D5931 — Obturator prosthesis, surgical
D5931 is the surgical obturator, placed in theatre at the end of the operation so that the patient can eat and speak while healing.
eleven codes describe obturator and resection prosthesis, and this is one of them. What separates it from the other ten is the subject of this page; the obturator and resection prosthesis guide covers the treatment itself.
Below you will find what this code specifically requires, a realistic price range, the usual benefit handling, and where it stops applying and another code begins.
Not to be confused with
D5932 — Obturator prosthesis, definitive: It is the same procedure with one word changed: definitive rather than surgical.
D5933 — Obturator prosthesis, modification: It is the same procedure with one word changed: modification rather than surgical.
D5934 — Mandibular resection prosthesis with guide flange: It is the prosthesis for a jaw that has had part of it removed, with a flange that guides what remains into a usable bite.
D5935 — Mandibular resection prosthesis without guide flange: It is that same post-resection prosthesis without a guide flange, for a jaw that still closes along the right path.
D5931 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 D5931
What is D5931 on my dental bill?
It is the entry for obturator prosthesis, surgical. A practice cannot use it for anything broader than that, which is what makes the code useful to you.
Is D5931 expensive?
Typically $1,200–$4,000 before insurance, depending on local fees and the complexity of the individual case.
Does dental insurance cover D5931?
Plans generally pay it as medical / maxillofacial treatment, variable, subject to whatever is left of your maximum for the year.
What is the difference between D5931 and D5932?
D5932 is obturator prosthesis, definitive: it is the same procedure with one word changed: definitive rather than surgical. Everything else about the appointment is identical, so the record has to show that one detail for D5931 to be the defensible code.
Also known as: obturator, palatal defect, oral cancer prosthesis, maxillary resection, speech aid.