D0272 is the CDT code for two bitewing radiographic images — a small set of X-rays showing the crowns of the upper and lower posterior teeth to check for interproximal decay and assess bone levels. It is one of the most common imaging codes paired with a recall or checkup visit.
Informational only — confirm the official CDT descriptor and your payers' rules independently. This is general guidance, not billing, coding, or clinical advice.
When to Use the D0272 Code
Use D0272 when exactly two bitewing images are taken — typically one on each side, capturing the posterior contacts in both arches. It's a frequent choice for routine recall on patients whose decay risk and arch size are well served by two films.
Match the code to the image count. One bitewing is D0270, four bitewings is D0274, and seven or eight vertical bitewings is D0277. Billing D0272 when four films were actually taken (or padding two films up to D0274) is a frequent error. Bitewings are also not periapicals: D0220/D0230 show the whole tooth and root, while bitewings show only the crowns. Use the code that matches what was exposed.
Documentation & Clinical Scenarios
The record should support the image count and the diagnostic purpose:
- Number of images — two, matching the D0272 code.
- Diagnostic reason — caries detection on interproximal surfaces and bone-level assessment.
- Interpretation — a brief note of findings, not just that films were taken.
- The provider and date.
What's billed separately: the evaluation that day (a periodic exam, D0120), the cleaning (D1110), and any restorative work each carry their own codes. D0272 covers only the two bitewing images.
Insurance & Billing Tips
- Know the frequency limit. Many plans cover bitewings once or twice per benefit year; a set taken too soon after the last is commonly denied.
- Bill the actual count. Report D0272 only when two images were taken; use D0274 for four. Mismatched counts can trigger down-coding or denial.
- Watch annual radiograph maximums. Some plans cap total imaging per year across all radiograph codes, not just bitewings.
- Don't combine overlapping codes. D0272 and D0274 for the same posterior survey on the same day are not both payable.
- Track dependent histories. For families, verify each patient's own bitewing history so you time the next set within the benefit.
Example Case
An established adult comes in for a six-month recall. The hygienist takes two bitewings — one per side — and the dentist reviews them, finding no new interproximal decay. The visit is coded D0272 for the two images, D0120 for the periodic evaluation, and D1110 for the cleaning, each on its own line. Because the office confirmed the patient was due for bitewings under their plan's frequency limit, the imaging claim processes without a hitch.
Patients call to "book my cleaning" or ask if X-rays are included — not D0272. DentalReception AI answers and books those recall calls 24/7, captures insurance details, and routes clinical and billing questions to your team. See how it handles dental X-ray calls, or book a demo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between D0272 and D0274?
D0272 is two bitewing images; D0274 is four. Report the code that matches the number of films actually exposed — two per side is usually D0274, while D0272 is the smaller two-image set. Billing the wrong count is a common error that leads to down-coding or denial.
How often will insurance cover bitewings?
Most plans cover bitewings once or twice per benefit year, and some apply an annual maximum across all radiograph codes. A set taken sooner than the limit allows is commonly denied, so tracking each patient's bitewing history — and verifying frequency before the visit — keeps the claim clean.
Are bitewings the same as periapical X-rays?
No. Bitewings (D0272/D0274) show only the crowns of the upper and lower posterior teeth, which is ideal for spotting interproximal decay. Periapicals — D0220 and D0230 — show the entire tooth including the root tip. They serve different diagnostic purposes and are billed under separate codes.
Can D0272 be billed with an exam and cleaning on the same day?
Yes. The two bitewings (D0272), the periodic evaluation (D0120), and the cleaning (D1110) are separate procedures reported under their own codes on the same date. Just confirm the bitewings fall within the plan's frequency limit, and document the image count and findings to support the claim.
Confirm the current CDT descriptor and your specific payer policies before billing — browse the full dental code library or see our insurance verification feature.