What D5720 means

D5720 covers rebasing a maxillary partial denture. "D" is dental, "57" is this denture repair/reline/rebase area, and "20" is this partial rebase. A 'partial denture' replaces some (not all) teeth in an arch where natural teeth remain. The 'base' portions are the resin (acrylic) parts that rest on the tissues (the ridge areas where teeth are missing) — connected to the partial's framework. To 'rebase' is to replace that base material — making new base portions for the existing framework and teeth. So D5720 is replacing the base of an upper partial denture.

So it's replacing the resin base portions of an upper partial denture with new material, while keeping the existing framework and teeth.

Like complete dentures, partial dentures can stop fitting well over time as the underlying ridge (in the areas where teeth are missing) resorbs/changes — so the base portions of the partial no longer adapt to the tissues (the partial may become loose in those areas, rock, or be less comfortable/stable). When this happens but the partial's framework and teeth are still good, the base can be renewed — either by relining (adding a layer to the fitting surface of the base portions) or, more extensively, rebasing (replacing the base material, D5720 for the upper partial). A rebase replaces the resin base portions (connected to the framework), restoring the fit while preserving the framework (the metal skeleton or flexible structure) and the teeth. Note for cast partial dentures: a rebase replaces the base material that's connected to the framework (the framework itself stays). Some payers specify rebases for cast partials specifically (the base material on the cast framework). The only difference from D5721 is the arch — D5720 is maxillary (upper). D5720 specifically is for the maxillary (upper) partial denture. It's provided by a dentist/prosthodontist (often with lab work). Coverage depends on the plan (relines/rebases have timing/frequency rules). This code is in the removable prosthodontics area. Documentation supports the claim.

When it's typically used

D5720 is reported for rebasing a maxillary (upper) partial denture — replacing the resin base portions (connected to the framework) with new material while keeping the existing framework and teeth. It's used when an upper partial denture's base no longer fits the tissues well (e.g., after ridge resorption in the edentulous areas) but the framework and teeth are still good, and a base replacement (more than a reline) is appropriate.

How much does D5720 cost?

Rebasing an upper partial denture's cost reflects replacing the base portions (more involved than a reline, often with lab work) — typically more than a reline but far less than a new partial. Sample fee-schedule values are in the low-hundreds range (varying by region/lab). Relines/rebases usually aren't covered for a period after the original partial, and have frequency limits afterward. Verify your specific coverage.

Is D5720 covered by insurance?

Coverage for a partial rebase depends on the plan — relines/rebases are typically not covered for a period after the original partial is delivered (often 6 months to ~2 years), and have frequency limits afterward; some plans specify rebases for cast partials. Documentation of the partial, the poor fit (ridge changes in the edentulous areas), and the need for a rebase supports the claim. Verifying coverage and the timing/frequency rules helps.

Rebasing a partial: the base portions

It replaces the resin base on the framework, and understanding this clarifies the code.

Understanding what's rebased on a partial clarifies D5720. A partial denture has several components: the framework (the metal skeleton of a cast partial, or the structure of a flexible/resin partial) that spans the arch and gives the partial its rigidity/structure; the clasps and rests (that engage the remaining natural teeth for retention/support); the base portions (the resin/acrylic parts that sit on the edentulous ridge areas — where teeth are missing — and hold the replacement teeth there); and the prosthetic teeth.

A rebase of a partial replaces the base portions — the resin base material that rests on the tissues (in the areas where teeth are missing) — with new material. The framework and teeth are kept; it's the base resin (which adapts to the ridge) that's renewed. This is because the fit problem comes from the base portions no longer adapting to the changed ridge tissues (in the edentulous areas) — so replacing that base material re-establishes the fit there. (For a cast partial, the rebase replaces the base material connected to the metal framework — the framework itself stays.) So a partial rebase renews the resin base portions. So D5720 replaces the partial's base on the framework. Understanding this helps patients see that a partial denture has several components (the framework — the metal skeleton of a cast partial or the structure of a flexible/resin partial — spanning the arch and giving rigidity/structure; the clasps and rests engaging the remaining natural teeth for retention/support; the base portions — the resin/acrylic parts sitting on the edentulous ridge areas where teeth are missing and holding the replacement teeth there; and the prosthetic teeth) — a rebase of a partial replacing the base portions (the resin base material resting on the tissues in the areas where teeth are missing) with new material, the framework and teeth kept, it being the base resin (which adapts to the ridge) that's renewed (because the fit problem comes from the base portions no longer adapting to the changed ridge tissues in the edentulous areas, so replacing that base material re-establishing the fit there, and for a cast partial the rebase replacing the base material connected to the metal framework while the framework itself stays).

Why partial dentures lose their fit

The ridge in edentulous areas changes, and understanding this clarifies the need.

Understanding the cause clarifies why D5720 is needed. A partial denture rests partly on the remaining natural teeth (via clasps/rests) and partly on the edentulous ridge areas (the gum/bone where teeth are missing, supported by the base portions). Over time, those edentulous ridge areas resorb/change (like any ridge without teeth) — the gum and bone there shrink/remodel. So the base portions, which were made to fit those areas, gradually no longer adapt to them (the tissues have shrunk away beneath the base).

The result is that the partial's fit deteriorates in the edentulous areas: the base portions become loose/ill-fitting, the partial may rock or shift, food may get under it, and the support/stability from those areas declines. (The retention from the clasps on the remaining teeth may still be okay, but the tissue-borne support degrades.) This is analogous to what happens with complete dentures, but localized to the partial's edentulous-ridge regions. To restore the fit there, the base portions are re-adapted — via a reline (added layer) or a rebase (replaced base, D5720). So changing edentulous ridges cause partials to lose fit. So the ridge changes prompt a partial rebase. Understanding this helps patients see that a partial denture rests partly on the remaining natural teeth (via clasps/rests) and partly on the edentulous ridge areas (the gum/bone where teeth are missing, supported by the base portions), and over time those edentulous ridge areas resorb/change (like any ridge without teeth, the gum and bone there shrinking/remodeling), so the base portions (made to fit those areas) gradually no longer adapting to them (the tissues having shrunk away beneath the base) — the result being that the partial's fit deteriorates in the edentulous areas (the base portions becoming loose/ill-fitting, the partial possibly rocking or shifting, food getting under it, and the support/stability from those areas declining, the retention from the clasps on the remaining teeth possibly still okay but the tissue-borne support degrading), analogous to what happens with complete dentures but localized to the partial's edentulous-ridge regions — so to restore the fit there the base portions being re-adapted via a reline (added layer) or a rebase (replaced base, D5720).

Keeping the framework and teeth

The costly framework is preserved, and understanding this clarifies the value.

Understanding the value clarifies D5720. A partial denture's framework — especially a precision cast metal framework — is a significant part of its cost and craftsmanship (custom-cast to engage the teeth precisely). The replacement teeth are also good when not worn. When a partial stops fitting due to ridge changes in the edentulous areas, often the framework and teeth are still fine — it's the base portions' fit that's the problem. A rebase (D5720) renews the base portions while keeping the framework and teeth.

This is valuable because: it preserves the framework — the costly, precisely-fitting framework (and its clasps/rests engaging the natural teeth) is retained, rather than remaking the whole partial; it keeps the teeth — the existing replacement teeth are reused; and it restores the fit — the new base re-establishes good adaptation to the edentulous ridge areas. So a rebase extends the partial's life economically when the framework/teeth are good but the base no longer fits. (If the framework were damaged or the partial otherwise inadequate, a repair or new partial might be considered instead.) So D5720 preserves the framework and teeth while renewing the base. Understanding this helps patients see that a partial denture's framework (especially a precision cast metal framework) is a significant part of its cost and craftsmanship (custom-cast to engage the teeth precisely), and the replacement teeth are also good when not worn — so when a partial stops fitting due to ridge changes in the edentulous areas the framework and teeth are often still fine, it being the base portions' fit that's the problem — a rebase renewing the base portions while keeping the framework and teeth, valuable because it preserves the framework (the costly precisely-fitting framework, and its clasps/rests engaging the natural teeth, retained rather than remaking the whole partial), keeps the teeth (the existing replacement teeth reused), and restores the fit (the new base re-establishing good adaptation to the edentulous ridge areas) — so a rebase extending the partial's life economically when the framework/teeth are good but the base no longer fits (if the framework were damaged or the partial otherwise inadequate, a repair or new partial might be considered instead).

Where D5720 fits in the codes

D5720 is the maxillary partial rebase, and understanding this clarifies the coding.

Understanding where D5720 sits clarifies the coding. D5720 is among the denture rebase/reline maintenance codes. The rebase codes (whole base replacement) are: D5710 (rebase complete maxillary), D5711 (rebase complete mandibular), D5720 (rebase maxillary partial, this code), D5721 (rebase mandibular partial). (There's also D5725, rebase hybrid prosthesis, for implant hybrid prostheses.) The reline codes (added layer), split by chairside/laboratory, include the partial relines: D5740/D5741 (reline maxillary/mandibular partial chairside), D5760/D5761 (reline maxillary/mandibular partial laboratory).

So D5720 is precisely: rebase + partial + maxillary (upper). Its direct counterpart is D5721 (the mandibular/lower partial rebase). It's distinguished from the complete-denture rebases (D5710/D5711) by being for a partial denture, and from the reline codes by being a rebase. The dentist codes D5720 when rebasing an upper partial denture. So D5720 is the upper partial rebase among the codes. Understanding this helps patients see that D5720 is among the denture rebase/reline maintenance codes — the rebase codes (whole base replacement) being D5710 (rebase complete maxillary), D5711 (rebase complete mandibular), D5720 (rebase maxillary partial, this code), D5721 (rebase mandibular partial), plus D5725 (rebase hybrid prosthesis, for implant hybrid prostheses) — and the reline codes (added layer, split by chairside/laboratory) including the partial relines D5740/D5741 (reline maxillary/mandibular partial chairside) and D5760/D5761 (reline maxillary/mandibular partial laboratory) — so D5720 is precisely rebase + partial + maxillary/upper, its direct counterpart being D5721 (the mandibular/lower partial rebase), distinguished from the complete-denture rebases (D5710/D5711) by being for a partial denture and from the reline codes by being a rebase, the dentist coding D5720 when rebasing an upper partial denture.

Frequently asked questions

What is the D5720 dental code?

It's rebasing a maxillary (upper) partial denture — replacing the resin base portions (the acrylic that rests on the ridge where teeth are missing, connected to the framework) with new material, while keeping the existing framework and teeth. It's done when an upper partial's base no longer fits the tissues well (after the ridge changed) but the framework and teeth are still good.

What part of a partial is rebased?

The base portions — the resin/acrylic that sits on the edentulous ridge areas (where teeth are missing) and holds the replacement teeth there. The framework (the metal skeleton or flexible structure), clasps, and teeth are kept; it's the base resin that adapts to the ridge that's renewed. For a cast partial, the base material on the framework is replaced (the framework stays).

Why does a partial stop fitting?

Because the edentulous ridge areas (the gum/bone where teeth are missing) resorb/change over time, so the base portions that were made to fit them no longer adapt (the tissues shrink away beneath the base). The partial becomes loose/ill-fitting in those areas, may rock, and loses support. Relining or rebasing re-adapts the base to the changed ridge.

What's the difference between a rebase and a reline?

A reline adds a new layer of material to the fitting surface of the base portions (resurfacing). A rebase replaces the base material (a more thorough renewal of the base, keeping the framework and teeth). A rebase is more extensive — chosen when the base should be replaced, not just resurfaced. Both preserve the framework and teeth.

Why not make a new partial?

Often the framework (especially a precision cast metal one — a costly, custom part) and the teeth are still good; only the base's fit is the problem. A rebase reuses the good framework and teeth and renews just the base — more economical than a whole new partial. (If the framework were damaged or the partial otherwise inadequate, a repair or new partial might be considered.)

Is it covered, and what does it cost?

Cost reflects replacing the base portions (more than a reline, often with lab work, but less than a new partial) — typically low hundreds, varying by region/lab. Coverage depends on the plan: relines/rebases usually aren't covered for a period after the original partial, with frequency limits afterward (some plans specify cast partials). Verify your specific coverage.

This page is an independent, plain-language explanation for general information only. It is not billing, coding, or clinical advice. For the official CDT descriptor and current-year wording, refer to the American Dental Association.