D5520 — Replace missing/broken denture teeth
D5520 replaces a denture tooth that has chipped or broken away from the base.
This is the most commonly reported of the eleven denture adjustment and repair codes, which is why it is the one people usually see on an estimate. The full account of the treatment is in our denture adjustment and repair guide.
Three things matter when this code turns up on paperwork: what it obliges the practice to have actually done, what it is worth, and which nearby code it is not. All three are set out below.
Where the line falls between D5520 and the rest
D5512 — Repair broken complete denture base, maxillary: It repairs the broken acrylic base of a complete upper denture.
D5511 — Repair broken complete denture base (lower): It repairs a cracked or broken acrylic base on a complete lower denture.
D5611 — Repair resin partial denture base, mandibular: It repairs the acrylic base of a lower partial denture.
D5622 — Repair cast partial framework, maxillary: It repairs the broken cast metal framework of an upper partial denture, which is laboratory work rather than a chairside fix.
D5520 sits in a group of eleven codes in total; the remainder are linked at the foot of this page. None of these are interchangeable, even though they sound as though they might be. Checking that the code on your estimate is the one that matches the planned treatment takes a minute and prevents most billing surprises.
Every code in this group
These codes describe the same broad procedure and differ in one respect each. Each has its own page with its own fee range and coverage notes.
Questions about D5520
What procedure is D5520?
D5520 records replace missing/broken denture teeth — one of the prosthodontics, removable codes.
What should I expect to pay for D5520?
Usually somewhere in $150–$400 as a gross fee. The code fixes what was done, not what it costs, so ask for the practice's own figure in writing.
Is D5520 a covered benefit?
Typically, yes — basic / major benefits, typically 50–80%. What varies between plans is the frequency limit rather than whether the procedure is covered at all.
What is the difference between D5520 and D5512?
D5512 is repair broken complete denture base, maxillary: it repairs the broken acrylic base of a complete upper denture. Because they describe different work, D5520 and D5512 can legitimately appear on the same treatment plan — they are not alternatives to choose between.
Also known as: denture repair, broken denture, denture adjustment, add tooth to denture, clasp repair.