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# Explore D9120 Dental Code for Fixed Partial Denture Sectioning

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- May 29, 2025

When someone is missing a tooth or a few teeth, dentists can use something called a bridge (or fixed partial denture) to fill the gap. The bridge stays in place by attaching to nearby healthy teeth or dental implants.

Sometimes, a bridge might need fixing. This can happen if the teeth holding it get cavities, if part of the bridge breaks, or if it’s not working right anymore. But the good news is, you don’t always have to remove the whole bridge. Dentists can take out just the bad part and keep the rest if it’s still working well. This careful fix is called sectioning.

Dental code D9120 is used for this kind of fix. It helps dentists keep track of the treatment in your records and helps with insurance too. Using this code means the dentist gets paid correctly and quickly, and your treatment goes smoother. Knowing about D9120 helps both the dentist and the patient!

## D9120 Dental Code Description According to ADA

According to the American Dental Association (ADA) dental code D9120 is used for a procedure called fixed partial denture sectioning. This means the dentist cuts or separates parts of a dental bridge (a type of fake tooth that fills a gap).

During this procedure, the dentist separates the parts that connect the abutments (the teeth holding the bridge) and the pontics (the fake teeth in the bridge). Even after the bridge is cut, part of it will still stay in the mouth and keep working properly.

This code also includes any smoothing (recontouring) and polishing the dentist does to the parts that stay in place.

## When to Use D9120 Dental Code for Sectioning Bridge

In many cases, D9120 is used when:

Damaged or Decayed Abutment Teeth

D9120 requires the use of a bridge in situations where decay or damage develops on the teeth to which it will be attached. We must divide the area that needs treatment so the entire prosthesis remains helpful. It makes it possible for the dentist to work on small problems in the teeth while leaving the rest of the structure untouched. Once they agree that it’s the proper procedure, dentists have the information they need to bill insurance and set up a dental program.

Fitting or Broken Bridges

As you age, the mouth can shift, so your bridge may no longer fit the right way in your mouth. A broken pontic or a retainer that is not secured can both change how your mouth works and looks and can also irritate your gums. It is possible to take out just the damaged part of the bridge when using D9120 without requiring the whole restoration to be removed. It offers both ease for the patient and results in successfully sparing important bridge portions.

Access for Treatment

In some cases, dentists may have to lift the bridge to give access to the teeth or gums below. Some of these procedures include working on gum disease, giving root canals and caring for issues with the oral mucosa. Using D9120 to section the bridge, a dentist is able to make the needed openings without damaging more of the restoration. By using this approach, existing undamaged sections of the bridge are protected, and the number of restorative repairs is decreased.

Partial Prosthesis Failure

A portion of a fixed partial denture can become damaged or worn, but the remaining part should function as it should. Those responsible can solve this issue by removing and replacing just the harmed part of the bridge. It shows the way forward and records of the removed portion of the bridge. If all elements of the bridge are extracted, code 82655 is acknowledged by insurance companies.

Preparation for Implants or New Restorations

This is also needed if a bridge must be removed between the start and finish of a planned oral treatment using implants or crown units. A staged treatment allows the bridge to be repaired gradually, by replacing its parts bit by bit with new restorations. Using this code helps dentists accomplish the transition between the surgical and prosthetic phases.

## How Sectioning is Performed: Clinical Process Overview

In order to section, you must:

Assessment

Before removing any section of the bridge, the dental restoration and the surrounding teeth should be analyzed. A dentist assesses strength in both the teeth and the connective tissues visually and with X-ray images. The process helps the dentist make the necessary cuts and check how strong the uncut parts are.

Isolation

The area where the system is being serviced is protected against water, debris, and obstructed views. To protect both the accuracy and hygiene of the work, dentists use different protective measures, including cotton rolls, suction devices, and rubber dams.

Sectioning

Using the proper instrument and planning, the dentist makes an incision at the right part of the bridge. During the process of sectioning the bridge, it’s important to be careful not to damage adjacent teeth or fillings.

Recontouring

With the area marked off, the unseparated part is changed to become the exact size needed. Changes are made near the edges of the bridge that enhance comfort and utility.

Polishing

The last part of the process is to smooth the remaining bridge with buffing. As a result, the bridge is comfortable for your mouth and matches the color and shape of your neighboring teeth.

## Essential Documentation and Billing Tips for Accurate D9120 Claim Submission

To ensure you are charged correctly.

Detailed Narratives

Make sure the reader knows why the doctor needed to section the fetus. Specify what component was taken from the bridge, explain its reasons (such as decay or damage), and explain the method used to do so.

Pre-Operative Radiographs

Offer radiographs that show all the features of the fixed partial denture and all related areas. If your insurance company wants to see such records, the pictures will explain why the operation is necessary.

Treatment Plans

The plan must clearly state the reasons for ordering a sectioning process. Determine if you need more work done, such as crowns, tooth removal, or crowns and implants.

Avoid Redundancy

Make sure you don’t count D9120 twice when it is performed in addition to other services. Send it alone if the procedure is needed for a reason other than any other done at the same visit.

## Understanding Coordination of Benefits and Insurance Reimbursement for D9120 Dental Claims

When dealing with multiple insurance plans:

Primary vs. Secondary Coverage

You need to find out the primary and secondary insurance plans before you put in a claim. If you give your claim to the wrong provider, you may not be paid on time or at all.

Non-Duplication Clauses

A handful of secondary insurance policies are set up to only cover costs that go above the amounts claimed on the primary insurance. As a result, you avoid making incorrect charges for your patients.

Comprehensive Documentation

Don’t forget to include the necessary clinical information on every claim form. As a result, the claim is processed both quickly and rightly by the primary and secondary insurers.

## Avoiding Common Challenges and Claim Denials When Using Dental Code D9120

Experienced dental professionals can face the following:

Claim Denials

Many cases are denied because the information on the invoice is hard to make sense of. A case can be denied if important clinical notes, radiographs or the reasons for the sectioning are missing.

Billing Errors

Use of code D9120 for anything other than what is defined or not using sufficient support is likely to make billing difficult. Make sure the procedure adheres to the CDT code for sectioning and that it’s only being billed once.

Insurance Limitations

There are plans that don’t require patients to be sectioned and have fewer restrictions for claim approval. Check every deductible, and standard authorization is needed before completing sectioning to prevent denials.

## Section Bridge vs. Complete Removal: Code Differences

Code | Procedure Name | What It Means in Simple Words
D9120 | Sectioning of a fixed partial denture | Cutting a dental bridge and keeping part of it in place (not removing the whole bridge).
D7140 | Extraction of an erupted tooth or exposed root | Removing a tooth that has come out through the gums or a visible root.
D7210 | Surgical removal of erupted tooth with bone | Removing a tooth that needs bone cut or the tooth itself to be sectioned before taking it out.

## Expert Tips for Using Dental Code D9120: Advice from Dentists and Insurance Specialists

Professionals suggest:

Training Staff

Specialists say that every staff member at the front and back office should know plenty about codes such as D9120. Dealing with delayed or rejected claims from insurance companies can be avoided if a trained staff is involved.

Regular Updates

Make sure to follow updates to the CDT codes and regulations put out by insurance providers. Each year the CDT codes go through updates. Clinics should notice any changes observed in dentistry, and they should update their procedures accordingly.

Patient Communication

The patient needs to approve the sectioning procedure and all related costs before the treatment is carried out. Explaining the stake in the procedure, what is part of it, and how it may influence insurance supports reasonable hopes and happier patients.

## FAQs Related to Section Bridge Dental Code

Q1: What does D9120 cover?

A: It deals with how to section a fixed partial denture, along with reshaping and polishing the retained parts.

Q2: Can D9120 be billed alongside extraction codes?

A: Yes, if both procedures are performed and documented separately.

Q3: Is pre-authorization required for D9120?

A: Make sure you check with the patient’s insurance plan first since this will vary.

What is the best way to record the procedure?

A: Place all needed details, images, and treatment plans in the records when mapping a patient.

Q5: What’s the difference between sectioning and removing the entire bridge?

A: Sectioning (D9120) removes only part of the bridge, often to save part of the prosthesis, while full removal may require different codes.

Q6: Should I let the patient know I will be sectioning?

A: Absolutely. Always explain the purpose, how it will be done and what can happen as a result before you start.

## Conclusion: Making the Right Call on Sectioning Dental Bridges

Medical personnel should select D9120 when it’s necessary to split parts of a bridge without taking apart the whole bridge. The cost of the procedure can be charged fairly, even without calling it the total replacement of a bridge. If you code this surgery improperly, claims may be rejected, compensation can decrease, and regulations may be affected.

Dental professionals must ensure the clinical and administrative staff learn the right ways to use D9120. When the procedure is highlighted on a chart, before-treatment X-rays are shown, and the treatment is described, it becomes easier to maintain accurate records. When informed, you increase the chances of your claim being accepted, and you avoid issues with the insurance company.

In addition, working closely with patients matters just as much. Telling your patients about the need for sectioning and how it is priced helps build a trusting relationship. It also gives patients time to plan for costs that their insurance does not cover.

To make work in dental offices simpler and provide better care, using codes such as D9120 is very important. The section bridge dental code should be used well in order to achieve better clinical outcomes and improve the clinic’s financial situation.

Contact DRG! Expert help from DRG can help you optimize your dental bills, decrease claim denials, and get the highest payments possible. Get in touch with us now to increase your practice’s accuracy, follow regulations, and boost your profit.

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