Dental insurance & CDT coding
Updated September 1, 2026 to reflect current CDT codes for occlusal guards and remove outdated coding information.
If you're looking for the dental insurance code for a night guard, there isn't just one. The current CDT code depends primarily on whether the occlusal guard is classified as hard or soft and whether it covers a full or partial arch.
The principal current CDT codes for fabrication of occlusal guards are D9944 for a hard full-arch appliance, D9945 for a soft full-arch appliance, and D9946 for a hard partial-arch appliance. The older D9940 code was replaced in 2019. A procedure code identifies a service or appliance type; it does not guarantee that your insurance plan will cover or reimburse it.
What is the dental code for a night guard?
The American Dental Association maintains the Current Dental Terminology, or CDT, code set used to report dental procedures and services.
For occlusal guards, the three primary fabrication codes currently used are:
Used for a hard appliance covering the full dental arch.
Used for a soft appliance covering the full dental arch.
Used for a hard appliance that covers only part of the dental arch.
Night guard CDT codes at a glance
| CDT code | General category | What distinguishes it |
|---|---|---|
| D9944 | Hard occlusal guard | Hard appliance with full-arch coverage |
| D9945 | Soft occlusal guard | Soft appliance with full-arch coverage |
| D9946 | Hard occlusal guard | Hard appliance with partial-arch coverage |
Is D9940 still the code for a night guard?
No.
D9940 was the older general code used for an occlusal guard. It was deleted from the CDT code set effective in 2019 and replaced by more specific codes that distinguish the appliance by material characteristics and arch coverage.
Those replacement codes are D9944, D9945 and D9946.
What is D9941?
D9941 is sometimes confused with the night guard codes because it appears nearby in the CDT code set.
However, D9941 is associated with fabrication of an athletic mouthguard. It is not the current code for a hard partial-arch bruxism guard.
The current code for a hard partial-arch occlusal guard is D9946.
A common question
What code is used for a hard + soft hybrid night guard?
Some night guards contain both a softer component and a harder component. That can make the D9944-versus-D9945 distinction less obvious.
ADA coding guidance explains that for an occlusal guard containing both hard and soft components, the key distinction is the material at the occlusal surface.
When the appliance has a hard occlusal component, the ADA guidance treats it as a hard appliance for reporting purposes. For a full-arch appliance, that generally points to D9944.
Coding should still reflect the actual appliance and service being reported, and the dentist or insurer handling the claim should confirm the appropriate code.
Does having the correct CDT code mean insurance will pay for the night guard?
No.
A CDT code identifies the dental procedure or service being reported. It does not determine whether a particular dental plan covers that service.
Coverage can depend on factors such as:
- Your individual dental plan
- Whether occlusal guards are a covered benefit
- Frequency limitations
- Deductibles and annual maximums
- Provider-network requirements
- Documentation or preauthorization requirements
- The reason the appliance is being provided
- Whether a direct-to-consumer purchase is eligible for reimbursement under the plan
Insurance companies can also establish their own clinical and administrative requirements around a covered CDT code.
For the broader coverage question, see our guide to dental insurance coverage for night guards .
Can I use a CDT code for a night guard purchased online?
This is where it's important to separate the classification of an appliance from the rules of an insurance claim.
A night guard may fit the description of a particular CDT category, but that does not mean every dental insurer will reimburse a direct-to-consumer purchase under that code.
Some plans may require additional documentation or may require that the reported service be provided by a licensed dental provider. Others may handle reimbursement differently.
Before purchasing specifically for dental-insurance reimbursement, contact the insurer and ask about the requirements of your individual plan.
What should I ask my dental insurance company?
Don't assume coverage simply because a CDT code exists.
This can be different from coverage for an appliance provided through a dental office.
Ask whether the insurer requires an itemized invoice, clinical documentation, radiographs, a narrative, prescription, predetermination or another form.
Some plans may limit how often a covered appliance can be replaced.
A covered benefit can still be subject to a deductible, coinsurance, annual maximum or plan allowance.
Don't confuse two different benefits
Dental insurance vs. HSA/FSA funds
Dental insurance reimbursement and paying with tax-advantaged HSA or FSA funds are separate questions.
A dental plan may decline to reimburse a purchase even when the expense qualifies under an HSA or FSA arrangement, and vice versa.
If you're primarily trying to use HSA or FSA funds for a night guard, see: Are Night Guards HSA/FSA Eligible? How to Pay With HSA or FSA Funds →
Other CDT codes related to occlusal guards
D9944 through D9946 are the principal codes for fabrication of the guard itself, but you may encounter other codes related to an existing appliance.
| Code | General purpose |
|---|---|
| D9936 | Cleaning and inspection of an existing occlusal guard |
| D9942 | Repair or reline of an occlusal guard |
| D9943 | Adjustment of an occlusal guard |
| D9944 | Hard full-arch guard fabrication |
| D9945 | Soft full-arch guard fabrication |
| D9946 | Hard partial-arch guard fabrication |
D9936 is a newer code effective for 2026 and relates specifically to cleaning and inspecting an existing guard rather than fabricating a new one.
Why can different insurers treat the same CDT code differently?
CDT is a standardized dental procedure code set. Insurance coverage is a separate contractual issue.
One insurer might cover an occlusal guard subject to its plan rules, while another might exclude it, limit its frequency or require additional documentation.
Even within the same insurance company, benefits can differ from one employer or plan to another.
That's why a statement such as “D9944 is covered by dental insurance” would be misleading. The accurate statement is that D9944 identifies a particular type of occlusal-guard procedure; your plan determines whether that procedure is a covered benefit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the dental code for a night guard?
The current fabrication code depends on the appliance. D9944 applies to a hard full-arch occlusal guard, D9945 to a soft full-arch guard, and D9946 to a hard partial-arch guard.
Is D9940 still valid?
D9940 was deleted from the CDT code set in 2019 and replaced by the more specific D9944, D9945 and D9946 occlusal-guard codes.
Is D9941 a night guard code?
D9941 is associated with fabrication of an athletic mouthguard. It is not the current code for a hard partial-arch occlusal night guard.
What is code D9944?
D9944 identifies fabrication of a hard full-arch occlusal guard.
What is code D9945?
D9945 identifies fabrication of a soft full-arch occlusal guard.
What is code D9946?
D9946 identifies fabrication of a hard partial-arch occlusal guard.
What code applies to a hard-and-soft hybrid guard?
ADA guidance indicates that a combination appliance with a hard occlusal component is reported as a hard appliance. For a full-arch guard, that generally corresponds to D9944. The professional or insurer handling the claim should confirm coding for the specific appliance and service.
Does using D9944, D9945 or D9946 guarantee coverage?
No. CDT coding identifies the procedure being reported. Whether your plan covers that procedure—and under what conditions—is determined by the insurance policy.
Can an online night guard be reimbursed by dental insurance?
Possibly, depending on the plan. Ask your insurer specifically whether it reimburses direct-to-consumer or outside-laboratory appliances and what provider and documentation requirements apply.
The bottom line
If you're looking for the current dental code for an occlusal night guard, remember:
- D9944 — hard, full arch
- D9945 — soft, full arch
- D9946 — hard, partial arch
D9940 is an obsolete code, and D9941 refers to an athletic mouthguard.
Most importantly, having the correct CDT code does not itself create insurance coverage. Always confirm the requirements of your individual dental plan before assuming that a night guard—or a direct-to-consumer purchase—will be reimbursed.
Sources & coding references
- American Dental Association, CDT 2026 and CDT-to-ICD-10-CM coding guidance.
- American Dental Association guidance on documenting occlusal guards with hard and soft components.
- American Dental Association, 2019 CDT code changes for occlusal guards.
- UnitedHealthcare Dental, 2026 Occlusal Guards Clinical Policy.
CDT codes are maintained by the American Dental Association and may be revised over time. This article is educational and is not a guarantee of insurance coverage or reimbursement. Coding and claim requirements should be confirmed with the dental professional and insurance plan involved in the claim.