D3240Pulpal Therapy (Resorbable Filling) - Posterior, Primary Tooth (Excluding Final Restoration)

What This Code Covers

D3240 covers complete removal of the pulp tissue from a posterior (back) primary tooth and filling of the canals with a resorbable material. Posterior primary teeth (molars) have multiple roots and canals, making this procedure more complex than anterior pulpal therapy. The resorbable filling material dissolves as the primary tooth root naturally resorbs, allowing the permanent premolar to erupt. The final restoration (typically a stainless steel crown) is billed separately.

Billing Guide

Bill this code when:

• A pulpectomy (complete pulp removal) is performed on a posterior primary tooth
• The canals are filled with a resorbable material
• The tooth is a primary molar (K, L, S, T or equivalent letter designations)
• The pulp is necrotic or irreversibly inflamed, and a pulpotomy alone is insufficient

Do not bill this code when:

• The tooth is an anterior primary tooth. Use D3230
• Only a pulpotomy is performed (coronal pulp removal only). Use D3220
• The tooth is permanent. Use D3320 for premolar or D3330 for molar root canal
• The tooth should be extracted rather than treated

Insurance and Denial Prevention

Key Payer Rules:

• D3240 is covered by most pediatric dental plans and Medicaid programs
• The fee is typically higher than D3230 due to the additional complexity of posterior root anatomy
• Most payers allow D3240 and D2930 (stainless steel crown) on the same date
• Some payers require documentation that the tooth has sufficient root structure remaining

Common Denials and How to Respond:

• Tooth should be extracted - Document the remaining root structure, expected exfoliation date, and the importance of space maintenance. If the tooth is within 1-2 years of exfoliation, extraction may be more appropriate.
• Should be D3220 (pulpotomy) - Explain that a pulpotomy was insufficient because the root pulp was also infected or necrotic. Submit clinical notes and radiographs.
• Missing documentation - Submit pre-operative radiograph, clinical notes documenting pulp status, and the fill material used.