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Last-minute staff absences create billing complications. Your front desk needs clarity on when to use dental code D2740, and your hygienists need to understand the clinical scenarios that trigger this code. This article clarifies when and how D2740 is used so your team can document and bill accurately.
Oct 25, 2025
What is Dental Code D2740?
D2740 is the CDT code for "crown – resin-based composite (indirect)." This code applies to a laboratory-fabricated, indirect resin restoration that covers the entire coronal surface of a tooth. The restoration is made outside the mouth, then cemented or bonded into place during a separate appointment.
Common Terminology
Offices and hygienists often refer to D2740 restorations using different terms. You might hear "composite crown," "indirect composite crown," or "lab-fabricated composite restoration." All describe the same procedure: a full-coverage restoration made from resin composite material that's fabricated in a laboratory rather than placed directly in the mouth.
When is D2740 Used?
D2740 applies when a tooth requires full-coverage restoration but clinical or financial factors make a traditional crown less practical. Dentists choose this code when the tooth structure supports an indirect composite restoration and the patient wants a more affordable alternative to porcelain or metal crowns.
Common Clinical Scenarios
Extensive decay or large existing restorations: When a tooth has significant structural compromise but enough remaining tooth structure to support a resin crown
Fractured or cracked teeth: Cases where the tooth needs full coverage to prevent further damage but doesn't require the strength of a porcelain-fused-to-metal or all-ceramic restoration
Esthetic zones with budget constraints: Anterior or premolar teeth where patients want a tooth-colored restoration but can't afford porcelain crowns
Adolescent patients: Young patients with developing dentition who need temporary full coverage until they're candidates for permanent restorations
Medical conditions: Patients with bruxism or clenching habits where a more resilient material might actually perform better than brittle ceramic
When D2740 is NOT Appropriate
Direct composite buildups: If you're placing the restoration directly in the mouth during a single visit, use D2330-D2394 codes instead
Porcelain or ceramic crowns: Full-coverage restorations made from porcelain, ceramic, or porcelain-fused-to-metal materials require different codes (D2740-D2799 series)
Metal crowns: Gold or other metal crowns use D2790-D2794 codes
Onlays or three-quarter crowns: Partial-coverage restorations require different codes based on the number of surfaces covered
Temporary crowns: Use D2799 for provisional crowns placed while the permanent restoration is being fabricated
Billing and Insurance Considerations
Insurance carriers treat D2740 differently than traditional crown codes, and documentation standards vary widely. Your front desk needs to understand these requirements before submitting claims, and your clinical team needs to know what documentation supports the procedure.
Documentation Requirements
Clinical notes should justify why an indirect composite crown is the appropriate treatment. Document the extent of decay or damage, the amount of remaining tooth structure, and any clinical factors that make D2740 preferable to other restoration options. Notes should clearly state that the restoration was laboratory-fabricated, not placed directly.
Radiographic documentation strengthens your claim. Pre-operative radiographs showing the extent of decay or structural damage help establish medical necessity. Post-operative radiographs confirm proper fit and margins. While not all carriers require radiographs for D2740, having them available prevents claim delays.
Insurance Coverage
Many insurance plans cover D2740 at the same percentage as other crowns, typically 50% after the deductible. Some carriers classify indirect composite crowns as "alternative benefits" and reimburse at a lower rate than porcelain or metal crowns. Check your patient's specific plan before treatment.
Waiting periods for major services apply to D2740. If your patient recently changed insurance or hasn't met their plan's waiting period for crowns, the claim will be denied regardless of medical necessity. Verify benefits before starting treatment.
Frequency limitations restrict how often carriers pay for crowns on the same tooth. Most plans limit crown replacement to once every five to seven years unless the tooth experiences new trauma or decay. Document any new clinical findings that justify early replacement.
Common billing mistakes:
Using D2740 for direct composite restorations: The most frequent error is billing D2740 when the restoration was placed directly in one appointment
Inadequate documentation: Submitting claims without clinical notes explaining why the tooth needed full coverage
Missing lab invoices: Failing to provide proof that the restoration was laboratory-fabricated when carriers request additional documentation
Billing temporary and permanent crowns incorrectly: Using D2740 for the temporary crown instead of D2799
Frequency violations: Billing D2740 on a tooth that had a crown placed within the carrier's limitation period
Common Questions
How often can D2740 be billed?
You can bill D2740 once per tooth per appointment. Insurance carriers typically limit crown coverage to once every five to seven years per tooth, but you can bill the procedure more frequently if a documented clinical need exists. New decay under an existing crown or trauma that damages the restoration justifies early replacement.
What's the difference between D2740 and direct composite codes?
D2740 covers laboratory-fabricated restorations requiring two appointments. Direct composite restorations placed in a single visit use D2330-D2394 codes. The key difference is the fabrication method, not the material.
Do all insurance plans cover D2740?
Most plans cover D2740, but coverage levels vary. Some carriers reimburse at the same rate as porcelain crowns, while others consider it an alternative benefit and pay less. A few plans exclude indirect composite crowns entirely. Always verify benefits before treatment.
Can I bill D2740 and a core buildup on the same day?
Yes, you can bill D2950 (core buildup) on the same date as crown preparation for D2740, provided the buildup is necessary to retain the crown. Document that the tooth lacked sufficient structure without the buildup.
What documentation prevents claim denials?
Clinical notes explaining why the tooth needs full coverage, radiographs showing the extent of damage, and lab invoices proving the restoration was fabricated indirectly prevent most denials. Include tooth number, surfaces involved, and fabrication method in your notes.
Is there a waiting period between D2740 procedures on different teeth?
No, carriers don't impose waiting periods between crowns on different teeth. Frequency limitations only apply to the same tooth. You can place multiple D2740 restorations during the same treatment plan on different teeth.
Keep Your Team Focused on Patient Care, Not Billing Confusion
Staffing gaps create billing errors. When your temporary hygienist doesn't know the difference between D2740 and direct composite codes, your practice loses revenue. Teero connects you with experienced dental hygienists who understand clinical documentation and proper code usage. Fill your shifts with professionals who know your practice management software and billing requirements. Sign up for Teero to keep your schedule full and your billing accurate.