D2981 — Inlay repair necessitated by restorative material failure
D2981 repairs a cemented inlay in place, rather than cutting it out and remaking it.
four codes describe repair of an indirect restoration, and this is one of them. What separates it from the other three is the subject of this page; the repair of an indirect restoration guide covers the treatment itself.
What follows is the detail behind the number: the conditions the code sets, its typical fee, its usual benefit treatment, and a code-by-code comparison with its closest neighbours.
How D2981 differs from its neighbours
D2980 — Crown repair necessitated by restorative material failure: It is the same procedure with one word changed: crown rather than inlay.
D2982 — Onlay repair necessitated by restorative material failure: It is the same procedure with one word changed: onlay rather than inlay.
D2983 — Veneer repair necessitated by restorative material failure: It is the same procedure with one word changed: veneer rather than inlay.
Those three codes and D2981 are the whole group — nothing else describes this procedure. Two of these codes on one estimate is not necessarily an error, but it is always worth asking what each line is for.
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 |
|---|---|
| D2981 | Inlay repair necessitated by restorative material failure — this page |
| D2980 | Crown repair necessitated by restorative material failure |
| D2982 | Onlay repair necessitated by restorative material failure |
| D2983 | Veneer repair necessitated by restorative material failure |
Questions about D2981
D2981 — what is it?
Inlay repair necessitated by restorative material failure. It belongs to the restorative section of the code set.
How much does D2981 cost?
Typically $180–$600 before insurance, depending on local fees and the complexity of the individual case.
Is D2981 a covered benefit?
It normally falls under basic / major cover, variable. Whether a particular claim is paid depends more on your history with the plan than on the code.
What is the difference between D2981 and D2980?
D2980 is crown repair necessitated by restorative material failure: it is the same procedure with one word changed: crown rather than inlay. The rest of the procedure is the same, which is why the two get substituted for one another on estimates.
Also known as: chipped crown, porcelain repair, crown repair, veneer repair.