Overdentures on Natural Teeth: The Cheaper Full Arch
An overdenture fits over retained natural teeth rather than resting only on the ridge. A few strategically placed roots — often canines — are root-treated, reduced to just above gum level and covered with a coping, and the denture sits over them.
What overdenture on natural teeth involves
An overdenture fits over retained natural teeth rather than resting only on the ridge. A few strategically placed roots — often canines — are root-treated, reduced to just above gum level and covered with a coping, and the denture sits over them. The reason to do this is bone. A retained root keeps the bone around it, because bone maintains itself in response to the forces transmitted through a periodontal ligament. Remove every tooth and the ridge resorbs steadily for life; keep two roots and the bone in those areas largely stays. The denture also gains vertical support and considerably better stability than a conventional one.
When this treatment is used
Chosen when a patient is losing most of their teeth but a small number of roots are sound enough to keep, particularly in the lower jaw where conventional dentures perform worst. It is a good option for patients who are not candidates for implants.
The maintenance commitment
Retained roots under a denture need looking after. They are covered by an appliance that traps plaque against them, and decay and periodontal breakdown at the margin are the usual reasons they are eventually lost. That means meticulous cleaning of the roots themselves, fluoride, and regular recall visits. Patients who manage that do very well. Patients who do not lose the roots within a few years and end up with a conventional denture anyway — having paid for root canal treatment and copings along the way. Honest assessment of likely compliance is part of choosing this treatment.
Costs and insurance in summary
Typical fee range across the group: $0–$0 where a single band applies. Several codes here are priced individually and carry their own range on their own page. The denture fee alone. Root canal treatment and copings on the retained roots are separate and add substantially to the total.
Benefit category: Major prosthodontic, typically 50% on a typical plan. Covered as a prosthodontic benefit. Plans may apply an alternate benefit and pay only the allowance for a conventional denture, leaving the difference to the patient.
Common restrictions: Alternate benefit clauses may reduce payment to a conventional denture allowance; Root canal treatment and copings draw on other benefit categories; Replacement frequency limits apply as for conventional dentures.
The codes this guide covers
Each of these describes a variant of the same procedure. Follow a code for its own fee range, its coverage notes and what distinguishes it from the rest of the group.
| Code | Variant | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| D5863 | Overdenture — complete, on natural teeth (upper) — most reported | $1,800–$4,000 |
| D5864 | Overdenture — partial maxillary | $1,600–$3,600 |
| D5865 | Overdenture — complete, on natural teeth (lower) | $1,800–$4,000 |
| D5866 | Overdenture — partial, mandibular | $1,600–$3,600 |
Common questions
What is an overdenture?
A denture that fits over retained natural roots rather than resting only on the gum. The roots preserve bone and give the denture much better support and stability.
Why keep some roots under a denture?
Bone maintains itself around a tooth root. Keeping two or three roots largely preserves the ridge in those areas, whereas a fully edentulous ridge resorbs steadily for life.
Do the roots under an overdenture need special care?
Yes. They are covered by an appliance that traps plaque, so meticulous cleaning, fluoride and regular recall visits are essential. Decay at the margin is the usual reason they are lost.