D6068 is the CDT code for an abutment supported retainer for a porcelain fused to predominantly base metal fixed partial denture. It describes one of the crown-like anchor units of an implant-supported bridge, where the retainer is attached to an implant abutment rather than to a natural tooth preparation. D6068 covers only the retainer itself; the abutment and any pontic units are billed separately.
Get help with D6068 claims →Last updated June 2026 · Reviewed by the PracticeAlpha billing team
D6068 is the correct code when an implant-supported fixed bridge uses a porcelain fused to predominantly base metal retainer crown as one of its abutment connections. Each abutment-supported retainer in the bridge is billed as a separate D6068. A three-unit bridge with two retainers generates two D6068 charges.
This code is specific to the implant category and applies only when the retainer attaches to an implant abutment. Retainers on natural teeth use tooth-supported FPD codes in the D6700 series. The presence of an osseointegrated implant at the abutment position is required for D6068 to apply.
D6068 specifies porcelain fused to predominantly base metal. If the retainer uses a high-noble or noble metal alloy substructure, different codes apply. Verify the material used with the laboratory before selecting the code, and keep the lab ticket in the record.
Many dental plans do not cover implant-supported fixed restorations. D6068 will be denied if the patient's plan explicitly excludes implant prosthodontics. Benefit verification before treatment and a written estimate for the patient are standard practice.
D6068 covers only the retainer crown. If the abutment is not also billed on the claim, the payer may question the claim or deny it for incomplete component coding. Ensure that each abutment position has its corresponding abutment code alongside the D6068.
The payer needs to confirm the implant is osseointegrated and functional before paying for the prosthetic component. A periapical radiograph of each implant abutment position taken near the time of final impression is required documentation.
D6068 is a retainer in a multi-unit FPD, not a standalone crown. Using a single-crown implant code for a retainer that is actually part of a bridge can result in denial or a request for supporting information showing the bridge design.
Record each implant's tooth position and placement date. Include a periapical radiograph confirming osseointegration at the time of final impression.
Document the complete FPD design showing which teeth are retainers (abutment-supported) and which are pontics. This allows the payer to verify that D6068 is correctly applied to a retainer, not a pontic position.
Identify the specific abutment used at each implant position and confirm that the abutment code is included on the claim alongside D6068.
Keep the laboratory prescription or invoice showing the specific metal alloy and porcelain used. Confirm the alloy is predominantly base metal to support D6068 rather than a different material-based code.
Implant bridge claims with multiple components across multiple visits are easy to under-code. We make sure every unit gets submitted correctly.
Learn about our billing servicesD6068 is the CDT code for an abutment supported retainer for a porcelain fused to predominantly base metal fixed partial denture. It represents one retainer unit in an implant-supported bridge where the retainer is attached to an implant abutment.
D6065 is a single implant-supported crown for a porcelain fused to predominantly base metal restoration. D6068 is a retainer that is part of a multi-unit fixed partial denture. The difference is single-unit versus FPD retainer.
D6068 is billed per retainer. Each implant abutment position in the bridge that has a retainer crown is billed as a separate D6068. Pontic units are billed with the appropriate pontic codes.
No. D6068 covers only the retainer crown. The abutment is a separate component billed with the appropriate abutment code. Both codes should appear on the claim for the payer to understand the complete restoration.
Common reasons: plan exclusion for implant prosthodontics, missing abutment codes, no radiographic evidence of osseointegration, or the retainer coded as a single crown rather than as part of an FPD.
Implant position, placement date, periapical radiograph confirming osseointegration, full bridge design showing retainer and pontic positions, abutment type and code, and lab ticket confirming the base metal alloy used.
Search all CDT codes in our dental coding guide.