Billing Code Overview

CDT code D2330 denotes a resin-based composite restoration for one surface on an anterior tooth. This procedure is categorized under Dentistry and typically occurs in a dental office (POS 11). The code describes placement of a tooth-colored, resin-based filling material to restore form and function of a single surface on a front tooth.

Clinical Context

A 28-year-old patient presents to a dental office with localized dental pain and sensitivity on an anterior tooth. Clinical examination identifies a single-surface carious lesion on a maxillary central incisor. After diagnosis, the dentist administers local anesthesia as needed, removes decay, prepares the enamel-dentin margins, isolates the tooth with cotton rolls or a rubber dam, and places a resin-based composite restoration on the affected single anterior surface. The procedure is completed with finishing and polishing; post-operative instructions are given and recall or restorative monitoring is scheduled.

Coding Specifications

• CDT code: D2330 — Resin-based composite - one surface, anterior

• Common Modifiers:

• 22 — Increased Procedural Services: Use when work required to complete the procedure is substantially greater than typically required for D2330 (for example, extensive caries removal or unusually difficult access) and documentation supports the additional work.

• 52 — Reduced Services: Use when the service provided is less than described for D2330 (for example, the restoration is limited in scope due to patient tolerance or unforeseen clinical limitation) and documentation supports the reduced service.

• Associated Provider Taxonomies:

• 1223G0001X — General Practice Dentist

• 1223D0001X — Dentist

• 1223E0200X — Endodontics

Related Diagnoses

• K02.3 — Arrested dental caries

  Clinical relevance: An arrested lesion on an anterior tooth may still require restoration if structural integrity is compromised, making D2330 applicable.

• K02.9 — Dental caries, unspecified

  Clinical relevance: A one-surface anterior carious lesion described generally by this code is a common indication for a resin-based composite restoration D2330.

• K03.81 — Cracked tooth

  Clinical relevance: A crack limited to a single anterior surface may be restored with a composite filling described by D2330 when reinforcement and restoration of the affected surface are indicated.

• K08.8 — Other specified disorders of teeth and supporting structures

  Clinical relevance: Miscellaneous tooth defects on an anterior single surface that require restorative resin-based composite can be billed with D2330 when appropriate.

• K04.7 — Periapical abscess without sinus

  Clinical relevance: Following endodontic resolution or when a localized periapical issue results in restorative need confined to one anterior surface, D2330 may be used to restore the tooth structure after infection control.

• K05.6 — Periodontal disease, unspecified

  Clinical relevance: Periodontal conditions affecting tooth structure or root exposure on a single anterior surface may necessitate a composite restoration coded as D2330 to restore form and function.

Related Codes

• D2391 is an alternative restorative material and location for a one-surface posterior restoration; selected when the lesion is posterior rather than anterior.

• D2140 is an alternative material (amalgam) for a one-surface restoration; selected when amalgam is clinically indicated or chosen instead of a resin-based composite.

• D2331, D2332, and D2335 represent increasing restoration complexity/size on anterior teeth and are used when the restoration involves two, three, or four+ surfaces (or incisal angle), respectively; these are alternatives when the defect extends beyond a single surface.

• Codes commonly used together or as alternatives: D2330 may be chosen instead of D2140 or D2391 based on tooth location and material selection; transition to D2331/D2332/D2335 occurs when the surface count or involvement exceeds one.

National mean commercial rates for CDT code D2330 center around BUCA (average commercial) at $71.01 versus Medicare which is not provided in the input; using the available values, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield show substantially higher mean rates at $108.49 and $98.28 respectively, while Aetna and Cigna Health cluster near $51.31 and $51.17, close to BUCA's lower-mid range.

Rate dispersion (P75 minus P25) varies by payer: UnitedHealthcare (24.8) and Blue Cross Blue Shield (37.4) exhibit the widest spreads, indicating greater variability in allowed amounts; Aetna (13.0) and Cigna Health (16.0) are the tightest. The table and chart below present the full breakdown of means and percentiles for each payer.