D8080 is the CDT code for comprehensive orthodontic treatment of the adolescent dentition. It covers a full course of orthodontic care for patients in the adolescent growth phase, where most or all permanent teeth have erupted but craniofacial development is still active. This is the most frequently billed comprehensive orthodontic code in general and specialty practices serving teen patients.
Last updated June 2026 · Reviewed by the PracticeAlpha billing team
Get help with D8080 claims →Use D8080 when providing comprehensive orthodontic treatment for a patient in the adolescent dentition phase. This means the patient has transitioned out of the mixed dentition (most or all primary teeth replaced) but is still in an active growth phase. The code applies to a full course of orthodontic treatment, not individual adjustments.
Typical clinical scenario: A 12 to 17-year-old patient with malocclusion who presents for fixed appliance therapy (traditional braces or clear aligners) encompassing the full arch. The patient has a full set of permanent teeth, or is very close to it, and cephalometric analysis confirms active craniofacial growth. Treatment planning includes records (photos, radiographs, study models or digital scans) and a formal diagnosis.
Do NOT use D8080 for: Adult patients whose craniofacial growth is complete (use D8090). Patients still in the mixed dentition with primary teeth present (use D8070). Limited orthodontic treatment addressing a single issue (use D8010-D8040 range). Individual adjustment visits (use D8670). Retention appliances placed after orthodontic treatment (use D8680 for removal/replacement of retainers).
Most dental plans that include orthodontic benefits cap coverage at a specific age, commonly 18 or 19. If the patient ages out during treatment, the plan may stop paying on future installments. Verify the plan's orthodontic age cutoff at the start of treatment and document it in the file. Inform the patient upfront about any potential gap in coverage if treatment extends beyond the cutoff.
Orthodontic benefits typically carry a separate lifetime maximum, and some patients have already used part or all of it from prior treatment. A patient who had limited orthodontic treatment as a child under D8070 or D8060 may have depleted the benefit. Always run an orthodontic benefits check before starting treatment. If there is a prior benefit history, document how much remains.
Many plans require prior authorization for comprehensive orthodontic treatment before appliances are placed. Submitting without it, or placing appliances before the auth is approved, can result in denial of the entire case. Submit the pre-auth with full orthodontic records: panoramic and cephalometric radiographs, intraoral and extraoral photos, and a diagnostic summary. Allow adequate processing time before scheduling the banding appointment.
Plans reviewing D8080 claims expect a complete orthodontic records submission. Missing a cephalometric radiograph, not including photos, or submitting records without a diagnosis and treatment plan narrative are common triggers for additional information requests or outright denials. Include all standard orthodontic records at the time of pre-auth or claim submission.
Some plans define "adolescent" by age rather than dentition stage. A 19-year-old still in active growth may be classified as an adult under the plan, shifting the applicable code to D8090 and potentially changing coverage. Know how each plan defines the boundary before submitting.
A current panoramic x-ray showing the full dentition, root structure, and eruption status. Required for most pre-authorization submissions and claim reviews.
A lateral ceph confirming craniofacial growth status and supporting the diagnosis. Most plans require this for comprehensive orthodontic benefits.
Full photographic records showing the patient's occlusion, profile, and smile. These support the clinical diagnosis and help reviewers verify the need for treatment.
Pre-treatment models or intraoral scan files documenting the starting occlusion. Many plans require these as part of the orthodontic records package.
A written summary of the orthodontic diagnosis, the malocclusion classification, and the proposed treatment approach. Specificity helps: state the Angle classification, any skeletal discrepancies, and the planned treatment mechanics.
Document the auth number and approval date in the patient record. Include the auth number on the claim form. Keep a copy of the approval letter in the file.
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Learn about our billing servicesD8080 is the CDT code for comprehensive orthodontic treatment of the adolescent dentition. It covers a full course of orthodontic care for patients in the adolescent growth phase, where most or all primary teeth have been replaced by permanent teeth and craniofacial development is still active.
D8080 is for adolescent patients in active growth. D8090 is for adults whose growth is complete. The distinction is based on the patient's growth and dentition status, not age alone, though most plans also use an age cutoff to define the boundary.
D8070 covers comprehensive orthodontic treatment for patients in the transitional (mixed) dentition, where primary and permanent teeth coexist. D8080 applies once the patient is fully or nearly fully in the permanent dentition. Each represents a distinct phase of development.
Many dental plans include an orthodontic lifetime maximum that applies to D8080. Coverage depends on the patient's specific plan, whether an orthodontic rider is included, the patient's age, and whether prior authorization was obtained. Always verify orthodontic benefits before starting treatment.
Common reasons include the patient exceeding the plan's age limit, the lifetime orthodontic maximum being exhausted from prior treatment, missing prior authorization, insufficient orthodontic records (no ceph, no photos), or the patient being classified as an adult under the plan's definition.
D8080 covers the full course of comprehensive treatment as a single case. It is typically billed as a banding fee at the start of treatment. Individual adjustment appointments are billed separately using D8670. Retention appliances placed after treatment use different codes such as D8680.
Search all 206 CDT codes in our dental coding guide.