D2953 — Each additional indirectly fabricated post — same tooth
When a root-treated tooth has broken down to or below the gumline, there is nothing left above the gum for a crown to grip.
One of four post and core codes. If you are trying to understand the treatment, start with the post and core guide; if you are trying to understand this line on your estimate, you are in the right place.
Everything below is specific to this code: what it pins down, what it is worth, how a payer handles it, and which codes it is not.
The conditions built into D2953
Sequence — an "each additional" code. D2953 never appears on its own. It follows the primary code for the same procedure at the same visit and carries a lower fee. A claim showing it without a matching primary code above it will be rejected.
D2953 compared with its closest relatives
D2952 — Post & core (cast, in addition to crown): It is the primary line this one follows.
D2954 — Post & core (prefabricated, in addition to crown): It is the primary line this one follows.
D2955 — Post removal: It is the primary line this one follows.
Those three codes and D2953 are the whole group — nothing else describes this procedure. The descriptions differ by a few words and the fees differ by a great deal, which is why mixing them up is one of the commonest billing errors in dentistry. Ask which of these codes is being submitted and why.
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.
| Code | Procedure |
|---|---|
| D2953 | Each additional indirectly fabricated post — same tooth — this page |
| D2952 | Post & core (cast, in addition to crown) |
| D2954 | Post & core (prefabricated, in addition to crown) |
| D2955 | Post removal |
Questions about D2953
D2953 — what is it?
It is the restorative code for each additional indirectly fabricated post, same tooth, and it means that specific procedure and no other.
How much does D2953 cost?
The usual range is $200–$500. Anything well outside it is worth a question rather than an assumption.
Is D2953 a covered benefit?
It is generally a covered benefit in the major category, typically 50%. Frequency limits and waiting periods are the usual reasons a claim is refused.
What is the difference between D2953 and D2952?
D2952 is post and core, cast, in addition to crown: it is the primary line this one follows. That one difference is the whole distinction; the chair time, the materials and the appointment sequence are the same either way.
Also known as: post and core, dental post, fibre post, root canal post, post removal.