Microabrasion

Microabrasion is a conservative enamel treatment that addresses superficial staining, white spot lesions, fluorosis discoloration, and other surface-level defects by applying a mixture of hydrochloric acid and fine abrasive particles to the affected tooth surface. The technique removes only a thin layer of enamel, typically less than 200 micrometers, making it one of the least invasive options for improving the appearance of discolored teeth. It is commonly performed in general dental practices and is often considered before more aggressive cosmetic options such as veneers or crowns.

In practice, revenue cycle teams find that microabrasion occupies a challenging billing category. Most dental insurance plans classify this procedure as cosmetic and exclude it from covered benefits. Practices must verify coverage before treatment and clearly communicate to patients that they will likely be responsible for the full fee. The CDT code set includes a specific code for microabrasion, and using the correct code is important for maintaining compliance and accurate production reporting. Billing this procedure under an incorrect code, such as a prophylaxis or preventive code, constitutes improper coding and can trigger audit flags.

Offices that regularly perform microabrasion should include it in their cosmetic services fee schedule and have a financial agreement template that patients sign acknowledging the elective nature of the treatment. For practices tracking case acceptance rates, presenting microabrasion alongside more complete cosmetic options gives patients a range of price points. Proper documentation should include pre-operative photographs, the type and concentration of abrasive compound used, the number of applications, and post-operative results, as this supports clinical records and can be useful if the patient later pursues additional cosmetic treatment.