Resources for dental offices
Billing for temporary crowns creates confusion in many dental practices. Offices struggle with documentation, insurance denials, and questions about when this code applies. Getting D2799 right matters for revenue and compliance. This article explains when to use D2799, what documentation you need, and how to avoid common billing mistakes.
Oct 24, 2025
What is Dental Code D2799?
D2799 covers provisional crowns: temporary restorations placed while a permanent crown is being fabricated. The American Dental Association (ADA) classifies this as a restorative procedure under the "Other Restorative Services" category. A provisional crown protects the prepared tooth, maintains spacing, and restores basic function until the permanent restoration is ready.
Dental professionals use several terms for D2799. The official ADA terminology is "provisional crown," though most practices say "temporary crown." You might also hear "interim crown" or "transitional crown" in some clinical settings. All these terms describe the same procedure, but your documentation should remain consistent with whichever term your practice chooses.
When is D2799 Used?
D2799 applies in specific situations where temporary coverage is medically necessary. Understanding these scenarios helps your team bill correctly and avoid denials. The following situations represent the most common uses of this code in daily practice:
Standard crown preparation: After preparing a tooth for a permanent crown, you place a provisional restoration. This protects the tooth structure and maintains aesthetics while the lab fabricates the final restoration. Most practices use this code for every crown preparation.
Bridge abutment preparation: When preparing teeth as bridge abutments, provisional crowns protect the prepared teeth. You bill D2799 for each abutment tooth requiring temporary coverage.
Failed temporary replacement: If a provisional crown fails before the permanent restoration is ready, replacing it requires a new D2799 claim. Document the failure and medical necessity for the replacement.
Extended fabrication periods: Complex cases requiring longer lab time may need provisional crown replacement. Bill D2799 for each new temporary if the original fails or if clinical circumstances require a new one.
Each of these scenarios requires proper documentation to support the claim. Your clinical notes should clearly indicate which situation applies and why the provisional crown is medically necessary. Without this information, insurance companies may deny your claim or request additional records.
D2799 does not apply in several situations. You cannot bill D2799 for temporary coverage during root canal therapy. That falls under endodontic codes. You also cannot use this code for temporary fillings between appointments, which require D2940 for sedative fillings. D2799 does not apply to long-term temporaries used as permanent restorations. If a patient chooses to keep a provisional crown indefinitely, you cannot bill it as temporary. This code also does not cover provisionals for implant restorations. Use D6085 for provisional implant crowns instead.
Billing and Insurance Considerations
Proper documentation protects your practice from audits and ensures appropriate reimbursement. Insurance companies review claims carefully, and missing information triggers denials. Your records must clearly demonstrate the medical necessity for the provisional crown and support your billing decision:
Date of crown preparation: Record when you prepared the tooth
Tooth number: Specify which tooth received the provisional
Material used: Document the type of temporary material
Condition of tooth structure: Note remaining structure and why temporary coverage is necessary
Expected delivery date: Include when the permanent restoration will be ready
Radiographic documentation should show the prepared tooth before provisional placement. This proves the clinical need for temporary coverage. If replacing a failed provisional, document what failed, when it failed, and why replacement is medically necessary. Insurance often questions multiple provisional crown claims for the same tooth.
Most dental insurance plans cover D2799, but coverage varies significantly. Plans typically cover 50-80% of the provisional crown fee under major restorative benefits, though some plans include it with the permanent crown fee and provide no separate reimbursement. Many insurance companies bundle D2799 with the permanent crown code, considering the provisional part of the crown preparation and paying one combined fee.
Check each plan's bundling rules before billing separately. Most plans cover one provisional per tooth per permanent crown. If you need to replace a failed temporary, document the medical necessity clearly, as insurance may deny the second claim without proper justification. Some plans require pre-authorization for provisional crowns on certain tooth numbers or in specific circumstances, so check requirements before the procedure.
Billing errors with D2799 cause denials and revenue loss. Understanding these mistakes helps your front desk team submit clean claims the first time. Watch for these common problems that trigger insurance denials and create extra work for your staff:
Billing without permanent crown codes: Insurance expects to see a permanent crown code (D2740-D2794) with D2799. Billing only the provisional raises red flags. Submit both codes together or note that the permanent crown will follow.
Incorrect tooth numbers: Mismatched tooth numbers between provisional and permanent crown codes trigger denials. Verify tooth numbers match on all claims.
Multiple provisionals without documentation: Billing D2799 twice for the same tooth requires detailed documentation. Without notes explaining why the first temporary failed, insurance will deny the second claim.
Using D2799 for long-term temporaries: If a patient keeps a provisional for months beyond the normal fabrication period, insurance questions whether it's truly temporary. This can lead to denial or recoupment.
Billing separately when bundled: If a plan bundles provisionals with permanent crowns, billing D2799 separately guarantees denial. Check plan policies before submitting claims.
These errors are preventable with proper training and attention to detail. Review your billing processes regularly to catch mistakes before claims go out.
Common Questions
How often can D2799 be billed?
You can bill D2799 once per permanent crown procedure. If the provisional fails before the permanent is ready, you can bill again with proper documentation showing medical necessity for the replacement.
Are there waiting periods between procedures?
No standard waiting period exists for D2799. However, insurance will question multiple provisional crowns on the same tooth within a short timeframe. Document any unusual circumstances clearly.
Are there limitations per tooth or arch?
Plans typically limit D2799 to one per tooth per permanent crown. You can bill for multiple teeth in the same appointment if each tooth is prepared for a permanent restoration. No arch-wide limitations exist, but billing for an entire arch at once requires clear documentation.
Why was my D2799 claim denied when the plan covers crowns?
Several reasons cause D2799 denials despite crown coverage. The plan may bundle provisional crowns with permanent crown fees. Check the explanation of benefits for bundling notes. Your documentation may lack required information, as insurance needs clear proof that the provisional is medically necessary. The tooth number might not match between provisional and permanent crown claims, so verify all codes reference the same tooth.
Does D2799 count toward my annual maximum?
Yes, when covered separately, D2799 benefits apply toward the annual maximum. If bundled with the permanent crown, the combined fee counts as one charge against the maximum.
Can I charge patients if insurance denies D2799?
Your ability to charge patients for denied D2799 claims depends on your participation agreements and state laws. If your contract requires you to accept insurance allowances as payment in full, you cannot charge patients for denied provisionals that are bundled. If the denial results from missing documentation or billing errors, you generally cannot charge patients. Review your specific contracts and consult with your dental attorney about patient charging rights.
What's the difference between D2799 and D2940?
D2940 covers sedative or temporary fillings used during treatment but not specifically for crown fabrication. D2799 applies only to provisional crowns placed while permanent crowns are being made. D2940 typically covers lower-cost temporary materials placed between appointments for various procedures, while D2799 involves more complex provisional restorations that require proper contour, contact and occlusion.
Can D2799 be used for veneer preparations?
No, D2799 specifically covers provisional crowns, not temporary veneers. Consult with your billing specialist about appropriate codes for provisional veneers.
How long can a provisional crown remain in place before it's no longer considered temporary?
No specific time limit defines when a provisional becomes permanent. However, keeping a provisional for several months raises questions about whether it's truly temporary. Normal fabrication takes 2-4 weeks. Document any extended timelines and the reasons for delay.
Getting D2799 Right Protects Your Revenue
Proper use of D2799 requires understanding when it applies, what documentation insurance needs, and how to avoid common billing mistakes. When your team understands this code, you reduce denials and maintain steady revenue.
Staff shortages make billing errors more likely. When your front desk is overwhelmed or understaffed, claims don't get the attention they need. Teero helps practices maintain adequate staffing levels so your administrative team can focus on accurate billing and documentation. Sign up for Teero today to fill open shifts quickly and keep your practice running without billing disruptions.