Summary & Overview
CDT D2393: Resin-Based Composite, Three Surfaces, Posterior
CDT code D2393 designates a resin-based composite restoration involving three surfaces on a posterior tooth. This restorative procedure is commonly used in general and specialty dental practices to treat multi-surface caries or structural damage while preserving tooth structure with a tooth-colored material. Nationally, composite restorations are a frequent component of routine dental care and influence provider billing patterns and benefit design due to material selection and surface-based code granularity.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, and UnitedHealthcare. Readers will find an overview of how D2393 fits within the CDT resin-based composite code series (D2391 through D2394), common clinical scenarios that map to D2393, and payer considerations that affect coverage determinations and claims processing. The publication summarizes typical sites of service and service definitions, common associated ICD-10 diagnoses used to justify restorative treatment, and related codes for one-, two-, and four-plus surface posterior composite restorations.
The content provides practical benchmarks for comparing utilization across surface-based restorative codes, highlights coding relationships within restorative dentistry, and identifies where information is unavailable in the input. Data not available in the input is explicitly noted where relevant.
Billing Code Overview
CDT code D2393 represents a resin-based composite restoration for three surfaces on a posterior tooth. This procedure is a restorative dental treatment using tooth-colored composite material to repair damage or decay affecting three surfaces of a posterior tooth.
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Service Type: Dentistry
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Typical Site of Service: Dental Office (POS 11)
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 35-year-old adult presents to a dental office with occlusal and proximal sensitivity on a mandibular molar. Clinical exam and bitewing radiographs reveal an occlusal plus one proximal carious lesion consistent with dental caries; the tooth is restorable. The dentist evaluates the tooth, obtains consent, administers local anesthesia, isolates the operative field with rubber dam or cotton roll isolation, removes carious tooth structure, prepares the cavity for a direct posterior resin restoration, places a resin-based composite in three surfaces (e.g., occlusal plus two proximal walls), contours and cures the material, finishes and polishes the restoration, and provides postoperative instructions. Billing is submitted from the dental office (POS 11) using CDT code D2393 for the three-surface posterior resin-based composite placement. If a same-day, significant separate evaluation occurs, the dentist documents the distinct service. If the procedure is performed in a teaching setting with resident participation, documentation indicates supervision level and resident involvement.
Coding Specifications
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Common Modifiers
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GC- Service performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician: appended when a resident provided part of the service and documentation supports supervision per payer policy. -
25- Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same dentist on the same day of the procedure: appended when a distinct diagnostic or evaluation visit is documented in addition to the restorative procedure on the same date. -
Associated Provider Taxonomies
| Taxonomy Code | Specialty |
|---|---|
1223G0001X | General Practice Dentist |
1223D0001X | Dentist |
1223E0200X | Endodontics Dentist |
- Use of these taxonomies identifies the provider specialty on claims and assists payers in recognizing appropriate credentialing and scope for
D2393.
Related Diagnoses
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K02.9— Dental caries, unspecified- Relevance: Dental caries is a primary indication for removal of decayed tooth structure and placement of a resin-based composite restoration such as
D2393when three posterior surfaces are involved.
- Relevance: Dental caries is a primary indication for removal of decayed tooth structure and placement of a resin-based composite restoration such as
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K03.81— Cracked tooth- Relevance: A cracked tooth involving multiple posterior surfaces may require restoration with a resin-based composite for structural repair and seal; documentation should support the link between the crack and the restorative treatment.
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K08.89— Other specified disorders of teeth and supporting structures- Relevance: Miscellaneous tooth disorders that compromise tooth integrity can be treated with a multi-surface composite restoration; documentation must specify the condition being treated to justify
D2393.
- Relevance: Miscellaneous tooth disorders that compromise tooth integrity can be treated with a multi-surface composite restoration; documentation must specify the condition being treated to justify
Related Codes
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
D2391 | Resin‑based composite – one surface, posterior |
D2392 | Resin‑based composite – two surfaces, posterior |
D2394 | Resin‑based composite – four or more surfaces, posterior |
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D2391andD2392represent restorations of fewer surfaces and are alternatives when the operative surfaces treated are limited to one or two; they may be selected instead ofD2393when documentation supports fewer surfaces. -
D2394represents a restoration of greater complexity (four or more surfaces) and is an alternative when documentation supports a larger restoration than three surfaces. -
In clinical workflow, a clinician selects the specific code that matches the documented number of restored surfaces; adjacent codes are commonly considered during charting and claim submission to ensure the procedure code accurately reflects the service performed.
National Reimbursement Benchmarks
National commercial mean rates vary notably: UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield have the highest mean rates at $188.28 and $176.30 respectively, while Cigna Health and Aetna are lower at $106.72 and $114.32. The BUCA commercial average sits between those groups at $141.74. Medicare data is not provided in the input.
Rate dispersion (P75 minus P25) is widest for Blue Cross Blue Shield (208.67 - 142.00 = $66.67) and UnitedHealthcare (211.00 - 169.00 = $42.00), indicating greater variability in allowed amounts; Cigna Health is the tightest (115.00 - 100.00 = $15.00) with Aetna also relatively tight (120.00 - 98.00 = $22.00). The table and chart below present the full breakdown.
Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.