Hi Karin!
No problem :)
It actually all depends on the actual service your dentist is rendering on what codes should be used. Medical coding can be very specific for different services.
So - for the x-rays - it depends on the type of equipment being used and the different "views" taken.
For the appliance being used to treat TMD:
What we are finding is that the code that is most commonly accepted by medical insurers currently for TMD appliances since the S8262 discontinuation last June is D7880. However, some insurers are accepting the other codes listed below as well:
D7880 - occlusal orthotic device, by report
D7899 - unspecified TMD therapy, by report
Or, if the medical insurer says they won’t process the “D” codes (most will these days, but you will run into a few that won’t), you can try:
E1399 - Durable medical equipment, miscellaneous
21299 - Unlisted craniofacial and maxillofacial procedure
21499 - Unlisted musculoskeletal procedure, head
A narrative report explaining the treatment accompanying the claim is recommended since they are all "by report", “unlisted”, or "miscellaneous" codes.
It may be best to look up the insurers medical policy for Temporomandibular disorders and check the coding section of the policy to see if a specific code they accept is listed. For example, Aetna's medical policy for Temporomandibular disorders lists D7880 as an accepted HCPCS code is criteria is met:
http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/1_99/0028.html Hope this helps!