Summary & Overview

CDT D2391: Resin-based Composite, One Surface, Posterior

Headline: CDT code D2391: Resin-based composite restoration for one posterior surface

Lead: CDT code D2391 identifies a single-surface resin-based composite restoration on a posterior tooth, a routine restorative service widely performed in dental offices across the country.

What the code represents and why it matters: CDT code D2391 covers placement of a resin-based composite material on one surface of a posterior tooth. As a common, tooth-preserving restorative option, it plays a central role in routine dental care and directly affects billing, benefit categorization, and patient cost-sharing for restorative services nationally.

Key payers covered: This analysis references policies from Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, and UnitedHealthcare.

Overview of what readers will learn: Readers will find a concise summary of the clinical context for D2391, common billing considerations, and how this service is categorized by major commercial payers. The publication outlines documentation expectations, typical site-of-service coding practice, and comparisons to adjacent CDT restorative codes for multi-surface restorations. It also flags where input is missing and notes when Data not available in the input.

Why it matters to stakeholders: Accurate use of D2391 supports appropriate reimbursement, clear benefit adjudication, and consistent claims processing for single‑surface posterior composite restorations. The content is intended for dental billers, practice managers, and policy analysts seeking a standardized reference for this CDT procedure.

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Billing Code Overview

CDT code D2391 describes a resin-based composite restoration for one surface in a posterior tooth. This is a common dental restorative procedure used to repair localized damage such as small carious lesions or minor structural defects on molars or premolars.

Service type: Dental restorative procedure

Typical site of service: Dental office setting (typically reported with CDT D-codes, no POS applicable)

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A patient presents to a dental office with a symptomatic posterior tooth exhibiting an occlusal carious lesion. After clinical and radiographic assessment, the dentist diagnoses a localized cavity without pulpal involvement and elects to restore the tooth with a direct resin‑based composite on a single posterior surface. The procedure includes isolation (rubber dam or cotton rolls), removal of decayed tooth structure, cavity preparation, etching/bonding, incremental placement and curing of composite, occlusal adjustment, and final polish. Typical documentation includes tooth number, surface restored, anesthesia used, materials placed, technique notes, and pre‑/post‑operative instructions.

Coding Specifications

CDT code: D2391 — Resin‑based composite – one surface, posterior
Common Modifiers:
51 — Multiple Procedures
Use when more than one dental procedure is performed during the same visit and billing requires identification of multiple procedures for payer processing.
52 — Reduced Services
Use when the service was partially reduced or not performed to its full extent but still constitutes a reportable service.
Associated Provider Taxonomies:

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

National mean rates for CDT code D2391 show Medicare-equivalent commercial averages (BUCA) sitting between major payers: BUCA average mean rate is $78.38, compared with Medicare-level benchmarks provided separately in the input. UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield report the highest mean rates nationally at $119.19 and $107.71 respectively, while Aetna and Cigna Health report lower mean rates near $57–$58.

Rate dispersion (P75 minus P25) varies by payer. Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare show wider dispersion (BCBS: $43.33 range; UnitedHealthcare: $28.33 range), indicating broader variability in paid amounts. Aetna and Cigna Health exhibit tighter dispersion (Aetna: $22.00 range; Cigna Health: $23.00 range). BUCA (Avg Commercial) has a moderate dispersion of $49.50. The table and chart below present the full breakdown.

National Mean Rates for CDT code D2391 by Payer

Related Codes

D2390 — Resin‑based composite crown, anterior
Relation: An anterior resin‑based composite crown addresses front tooth restorations; not typically used with D2391 but an alternative restorative option for teeth requiring full coverage.
D2392 — Resin‑based composite – two surfaces, posterior
Relation: Represents a larger posterior composite restoration involving two surfaces; used when the lesion extends beyond a single surface and may follow D2391 if more surfaces are treated.
D2393 — Resin‑based composite – three surfaces, posterior
Relation: Indicates an even larger posterior restoration; an alternative when the clinical restoration requires three surfaces instead of one.
D2394 — Resin‑based composite – four or more surfaces, posterior
Relation: Used for extensive posterior restorations; may be chosen instead of D2391 when multiple surfaces are involved.
Common usage notes: D2391 may be billed alone when a single posterior surface is restored. When multiple posterior surfaces on the same tooth are restored during the same encounter, the appropriate multi‑surface code from D2392–D2394 is reported. 51 can indicate multiple procedures on different teeth during one visit; 52 denotes reduced services when applicable.

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Summary & Overview

CDT D2391: Resin-based Composite, One Surface, Posterior

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Related Codes

Related Diagnoses

Related Codes

National Reimbursement Benchmarks

Related Codes