Exostosis

An exostosis is a benign outgrowth of bone on the surface of the jaw. These bony projections can occur on the buccal (cheek-side) surfaces of the maxilla or mandible, on the palate (where they are specifically called torus palatinus), or on the lingual surface of the mandible (torus mandibularis). Exostoses are generally asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during routine dental examinations or radiographic evaluation. They grow slowly over time and are composed of dense cortical bone covered by a thin layer of mucosa.

Surgical removal of exostoses becomes clinically indicated when the bony growths interfere with prosthetic treatment, cause recurrent trauma to the overlying soft tissue, or complicate periodontal maintenance. The most common scenario in practice involves a patient who requires a removable prosthesis but has bony undercuts or projections that prevent proper seating and retention of the appliance. CDT code D7473 covers the removal of exostosis, while related torus removals may be coded under D7471 (palatal) or D7472 (mandibular). The distinction between these codes is based on the anatomical location of the growth, and selecting the correct code is essential for clean claim submission.

When managing revenue cycles, exostosis removal claims benefit from thorough pre-operative documentation. Clinical photographs, radiographs, and a detailed narrative explaining why the bony growth must be removed before proceeding with the overall treatment plan provide the strongest support for reimbursement. Many insurance carriers require pre-authorization for these surgical procedures, and some plans exclude them unless the practice can demonstrate functional impairment. Practices that proactively obtain pre-authorization and include supporting documentation with the initial claim submission experience fewer denials and faster payment turnaround on these cases.