D8680 — Orthodontic retention (retainers)
D8680 is the retention phase: the retainers made once the braces come off, and the visits to fit them.
It is the default code in a group of five, and the one whose fee is normally quoted when this treatment is discussed. Our orthodontic visits, retention and appliances guide covers the procedure in depth.
What follows is the detail behind the number: the conditions the code sets, its typical fee, its usual benefit treatment, and a code-by-code comparison with its closest neighbours.
The nearby codes and how they differ
D8670 — Periodic orthodontic treatment visit: It is one routine adjustment visit during active orthodontic treatment, usually billed monthly against the total case fee.
D8660 — Pre-orthodontic treatment visit: It is the visit before orthodontic treatment starts, where the case is assessed and the plan discussed.
D8220 — Fixed appliance to control a habit: It is the fixed version of that habit appliance, cemented in so that the child cannot take it out.
D8210 — Removable appliance to control a habit: It is the removable appliance fitted to break a habit such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
Those four codes and D8680 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 |
|---|---|
| D8680 | Orthodontic retention (retainers) — this page |
| D8210 | Removable appliance to control a habit |
| D8220 | Fixed appliance to control a habit |
| D8660 | Pre-orthodontic treatment visit |
| D8670 | Periodic orthodontic treatment visit |
Questions about D8680
D8680 — what is it?
D8680 is shorthand for orthodontic retention, retainers — the same five characters every practice and every insurer in the country uses for it.
How much does D8680 cost?
Typically $300–$900 before insurance, depending on local fees and the complexity of the individual case.
Is D8680 a covered benefit?
Expect orthodontic handling — variable. Submitting an estimate first turns that percentage into a number you can rely on.
Also known as: retainer, orthodontic visit, habit appliance, thumb sucking, bracket repair.