D5933 — Obturator prosthesis, modification
D5933 is a modification to an obturator already in use, as the defect or the remaining teeth change.
There are eleven codes for obturator and resection prosthesis and they are not interchangeable. This page covers this one; the obturator and resection prosthesis guide covers the treatment they all share.
The sections below cover the conditions built into the code, what it tends to cost, what a dental plan is likely to pay, and where the line falls between this code and the ones next to it.
The nearby codes and how they differ
D5932 — Obturator prosthesis, definitive: It is the same procedure with one word changed: definitive rather than modification.
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.
D5931 — Obturator prosthesis, surgical: It is the same procedure with one word changed: surgical rather than modification.
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.
D5933 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 D5933
What does dental code D5933 mean?
D5933 records obturator prosthesis, modification — one of the maxillofacial prosthetics codes.
What should I expect to pay for D5933?
Plan for $400–$1,200 as the full fee. Two practices a few miles apart can sit at opposite ends of that range for the same work.
Will my plan pay for D5933?
In most cases yes, at the medical / maxillofacial rate: variable. The annual maximum is what usually decides how much of that you actually see.
What is the difference between D5933 and D5932?
D5932 is obturator prosthesis, definitive: it is the same procedure with one word changed: definitive rather than modification. Everything else about the appointment is identical, so the record has to show that one detail for D5933 to be the defensible code.
Also known as: obturator, palatal defect, oral cancer prosthesis, maxillary resection, speech aid.