D2950 - Core Buildup
Core buildup including pins.
- Procedure Code
- D2950
- Category
- Restorative
Insurance Verification Benchmarks & Billing Guidelines
Benchmark Policy Source: Delta Dental 2026
- Frequency Limitation
- Subject to group/individual contract frequency limitations (none)
Required Claim Attachments & Pre-Submission Checklist
- Standard ADA claim form with CDT procedure code and date of service
Bill When (Allowable Clinical Criteria)
- Indicated for medically and clinically necessary treatment as documented in patient's dental record.
Restrictions & Clinical Exclusions
- The fees for buildups are not billable to the patient when buildups are performed in conjunction with inlays, ¾ crowns or onlays.
- Fees for repairs are not billable to the patient within 24 months of the original restoration by the same dentist/dental office. Benefits are denied if done by a different dentist/dental office.
- Infection control is included in the fee for the dental services provided. Separate fees are not billable to the patient.
- Benefits for restorations for altering occlusion, adjusting vertical dimension, replacing tooth structure lost by attrition, erosion, abrasion, abfraction, corrosion, TMD or for periodontal, orthodontic or other splinting are denied, unless covered by group/individual contract.
- Benefits for biomimetic restorations (e.g. Biodentine) are denied as investigational.
- For benefit purposes, local anesthesia is an integral part of the procedure being performed and additional fees are not billable to the patient.
Common Claim Denial Codes & Overturn Strategies
| Denial Code | Denial Reason | Appeal & Overturn Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| CO-119 | Benefit maximum or frequency limitation exceeded for procedure | Submit clinical narrative detailing extraordinary circumstances, active recurrent pathology, or exception criteria. |
ICD-10 Justification & Crosswalk Mappings
| ICD-10 Code | Diagnosis Name | Category | Primary Justification | Claim Type | Clinical Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K02.63 | Dental caries on smooth surface penetrating into pulp | Dental caries | Yes (Primary) | BOTH | core buildup, including any pins when required indicated for Dental caries on smooth surface penetrating into pulp |
| K00.2 | Abnormalities of size and form of teeth | Disorders of tooth development and eruption | Secondary | BOTH | core buildup, including any pins when required indicated for Abnormalities of size and form of teeth |
| K02.52 | Dental caries on pit and fissure surface penetrating into dentin | Dental caries | Secondary | BOTH | core buildup, including any pins when required indicated for Dental caries on pit and fissure surface penetrating into dentin |
| K02.53 | Dental caries on pit and fissure surface penetrating into pulp | Dental caries | Secondary | BOTH | core buildup, including any pins when required indicated for Dental caries on pit and fissure surface penetrating into pulp |
| K02.62 | Dental caries on smooth surface penetrating into dentin | Dental caries | Secondary | BOTH | core buildup, including any pins when required indicated for Dental caries on smooth surface penetrating into dentin |
| S02.5XXA | Fracture of tooth (traumatic), initial encounter for closed fracture | Fracture of skull and facial bones | Secondary | BOTH | core buildup, including any pins when required indicated for Fracture of tooth (traumatic), initial encounter for closed fracture |