A flipper tooth is billed as an interim partial denture. The code is D5820 for the upper arch and D5821 for the lower arch.
Interim means the plate is meant to hold the space while the gum heals or a longer term appliance is planned. Most dental plans know these two codes, and many people wear the same flipper for years anyway. You do not need a code to order a flipper tooth from $319, but it helps when you ask your plan about reimbursement.
| Appliance | Code | Online price |
|---|---|---|
| Flipper, interim partial, upper | D5820 | $319 acrylic, $349 semi-flex, $399 flexible |
| Flipper, interim partial, lower | D5821 | Same as upper |
| Acrylic partial denture, upper and lower | D5211 and D5212 | $469 an arch |
| Flexible base partial, upper and lower | D5225 and D5226 | $549 for 2 to 5 teeth, $649 for 6 to 8 |
| Cast metal partial, upper and lower | D5213 and D5214 | $749 an arch |
| Unilateral partial, Nesbit | D5282 to D5285 | $349 |
The first two digits say what family the code is in, D52 is removable prosthodontics, D58 is interim appliances. The last digits say the arch and the material. Dentists pick the code, the plan pays by the code, and the price on the invoice is a separate number.
A plan that covers removable partials usually pays a share of D5820 and D5821 after the deductible, often 50 percent, with a yearly cap. Some plans add a missing tooth clause, which means they will not pay for a tooth that was already missing before the plan started.
HSA and FSA cards work without a code at all, because a flipper is a dental appliance that replaces a missing tooth. Keep the itemized receipt, and check with your plan administrator if you want to be sure.
The code is not the price. The same D5820 flipper is $300 to $1,000 at a dental office, with the exam and the visits billed on top, and $319 an arch online with the impression kit and postage inside the number.
The code is also not a guarantee of coverage. Two plans can read D5820 differently, so the only way to know is to call the number on your card and ask.
A Nesbit is a unilateral partial denture, codes D5282 to D5285 depending on the arch and the material. Ours is a semi-flex build at $349, see the Nesbit partial denture page.
Orthodontic retention is D8680 and a replacement retainer is D8703 or D8704. When the retainer carries a tooth, offices often bill it as an interim partial, D5820 or D5821.
No. The code only matters when you ask a plan to pay a share. Ordering here is a normal online order with the impression kit mailed to you.
Yes, a flipper replaces a missing tooth, so HSA and FSA cards work here. Keep the itemized receipt and check with your plan administrator.
Interim means temporary in the billing language. In practice many people wear a flipper for years, and the code does not limit how long you keep it.