D5820 — Interim partial denture (maxillary)
An interim denture is a temporary appliance worn during a transitional period. D5820 is the version for the upper jaw.
This is one of four closely related interim denture codes. The treatment is explained in full in the interim denture guide — this page is about what makes this particular code different.
The sections that follow deal with the requirements, the fee, the claim, and the neighbouring codes — the last of which is where most of the confusion starts.
What the code commits to
Arch — upper. The palate provides broad support for anything removable, but the sinuses sit directly above the back teeth, which constrains surgical work.
Status — interim, not definitive. It is built to function for a limited period while something else is planned or healing, and many plans fold its fee into the definitive restoration if that follows within a few months.
The nearby codes and how they differ
D5821 — Interim partial denture (mandibular): It is the lower-jaw version.
D5811 — Interim complete denture (mandibular): It is the lower-jaw version.
D5810 — Interim complete denture (maxillary): It is the same procedure with one word changed: complete rather than partial.
Those three codes and D5820 are the whole group — nothing else describes this procedure. The descriptions differ by a few words and the fees differ by a great deal, which is why mixing them up is one of the commonest billing errors in dentistry. Ask which of these codes is being submitted and why.
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.
| Code | Procedure |
|---|---|
| D5820 | Interim partial denture (maxillary) — this page |
| D5810 | Interim complete denture (maxillary) |
| D5811 | Interim complete denture (mandibular) |
| D5821 | Interim partial denture (mandibular) |
Questions about D5820
What is D5820 on my dental bill?
It is the entry for interim partial denture, maxillary. A practice cannot use it for anything broader than that, which is what makes the code useful to you.
How much does D5820 cost?
The usual range is $500–$1,300. Anything well outside it is worth a question rather than an assumption.
Will my plan pay for D5820?
Typically, yes — major prosthodontic benefits, typically 50%. What varies between plans is the frequency limit rather than whether the procedure is covered at all.
What is the difference between D5820 and D5821?
D5821 is interim partial denture, mandibular: it is the lower-jaw version. Because that is the only difference, a reviewer who disagrees with it simply reprices the claim to D5821 rather than refusing it.
Also known as: interim denture, temporary denture, transitional denture, healing denture.