D9120 — Fixed bridge sectioning
D9120 cuts a bridge in two, usually to save the sound part when one supporting tooth has failed.
It is one of six codes covering palliative and adjunctive treatment. For the procedure itself rather than the code, see the palliative and adjunctive treatment guide; for the code, read on.
This page sets out the conditions the code carries, what practices charge for it, how a plan is likely to assess it, and the named difference between it and each of its neighbours.
The nearby codes and how they differ
D9110 — Palliative treatment for dental pain: It is emergency treatment aimed only at relieving pain rather than fixing its cause, and is the code for an out-of-hours or first-aid visit.
D9910 — Desensitizing medicament application: It applies a desensitising medicament to sensitive teeth, a quick chairside application.
D9911 — Desensitizing resin (gumline/root), per tooth: It bonds a desensitising resin onto an exposed root surface, tooth by tooth, which lasts longer than a medicament.
D9930 — Treatment of post-surgical complications: It is the appointment that deals with a complication after surgery: a dry socket, bleeding, or unusual swelling.
D9120 sits in a group of six codes in total; the remainder are linked at the foot of this page. Two of these codes on one estimate is not necessarily an error, but it is always worth asking what each line is for.
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 |
|---|---|
| D9120 | Fixed bridge sectioning — this page |
| D9110 | Palliative treatment for dental pain |
| D9910 | Desensitizing medicament application |
| D9911 | Desensitizing resin (gumline/root), per tooth |
| D9930 | Treatment of post-surgical complications |
| D9951 | Occlusal adjustment, limited (bite adjustment) |
Questions about D9120
What is D9120 on my dental bill?
On a claim, D9120 tells the insurer that what was performed was fixed bridge sectioning.
Is D9120 expensive?
The usual range is $150–$450. Anything well outside it is worth a question rather than an assumption.
Is D9120 a covered benefit?
Expect basic / adjunctive handling — typically 50–80%. Submitting an estimate first turns that percentage into a number you can rely on.
What is the difference between D9120 and D9110?
D9110 is palliative treatment for dental pain: it is emergency treatment aimed only at relieving pain rather than fixing its cause, and is the code for an out-of-hours or first-aid visit. These are not two versions of one procedure: they are separate treatments, and a plan assesses each on its own merits.
Also known as: emergency dental pain, palliative treatment, sensitive teeth, high filling, bite adjustment.