D2940 is the CDT code for a protective restoration, commonly called a sedative filling. It is a temporary or interim restoration placed to calm a symptomatic tooth, protect exposed dentin or pulp, or allow monitoring before committing to a final treatment plan.
Last updated June 2026 · Reviewed by the PracticeAlpha billing team
Get help with D2940 claims →Use D2940 when placing an interim restoration whose primary purpose is to protect the tooth, soothe pulpal symptoms, or stabilize the tooth while treatment planning continues. The defining characteristic is that the restoration is not intended to be permanent. It is placed to manage the tooth short-term.
Common clinical scenarios: A tooth with deep decay near the pulp where the clinician wants to monitor pulpal response before deciding between a restoration and root canal therapy. A patient in acute pain who needs immediate symptom relief but cannot complete full treatment that day. A tooth where extensive decay was removed and a sedative base is placed to allow the pulp to recover. An emergency patient whose definitive treatment will be completed at a follow-up visit.
Do NOT use D2940 for: Permanent restorations (use the appropriate amalgam or composite code). Temporary crowns (use D2799). Endodontic access fill during root canal treatment if the payer bundles it with the endodontic code. Situations where the restoration placed is intended to be permanent from the start.
Billing D2940 and a permanent filling code on the same tooth on the same date of service is the most common denial trigger. Most payers will not pay for both a protective restoration and a permanent restoration on the same tooth at the same visit. The two procedures are clinically mutually exclusive. If a permanent restoration was placed, D2940 is not applicable.
The clinical notes must clearly establish why a temporary protective restoration was placed rather than a definitive one. Notes that simply say "placed sedative filling" without explaining the clinical rationale are vulnerable. Document the pulpal status, symptoms, depth of decay, and the plan for follow-up definitive treatment.
Some plans do not cover temporary or protective restorations as a separate benefit. They consider this type of interim care to be bundled into the cost of the comprehensive exam or the eventual permanent treatment. Always verify the patient's plan benefits before assuming D2940 will be reimbursed.
When D2940 is billed on the same date as a root canal access opening, some payers bundle the temporary fill into the endodontic code. The rationale is that sealing the access opening is part of the root canal procedure. Include a narrative when billing both to clarify the clinical situation if you believe separate billing is justified.
Document the specific reason a protective restoration was chosen over a permanent one. Symptomatic tooth, deep decay near pulp, pulpal status uncertain, patient unable to complete treatment at this visit, or monitoring required before final treatment decision.
Record the material used. Common options include zinc oxide eugenol compounds (IRM, Cavit), glass ionomer, or other interim materials. The material choice supports the temporary nature of the restoration.
Document the tooth number, the presenting symptoms, clinical findings (pain on cold, percussion tenderness, near exposure, etc.), and the radiographic findings. This establishes the clinical picture that warranted an interim approach.
Document the anticipated definitive treatment and when the patient is expected to return. A clear follow-up plan demonstrates that the protective restoration is part of an ongoing treatment sequence, not a permanent solution.
Protective restoration claims getting bundled or denied? We review the coding and documentation patterns causing the problem.
Learn about our billing servicesD2940 is the CDT code for a protective restoration, also called a sedative filling. It is a temporary or interim restoration placed to soothe a symptomatic tooth, protect exposed dentin or pulp, or stabilize a tooth before definitive treatment. Materials include zinc oxide eugenol compounds and glass ionomer.
D2940 is an interim protective restoration, not a permanent filling. It is placed when the tooth needs time to recover or when the final treatment plan is not yet confirmed. Permanent restoration codes like D2160 are for definitive restorations intended to remain in place long-term.
Many plans cover D2940 as a basic service, though coverage varies. Some plans limit coverage to one per tooth per year or deny it when a permanent restoration was placed on the same tooth on the same date. Always verify the patient's specific plan benefits.
Common reasons include billing D2940 and a permanent restoration on the same tooth on the same date, insufficient documentation of why an interim approach was chosen, plans that do not cover temporary restorations separately, and bundling with endodontic procedures on the same visit.
Clinical notes explaining the indication for a protective restoration, the material used, the tooth number, presenting symptoms and clinical findings, and the planned follow-up or definitive treatment. This documentation establishes the temporary nature of the procedure.
This depends on the plan and the clinical scenario. Some payers bundle the access seal into the endodontic procedure code. Others will pay D2940 separately with adequate documentation. Check the plan's bundling rules and include a narrative if billing both to clarify the clinical situation.
Search all 206 CDT codes in our dental coding guide.