D2920 is the CDT code for re-cementing or re-bonding an existing crown — luting a crown that has loosened or fallen off back onto the same tooth without replacing it. It applies when the crown itself is intact and undamaged and only needs to be secured again.
Informational only — confirm the official CDT descriptor and your payers' rules independently. This is general guidance, not billing, coding, or clinical advice.
When to Use the D2920 Code
Report D2920 when a previously placed crown has come loose or detached but is still in good condition and can be cleaned and re-cemented onto the existing tooth. Typical scenarios include a crown that pops off while eating, washed-out cement over time, or a crown unseated by minor trauma where the underlying tooth and the crown margins remain sound.
Do not confuse D2920 with placing a new crown. If the tooth needs a replacement restoration because of recurrent decay, fracture, or a damaged crown, you bill a crown code (such as D2740 for all-ceramic or D2750 for porcelain-fused-to-metal), not D2920. D2920 is also distinct from re-cementing a fixed partial denture (bridge), which has its own code (D6930). Code by the actual service: re-cementing the same intact crown is D2920.
Documentation & Clinical Scenarios
Re-cement claims are usually low-cost, but a clean chart note still matters to show the crown was salvaged, not replaced:
- Tooth number and a note that the existing crown was re-cemented, not newly fabricated.
- The reason it came off (lost cement, trauma, normal wear) and confirmation that the tooth and crown margins are sound.
- The original seat date of the crown if known, because many plans limit re-cementation within a set window after initial placement.
- A short narrative if the crown was off for a while or the tooth needed cleaning before re-seating.
Work performed separately — a new problem-focused exam, a radiograph, or a buildup if the tooth was found to need one — is documented and billed on its own merits, not bundled into D2920.
Insurance & Billing Tips
- Check the post-placement waiting rule. Many plans will not pay to re-cement a crown within the first 6–12 months after the original seat, treating it as part of the initial crown service.
- Watch frequency limits. Re-cementation is often covered only once per crown per benefit period or per defined interval.
- Confirm it's a covered benefit at all. Some plans bundle re-cement into other same-day services or reimburse it at a modest fixed amount.
- Document the original crown date. This is the single detail most likely to be requested and most likely to trigger a denial if missing.
- Bill add-ons separately. If the visit also includes an exam or radiograph, report those with their own codes rather than rolling them into the re-cement.
Example Case
A patient calls because a crown on a lower molar came off while flossing and brings the crown in. The dentist examines the tooth, finds no new decay and intact margins, cleans the crown and the prep, and re-cements it the same day. Because the crown was placed three years earlier — well outside the plan's post-placement waiting window — the office files D2920 with the original seat date noted in the chart. The claim is paid at the plan's re-cement allowance with no surprise to the patient.
Patients call about "my crown fell off" — not D2920. DentalReception AI answers and books those calls 24/7, captures insurance details, and routes clinical/billing questions to your team. See lost crown calls, or book a demo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between D2920 and a new crown code?
D2920 covers re-cementing or re-bonding the same intact crown back onto the tooth. A crown code like D2740 or D2750 covers fabricating and placing a new crown. If the existing crown is damaged, the tooth has new decay, or a replacement is needed, that's a new crown — not a re-cement. Code by what was actually delivered: re-seating the original crown is D2920.
Does D2920 include an exam or radiograph?
No. D2920 covers the re-cementation procedure itself. If the visit also includes a problem-focused exam, a radiograph, or a buildup because the tooth needed additional work, those are separate procedures with their own codes. Document and bill each one on its own justification rather than bundling them into the re-cement.
How often will insurance pay to re-cement a crown?
It varies by plan. Many payers limit re-cementation to once per crown within a defined interval and will not pay at all within the first 6–12 months after the crown's original seat date, treating an early re-cement as part of the initial crown service. Verify the frequency rule and the post-placement waiting period before billing.
Do I need pre-authorization for D2920?
Pre-authorization is rarely required for a simple re-cement because it's a low-cost procedure, but the original crown seat date is frequently requested on the claim. Note that date in the chart and on the claim narrative. If the crown was placed recently, confirm the plan's post-placement waiting period first, since the re-cement may be considered inclusive of the original crown.
Confirm the current CDT descriptor and your specific payer policies before billing — browse the full dental code library or see our insurance verification feature.