D2920 is the CDT code for recementing or rebonding an existing crown that has become dislodged. No new crown is fabricated. The existing restoration is cleaned, inspected for fit and integrity, and reseated with new cement or adhesive.
Last updated June 2026 · Reviewed by the PracticeAlpha billing team
Get help with D2920 claims →Use D2920 when an existing crown has become dislodged and you are recementing it onto the prepared tooth without fabricating a new restoration. The crown must be intact, free of fractures, and fit the tooth preparation acceptably. The procedure includes cleaning the internal surface of the crown, cleaning and preparing the tooth, and using new cement or adhesive to reseat it.
Common clinical scenarios: A patient presents with a crown that fell out after eating. A crown that has been loose for some time finally comes off. A recently placed crown that came off before the cement fully set. A patient who brings in their crown that came off while they were away from their home dentist.
Do NOT use D2920 for: Fabricating and seating a new crown (use the appropriate crown code). Recementing a bridge pontic or retainer (use D6930). Recementing an inlay or onlay (use D2910). Any situation where the existing crown is determined to be unacceptable and a new crown is needed. Recementing a temporary crown.
Some payers treat recementing as a warranty service if the original crown was placed recently. If the same practice placed the original crown within a certain time period (often one to three years), the payer may deny D2920 on the grounds that the original crown should be replaced under warranty. Know the patient's plan and the originating provider.
Payers expect documentation that the crown was evaluated before recementing. If the notes simply say "re-cemented crown" without describing the condition of the crown and tooth, and confirming the crown was found acceptable, the claim is vulnerable. Document the clinical evaluation fully.
Some payers bundle D2920 with other procedures billed on the same date. If you also billed for an exam or x-ray on the same visit, some plans consider the evaluation part of the overall service and will not pay D2920 separately. Check the plan's bundling rules.
Documenting why the crown came off strengthens the claim. Note the likely cause: cement failure, occlusal forces, underlying decay, or unknown. Also document that no recurrent decay or compromising condition was found under the crown before recementing.
Document that the crown was examined: intact, no fractures, margins acceptable, and fit confirmed. Note the reason the crown dislodged if determinable. Confirm no recurrent decay or structural compromise before recementing.
A periapical x-ray at the recementing visit (or a recent one in the record) confirming the margin fit and ruling out underlying pathology. Some payers require a current x-ray. Having one in the record protects against documentation requests.
Note the type of cement used to recement the crown. This is part of complete clinical documentation and relevant if the crown later comes off again.
Record the tooth number, the type of crown (if known), and when the original crown was placed. If the original crown was placed by another provider, note that in the record. This information may be needed if the payer questions warranty applicability.
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Learn about our billing servicesD2920 is the CDT code for recementing or rebonding an existing crown that has become dislodged. No new crown is fabricated. The existing restoration is cleaned, evaluated for fit and integrity, and reseated using new cement or adhesive.
D2920 applies when the existing crown is intact, fits acceptably, and can be recementing without making a new restoration. If the crown is damaged, ill-fitting, or a new crown must be fabricated, the appropriate new crown code applies.
Coverage varies by plan. Many plans cover recementing as a basic or restorative service. Some plans treat it as a warranty service if the original crown was placed recently by the same provider. Verify the patient's specific plan before assuming coverage.
Common reasons include the payer applying a warranty window for recently placed crowns, missing documentation of the crown evaluation before recementing, bundling with other procedures on the same date, and insufficient documentation of why the crown came loose.
Clinical notes describing the crown's condition, confirmation it is acceptable for recementing, a radiograph confirming fit and no underlying pathology, the type of cement used, and the tooth number with original crown history if available.
No. D2920 is for recementing an existing crown. If a new crown is fabricated and seated, the new crown code applies. Billing both for the same tooth on the same date is a duplicate billing error.
Search all 206 CDT codes in our dental coding guide.