D1516 is the CDT code for a fixed bilateral space maintainer in the maxillary arch. It is cemented in place and holds space on both sides of the upper arch after premature loss of primary teeth, helping permanent teeth erupt into the correct position.
Last updated June 2026 · Reviewed by the PracticeAlpha billing team
Use D1516 when you cement a single bilateral space maintainer in the maxillary arch. The appliance is fixed, meaning it is bonded or cemented and the patient cannot remove it, and it holds space on both sides of the upper arch. This is the bilateral upper arch code reported once for the whole appliance.
Common clinical scenarios: Premature loss of primary molars on both sides of the upper arch. Holding space so erupting permanent teeth come in correctly. Preventing the need for later orthodontic correction caused by space loss. A patient who needs a non removable appliance because compliance with a removable one is a concern.
Do NOT use D1516 for: A space maintainer on one side only of the upper arch (use D1510 for fixed unilateral). A removable bilateral maxillary appliance (use D1517). A bilateral appliance in the lower arch (use the mandibular bilateral code D1515). Recementation or repair of an existing maintainer (use the separate maintenance and repair codes).
Click any code to see the difference.
A single cemented appliance that holds space on both sides of the upper arch. Reported once for the whole bilateral appliance. Used when both sides of the maxilla need space held.
A fixed space maintainer for a single quadrant, reported per quadrant. Used when only one side needs space held, not both. One appliance, one side.
Billing tip: If both sides of the upper arch need a maintainer, D1516 is the single correct code. Do not report D1510 twice for each side of the same upper arch when one bilateral appliance is placed. Bilateral is one code, unilateral is per quadrant.
Payers want to see the reason a space maintainer is needed. The note and radiograph should show premature loss of primary teeth on both sides of the upper arch and that permanent successors have not yet erupted. Without that, the claim can be denied as not necessary. Document the missing teeth and the eruption status.
Many plans only cover space maintainers up to a certain age. Space maintainers are a pediatric preventive service in most plans. If the patient is past the plan age limit, the claim is denied even when clinically reasonable. Verify the age limit during eligibility before placing the appliance.
D1516 already covers both sides of the upper arch. Billing a unilateral code such as D1510 once for each side of the same arch, instead of the single bilateral code, is a coding error. The payer can deny the duplicate or reduce the claim. One bilateral appliance gets one D1516.
Plans often limit space maintainers to one per arch within a time window. If the patient already had a maxillary maintainer reported within that window, an additional one may be denied. Check the history and provide a narrative if a replacement is genuinely necessary.
Document premature loss of primary teeth on both sides of the upper arch and that the permanent successors have not yet erupted. This is the primary justification for the appliance.
Include an image that shows the missing primary teeth and the developing permanent teeth below. The radiograph supports the need to hold space until eruption.
Confirm the record states maxillary arch, fixed, and bilateral. This supports D1516 over the unilateral, removable, or mandibular alternatives so the code matches the appliance delivered.
Note the patient age and confirm the plan covers space maintainers at that age. Document that the age limit and frequency limits were verified before placement.
Record the placement date and the teeth involved. This supports the claim and provides a clear history if a later repair or replacement is needed.
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Learn about our billing servicesD1516 is the CDT code for a fixed bilateral space maintainer in the maxillary arch. It is cemented in place and holds space on both sides of the upper arch after premature loss of primary teeth.
D1516 is a fixed bilateral maxillary space maintainer that holds space on both sides of the upper arch. D1510 is a fixed unilateral space maintainer for a single quadrant. Bilateral means both sides, unilateral means one side.
D1516 is a fixed bilateral maxillary space maintainer that is cemented in place. D1517 is a removable bilateral maxillary space maintainer that the patient can take out. The difference is fixed versus removable.
D1516 is reported once for the bilateral maxillary appliance. It already covers both sides of the upper arch, so you do not report it twice or add a unilateral code for the second side.
Common reasons include missing documentation of premature tooth loss, age limitations, frequency limits on space maintainers, and reporting a unilateral code on each side instead of the single bilateral code.
D1516 covers the initial placement of the bilateral maxillary appliance. Later recementation or repair is reported with the separate maintenance and repair codes for space maintainers, not by billing D1516 again.
Search all 206 CDT codes in our dental coding guide.