D6740 vs D2740: When to Use Each Porcelain Crown CDT Code

February 19, 2026

While most offices use only a few favorite crown types, there are actually over 75 full coverage permanent crown codes in the CDT set. The correct code must be chosen based on whether the crown is meant for a natural tooth or an implant, whether it is a single unit or part of a fixed partial denture (bridge), and the material used to make the crown.

D2740 vs D6740: Clinical Scenarios for Correct Coding

Two commonly confused crown codes are the “Retainer Crown – Porcelain/Ceramic” code (D6740) and the “Crown – Porcelain/Ceramic” code (D2740). While these codes might seem similar at first glance, understanding their distinct applications is crucial for accurately coding for what you do.

Let’s explore this further with two brief scenarios:

Scenario 1:

A patient presents with a large, failing MOD amalgam restoration on tooth #14. A replacement filling is no longer a viable option for this patient, so a porcelain/ceramic crown is recommended. Which code do you use?

Scenario 2:

A patient presents missing tooth #19, and the adjacent teeth (#s 18 and 20) are each heavily restored and would benefit from full coverage structural support. In lieu of an implant, the patient opts for a porcelain/ceramic 3-unit bridge. Which code do you use for the retainer crowns?

If you said D2740 for scenario one and D6740 for scenario two, you would be correct!

When to Use D6740: Retainer Crowns for Fixed Partial Dentures

The team player of these two codes is D6740. This code specifically designates an all porcelain

retainer crown, which is used as the supporting structure of a bridge, also known as a fixed partial denture. The retainer crowns are connected to the adjacent pontic(s) and act as the anchor of the unit. Since you are using more than one code to report this procedure, it is important that the materials match, so if you are coding your bridge using D6740 for the retainer crowns, you would want to use the “Pontic – Porcelain/Ceramic” code (D6245) for the replacement of the missing tooth/teeth.

When to Use D2740: Single-Unit Porcelain/Ceramic Crowns

Alternatively, we have D2740 – the one that works alone. This is the independent, standalone performer of the two. This code is reserved for a single tooth restoration, excluding the reporting or documentation of facial veneers. An alternate benefit of a porcelain fused to metal crown may be used for payor reimbursement. 

Common Crown Coding Error: D2740 Should Not Be Used for Retainer Crowns

This is where many of us can sometimes get tripped up, and with good reason! While a retainer crown looks like a regular crown, its function within a bridge assembly makes it distinct. As stated above, you should absolutely NOT use D2740 for a retainer crown that is part of a bridge. This is because D2740 does not convey the full scope of the restorative work being done – the fact that a retainer crown is supporting a pontic and is part of a larger dental prosthetic.

Navigating the CDT code set doesn’t have to be a bad dream as long as you identify the role each restoration plays in the treatment. Whether you’re restoring a single compromised tooth or anchoring a multi-unit bridge, accuracy depends on the tooth’s status, the extent of the restoration, and your choice of material. By ensuring your retainer crown materials match your pontics and keeping your single unit crowns separate from your bridgework crowns, you’ll ensure cleaner claims, more accurate reimbursement, and a more organized clinical record.

Final Takeaway: Accurate CDT Crown Coding Supports Clean Claims and Reimbursement

Practice Booster’s Dental Coding with Confidence is a wonderful resource that provides you with guidance and strategies for proper application and reporting of the current CDT codes while preventing errors that affect revenue and patient satisfaction. Additionally, Practice Booster’s online Code Advisor is another resource that gives your practice access to the industry’s leading coding resource and direct access to their team of advisors. This will open the door to legitimate reimbursement for your practice!

If your team wants support navigating crown coding, reducing denials, and improving reimbursement accuracy, eAssist can help. Our U.S.-based dental billing and coding experts combine proven experience with AI-enhanced workflows to keep claims clean, compliant, and moving efficiently through payors.Schedule a consultation to see how eAssist can strengthen your revenue cycle and help your practice collect what it’s earned.

Disclaimer: Insurance administration and dental billing recommendations presented here represent the opinions of the author or our staff and are for informational purposes only. You are responsible for your own use of the CDT Codes, insurance administration, and dental billing. For the latest CDT codes and official interpretations, contact the American Dental Association or visit ADA.org.