M26.24 classifies reverse articulation — a dental arch relationship anomaly in which the normal occlusal relationship is reversed, including anterior and posterior crossbite.
Verified May 8, 2026 · 5 sources ↓
- Status
- Billable
- Chapter
- 13
- Related CPT
- 10
- Region
- Other
Documentation tips
What should appear in the chart to support M26.24.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in 5 cited references ↓
- Specify whether the crossbite is anterior, posterior, or both — though all map to M26.24, documentation supports medical necessity for orthodontic or surgical planning.
- Record which teeth or dental segments are affected (e.g., teeth #6–#11 for anterior crossbite) to substantiate the clinical picture for preauthorization and audit purposes.
- Document the functional impact where present — speech difficulty, chewing dysfunction, or temporomandibular joint stress — to support medical necessity over cosmetic classification.
- If an Angle's class malocclusion coexists, document the class (I, II, or III) separately so M26.211–M26.219 can be coded alongside M26.24 when both are clinically present.
- Note any prior orthodontic or orthopedic treatment attempts when coding for surgical correction, as payers frequently require evidence of failed conservative management.
Related CPT procedures
Procedure codes commonly billed with M26.24. Linking the right diagnosis to the right procedure is what establishes medical necessity.
Source · CMS LCDs · AAOS specialty guidance · claims-pattern analysis
Common coding pitfalls
The recurring mistakes coders make with M26.24 and adjacent codes.
Source · Editorial brief grounded in CDC ICD-10-CM tabular guidance, AAOS coding references, and cited references ↓
- Assigning M26.20 (unspecified anomaly of dental arch relationship) when the record clearly documents crossbite — M26.24 is the specific billable code and should be used whenever crossbite is documented.
- Confusing anterior crossbite with Angle's class III malocclusion (M26.213): anterior crossbite is a tooth-level positional finding; Angle's class III is a skeletal-dental relationship classification. Both may coexist and may both be coded.
- Omitting M26.24 when the primary claim is a jaw osteotomy — crossbite or reverse articulation is frequently the documented indication driving surgical intervention and must appear on the claim.
- Applying a 7th-character extension to M26.24 — M-codes in this section do not use 7th-character extensions; adding one creates an invalid code.
Clinical context
Source · Editorial summary grounded in 5 cited references ↓
M26.24 captures reverse articulation of the teeth, with the ICD-10-CM tabular explicitly including crossbite (anterior) and crossbite (posterior) as covered conditions under this single code. The term 'reverse articulation' refers to an abnormal occlusal relationship where one or more mandibular teeth occlude labially or buccally to the opposing maxillary teeth — the inverse of the standard overjet relationship. Both anterior crossbite (front teeth) and posterior crossbite (back teeth) map to this same code; there is no separate laterality or segment-specific subdivision within M26.24.
This code sits within the M26.2 parent block (anomalies of dental arch relationship) under the broader dentofacial anomalies section M26–M27. It is primarily used in oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontic, and dental practice settings, but may appear on orthopedic or craniofacial surgery claims when jaw realignment procedures are performed. Coders supporting oral-maxillofacial surgical cases should confirm whether a concurrent Angle's class malocclusion (M26.211–M26.219) or other arch relationship anomaly warrants an additional code from the M26.2 block.
For MS-DRG grouping, M26.24 maps to DRGs 011–013 (tracheostomy for face, mouth, and neck diagnoses) and DRGs 157–159 (dental and oral diseases), with CC/MCC splits driving the specific DRG assignment. No 7th-character extension applies to this M-code.
Inclusion & exclusion notes
Per the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List.
Source · CDC ICD-10-CM Official Tabular List · 2026
Includes
- Crossbite (anterior) (posterior)
Sibling codes
Other billable codes under M26.2 (laterality / anatomic variants).
Frequently asked questions
Source · Generated from the editorial pipeline, verified against 5 cited references ↓
01Does M26.24 cover both anterior and posterior crossbite?
02Can M26.24 and M26.213 (Angle's class III) be coded together?
03Is M26.24 appropriate for an orthopedic coder, or is it dental-only?
04What MS-DRGs does M26.24 group to?
05Should I use M26.20 if the documentation just says 'crossbite' without specifying anterior or posterior?
06Does M26.24 require a 7th character?
07How does reverse articulation differ from excessive horizontal overlap (M26.23)?
Sources & references
Editorial content was developed using the following public sources. Last verified May 8, 2026.
- 01CDC ICD-10-CM Tabular List 2026 (effective Oct 1, 2025)
- 02icd10data.comhttps://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/M00-M99/M26-M27/M26-/M26.24
- 03aapc.comhttps://www.aapc.com/codes/icd-10-codes/M26.24
- 04icd10coded.comhttps://icd10coded.com/cm/M26.24/
- 05cms.govhttps://www.cms.gov/medicare/coordination-benefits-recovery/overview/icd-code-lists
Mira AI Scribe
Mira AI Scribe captures the type of crossbite (anterior, posterior, or both), the specific teeth or segments involved, any functional complaints (chewing difficulty, speech impact, TMJ symptoms), and prior treatment history. This documentation prevents downcoding to the unspecified M26.20, satisfies payer medical necessity requirements distinguishing functional from cosmetic indications, and supports concurrent coding of a coexisting Angle's class malocclusion when present.
See how Mira captures M26.24 documentation