Treatment of peri-implantitis (036)

Number: 036
(Updated)

Subject: Treatment of peri-implantitis

Date: November 5, 2021

Important note

This Clinical Policy Bulletin expresses Aetna's determination of whether certain services or supplies are medically necessary, experimental and investigational, or cosmetic. Aetna has reached these conclusions based upon a review of currently available clinical information (including clinical outcome studies in the peer-reviewed published medical literature, regulatory status of the technology, evidence-based guidelines of public health and health research agencies, evidence-based guidelines and positions of leading national health professional organizations, views of physicians practicing in relevant clinical areas, and other relevant factors).

Aetna makes no representations and accepts no liability with respect to the content of any external information cited or relied upon in this Bulletin. The discussion, analysis, conclusions and positions reflected in this Bulletin, including any reference to a specific provider, product, process or service by name, trademark, manufacturer, constitute Aetna’s opinion and are made without any intent to defame.

Aetna expressly reserves the right to revise these conclusions as clinical information changes, and welcomes further relevant information including correction of any factual error. CPBs include references to standard HIPAA compliant code sets to assist with search functions and to facilitate billing and payment for covered services. New and revised codes are added to the CPBs as they are updated. When billing, you must use the most appropriate code as of the effective date of the submission. Unlisted, unspecified and nonspecific codes should be avoided.

Each benefit plan defines which services are covered, which are excluded, and which are subject to dollar caps or other limits. Members and their providers will need to consult the member's benefit plan to determine if there are any exclusions or other benefit limitations applicable to this service or supply.

The conclusion that a particular service or supply is medically necessary does not constitute a representation or warranty that this service or supply is covered (for example, will be paid for by Aetna) for a particular member. The member's benefit plan determines coverage. Some plans exclude coverage for services or supplies that Aetna considers medically necessary. If there is a discrepancy between this policy and a member's plan of benefits, the benefits plan will govern. In addition, coverage may be mandated by applicable legal requirements of a State, the Federal government or CMS for Medicare and Medicaid members.

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Policy

Despite large numbers of publications available regarding peri-implantitis treatments, there are no long term studies which indicate that the uses of osseous contouring, placement of barriers or bone grafts are superior to flap reflection with debridement. Therefore, Aetna considers flap reflection with debridement as the accepted clinical protocol for peri-implantitis treatment.

Background

Peri-implantitis is defined as an inflammatory process affecting the tissues around an osseointergrated implant in function resulting in loss of supporting bone. Clinical signs are deep probing depth (> 5 mm) bleeding and/or suppuration on probing. Loss of supporting bone usually forms a circumferential crater defect. Large scale studies detected peri-implantitis in 12% of implants in function for at least 5 years and 43% of implants in function for 9-14 years. Biofilms consist predominately of gram negative anaerobes and are similar to those found in chronic periodontits, but bone loss is more rapid in peri-implantitis. Risk factors include poor oral hygiene, smoking, diabetes and a history of chronic periodontitis.

Codes

D6101 – Debridement of a peri-implant defect and surface cleaning of exposed implant surfaces, including flap entry and closure

D6102 – Debridement and osseous contouring of a peri-implant defect; includes surface cleaning of exposed implant surfaces and flap entry and closure

D6103 – Bone graft for repair of peri-implant defect - not including flap entry and closure or, when indicated, placement of a barrier membrane or biologic materials to aid in osseous regeneration

D6104 – Bone graft at time of implant placement

D6081 – Scaling and debridement in the presence of inflammation or mucositis of a single implant, including cleaning of the implant surfaces, without flap entry and closure.  This procedure is not performed in conjunction with D1110 or D4910.

Revision dates

Original policy: September 10, 2012
Update: September 23, 2013; July 23 , 2014; August 25, 2015; October 20, 2016; November 13, 2017; October 17, 2019; October 21, 2020; November 5, 2021

The above policy is based on the following references:

American Dental Association. CDT 2021 Dental Procedure Codes. 

Copyright 2021 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.

Elangovan, S. Complete regeneration of peri-implantitis–induced bony defects using guided bone regeneration is unpredictable. J Am Dent Assoc. 2013 Jul;144(7):823-4.

Property of Aetna. All rights reserved. Dental Clinical Policy Bulletins are developed by Aetna to assist in administering plan benefits and constitute neither offers of coverage nor medical/dental advice. This Dental Clinical Policy Bulletin contains only a partial, general description of plan or program benefits and does not constitute a contract. Aetna does not provide health care services and, therefore, cannot guarantee any results or outcomes. Participating health care professionals are independent contractors in private practice and are neither employees nor agents of Aetna or its affiliates. Treating health care professionals are solely responsible for medical/dental advice and treatment of members. This Clinical Policy Bulletin may be updated and therefore is subject to change.