D2791 — Crown — full cast predominantly base metal
A crown is a custom-made cap that covers the entire visible part of a tooth. D2791 is the version in cast predominantly base-metal alloy.
There are 15 codes for crown and they are not interchangeable. This page covers this one; the crown guide covers the treatment they all share.
What the number specifies, what it costs, what your plan is likely to do with it, and the named differences between it and the codes around it — in that order.
The specifics of D2791
Material — cast predominantly base-metal alloy. A single casting in a base-metal alloy, most often cobalt-chromium. It is the hardest of the cast alloys, which cuts both ways: it resists wear almost indefinitely, but it also wears the opposing natural tooth and is difficult to adjust or remove once cemented. It is the least expensive cast option and, for a molar out of sight, a reasonable one. The material is part of the code rather than a choice made afterwards, so D2791 is only the right code if that is what was actually used.
Coverage — full. The restoration wraps the whole circumference of the tooth, which is what holds a cracked or heavily restored tooth together rather than simply filling it.
Where the line falls between D2791 and the rest
D2790 — Crown — full cast high noble metal: It specifies cast high noble alloy, with no porcelain over it rather than cast predominantly base-metal alloy.
D2792 — Crown — full cast noble metal: It specifies cast noble alloy, with no porcelain over it rather than cast predominantly base-metal alloy.
D2794 — Crown — titanium and titanium alloys: It specifies titanium or a titanium alloy rather than cast predominantly base-metal alloy.
D2783 — Crown — 3/4 porcelain/ceramic: It specifies all-ceramic, with no metal underneath rather than cast predominantly base-metal alloy.
D2791 sits in a group of 15 codes in total; the remainder are linked at the foot of this page. There is no penalty for asking which of these is planned, and there is a real cost to finding out from an explanation of benefits weeks later.
Every code in this group
These codes describe the same broad procedure and differ in one respect each. Each has its own page with its own fee range and coverage notes.
Questions about D2791
What does dental code D2791 mean?
It is the entry for crown, full cast predominantly base metal. A practice cannot use it for anything broader than that, which is what makes the code useful to you.
What should I expect to pay for D2791?
Usually somewhere in $950–$2,200 as a gross fee. The code fixes what was done, not what it costs, so ask for the practice's own figure in writing.
Does dental insurance cover D2791?
Expect major handling — typically 50% after deductible. Submitting an estimate first turns that percentage into a number you can rely on.
What is the difference between D2791 and D2790?
D2790 is crown, full cast high noble metal: it specifies cast high noble alloy, with no porcelain over it rather than cast predominantly base-metal alloy. That one difference is the whole distinction; the chair time, the materials and the appointment sequence are the same either way.
Also known as: dental crown, cap, full coverage restoration, crown and bridge.