituted for it.
D6190 compared with its closest relatives
D6057 — Custom implant abutment: It is an abutment machined or cast for one implant individually, used where a stock component will not suit the angle or the gum contour.
D6056 — Prefabricated implant abutment: It is a stock, off-the-shelf abutment: the connector screwed into the implant that the crown then sits on.
D6055 — Implant connecting bar (for overdenture): It is the bar screwed across several implants that an overdenture then clips onto.
D6051 — Interim implant abutment placement: It is the interim version.
Those four codes and D6190 are the whole group — nothing else describes this procedure. Reviewers compare the narrative against the code rather than the other way round, so the question worth asking is what the notes will say.
Every code in this group
These codes describe the same broad procedure and differ in one respect each. Each has its own page with its own fee range and coverage notes.
| Code | Procedure |
|---|---|
| D6190 | Radiographic/surgical implant index (guide) — this page |
| D6051 | Interim implant abutment placement |
| D6055 | Implant connecting bar (for overdenture) |
| D6056 | Prefabricated implant abutment |
| D6057 | Custom implant abutment |
Questions about D6190
What procedure is D6190?
Radiographic/surgical implant index, guide. It belongs to the implant services section of the code set.
Is D6190 expensive?
Usually somewhere in $300–$900 as a gross fee. The code fixes what was done, not what it costs, so ask for the practice's own figure in writing.
How do dental plans handle D6190?
It is generally a covered benefit in the major category, 0–50%. Frequency limits and waiting periods are the usual reasons a claim is refused.
What is the difference between D6190 and D6057?
D6057 is custom implant abutment: it is an abutment machined or cast for one implant individually, used where a stock component will not suit the angle or the gum contour. The two are neighbours by number rather than by treatment, so seeing both on a plan usually means both were genuinely planned.
Also known as: implant abutment, custom abutment, surgical guide, implant index, connecting bar.