How is D6115 different from D6111?

Fixed vs. removable. D6111 is a removable overdenture the patient snaps in and out. D6115 is fixed in place — the patient cannot remove it themselves; only a dentist can.

How is D6115 different from D6117?

Full- vs. partial-arch edentulism. D6115 applies when the entire mandibular arch has no remaining natural teeth. D6117 applies when the fixed implant prosthesis coexists with some remaining natural teeth on that arch.

How is D6115 different from D6118?

Definitive vs. interim. D6118 is the temporary fixed prosthesis worn during the healing period after implant placement. D6115 is the final, long-term prosthesis delivered afterward.

Is it billed separately from D6114?

Yes. D6114 (maxillary) and D6115 (mandibular) are separate line items, each with its own supporting implants and fabrication, even when both arches are treated in the same patient.

Is it covered by insurance?

Coverage varies widely and many plans apply an alternate-benefit clause, reimbursing at the rate of a conventional complete denture rather than the full implant-prosthesis fee, or exclude implant prosthetics altogether. Verify coverage with the relevant plan.

D6115 Dental Code: Fixed Implant Denture, Edentulous Mandibular Arch

Code Summary

D6115 is the CDT code for an implant/abutment-supported fixed denture replacing a completely edentulous mandibular (lower) arch — a full-arch prosthesis the patient CANNOT remove, screwed or cemented onto implants or abutments (the 'hybrid' or 'All-on-4/6' style restoration). It's the mandibular half of the fixed-complete-denture pair, completing D6114 (the maxillary/upper version).

What D6115 means

D6115 covers an implant/abutment-supported fixed denture for a completely edentulous mandibular arch. "Fixed" is the key word distinguishing this from a removable overdenture: the patient cannot take it out themselves — it's screwed or cemented onto multiple implants (typically 4-6) or their abutments, and stays in place permanently unless a dentist removes it. "Edentulous arch" means the entire lower jaw has no remaining natural teeth — the prosthesis replaces a full arch, not a partial span.

D6115 is the mandibular counterpart to D6114 (maxillary). The two are reported separately when both arches receive fixed implant dentures in the same patient, since each arch is its own prosthesis with its own set of supporting implants.

Distinguish D6115 from three neighboring concepts: from D6111 (implant/abutment-supported REMOVABLE denture, mandibular) by fixed vs. removable — D6111 patients can take the prosthesis out themselves, D6115 patients cannot; from D6117 (fixed denture for a PARTIALLY edentulous mandibular arch) by how much of the arch is edentulous — D6115 is for a fully edentulous arch, D6117 for one where some natural teeth remain; and from D6118 (INTERIM fixed denture, mandibular) by definitive vs. temporary — D6118 is the healing-phase prosthesis worn before D6115 is fabricated and delivered.

When it's typically used

D6115 is reported when a completely edentulous mandibular arch receives a definitive fixed (non-removable) implant/abutment-supported denture — the patient cannot remove the prosthesis themselves. It's distinguished from D6111 (same arch, but removable) by fixed vs. removable, from D6117 by full- vs. partial-arch edentulism, and from D6118 by definitive vs. interim/temporary status.

How much does D6115 cost?

A fixed complete mandibular implant denture is among the more expensive prosthodontic options, reflecting multiple supporting implants (typically 4-6), the associated surgical phase, and a full-arch fixed prosthesis. Coverage varies significantly by plan — many plans exclude implant-supported prosthetics entirely or apply an alternate-benefit clause downgrading to a conventional removable denture fee. Verify coverage with the relevant plan before treatment.

Is D6115 covered by insurance?

Coverage for D6115 varies widely. Because this is a high-cost, multi-implant prosthesis, many plans apply an alternate-benefit (LEAT — least expensive alternative treatment) clause, downgrading reimbursement to what a conventional complete denture would cost. Some plans exclude implant prosthetics entirely. Reporting the correct code — FIXED (D6115), not removable (D6111), and complete-arch (D6115), not partial-arch (D6117) — matters for accurate adjudication. Verifying benefits before treatment strongly recommended.

Frequently asked questions

What is the D6115 dental code?: It's the CDT code for a definitive, fixed (non-removable) implant/abutment-supported denture replacing a completely edentulous mandibular (lower) arch — the mandibular half of the fixed-complete-denture pair with D6114 (maxillary).
How is D6115 different from D6111?: Fixed vs. removable. D6111 is a removable overdenture the patient snaps in and out. D6115 is fixed in place — the patient cannot remove it themselves; only a dentist can.
How is D6115 different from D6117?: Full- vs. partial-arch edentulism. D6115 applies when the entire mandibular arch has no remaining natural teeth. D6117 applies when the fixed implant prosthesis coexists with some remaining natural teeth on that arch.
How is D6115 different from D6118?: Definitive vs. interim. D6118 is the temporary fixed prosthesis worn during the healing period after implant placement. D6115 is the final, long-term prosthesis delivered afterward.
Is it billed separately from D6114?: Yes. D6114 (maxillary) and D6115 (mandibular) are separate line items, each with its own supporting implants and fabrication, even when both arches are treated in the same patient.
Is it covered by insurance?: Coverage varies widely and many plans apply an alternate-benefit clause, reimbursing at the rate of a conventional complete denture rather than the full implant-prosthesis fee, or exclude implant prosthetics altogether. Verify coverage with the relevant plan.

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.