A decoder, an encoder and a method for decoding 3D point cloud data. The decoder includes a communication interface configured to receive an encoded bit stream comprising the 3D point cloud data and a processor. The processor is configured to decode the bit stream to identify a plurality of 2D frames; identify corresponding pixels in two or more geometry frames in the plurality of 2D frames based on locations of the corresponding pixels in the two or more geometry frames; identify depth values of the corresponding pixels in the two or more geometry frames; identify duplicate points in at least one of the two or more geometry frames based on the identified depth values of the corresponding pixels in the two or more geometry frames; and remove or ignore the identified duplicate points while reconstructing the 3D point cloud data.