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Extractions and oral surgery

Other oral surgery: treatment options and what affects the cost

Beyond extractions, common oral surgery procedures include bone grafting, smoothing or reshaping bone for dentures, removing bony growths, biopsies, draining infections and frenum procedures.

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No public price is listed for this treatment. Fees depend on your exam, and offices confirm whether they provide it.

What the treatment is

Oral surgery covers procedures on the gums, jawbone and soft tissues of the mouth. General dentists perform some; others are referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Many of these procedures are done to prepare for other treatment, such as dentures or implants, or to diagnose or treat a problem.

Why it may be recommended

  • Preparing the jaw for dentures or implants.
  • An infection that needs to be drained.
  • A spot in the mouth that needs a biopsy to find out what it is.
  • A tight tissue attachment (frenum) affecting the gums, speech or a denture.

Treatment types and variations

Tap a type to see when it is used and what to weigh. Your dentist recommends options after examining you.

Preparing for teeth replacement

Ridge preservation graftBone graft placed in a socket after extraction.
Codes to ask about
D7953
AlveoloplastyReshaping and smoothing the jawbone, with or without extractions.
Codes to ask about
D7310, D7311, D7320, D7321
Removing bony growths (tori and exostoses)Harmless bony bumps that can get in the way of a denture.
Codes to ask about
D7471, D7472, D7473
Sinus augmentationAdds bone under the sinus for upper implants. See the implant guide.
Codes to ask about
D7951, D7952
Platelet-rich fibrinA concentrate made from your own blood, sometimes used to support healing.
Codes to ask about
D7921

Diagnosis and infection

BiopsyRemoving a small piece of tissue to send to a lab.
Codes to ask about
D7286
Incision and drainageDraining an abscess to relieve swelling and infection.
Codes to ask about
D7510

Soft tissue

Frenectomy or frenuloplastyReleasing or reshaping a tight tongue-tie or lip-tie.
Codes to ask about
D7960, D7963

Materials and techniques

Bone graft materials
Your own bone, donor bone, animal-derived or synthetic materials; each has trade-offs your surgeon can explain.
Membranes and sutures
Used to protect grafts and close the site.

Benefits, limitations and possible risks

Benefits

  • Can make dentures fit better and implants possible.
  • Diagnoses or treats infections and abnormal tissue.

Limitations

  • Adds time and healing before final teeth.
  • Some procedures need a specialist referral.

Possible risks

  • Pain, swelling, bleeding and infection.
  • Graft failure or exposure.
  • Numbness near nerves in some procedures.
  • Biopsy results may lead to more treatment.

What happens during treatment

  1. 1

    Evaluation

    Exam and imaging; sometimes a referral.

  2. 2

    Anesthesia

    Local anesthetic, with sedation if appropriate.

  3. 3

    Procedure

    Usually done in the office in one visit.

  4. 4

    Follow-up

    Suture removal, healing checks or biopsy results.

Recovery and maintenance

  • Follow the surgeon's diet and cleaning instructions.
  • Avoid smoking, which slows healing.
  • Call the office for fever, spreading swelling or bleeding that does not slow.

What affects the cost

Procedure and extent
Per site, per quadrant or per arch, depending on the procedure.
Materials
Graft and membrane products add cost.
Specialist or general dentist
Oral surgeons' fees are usually higher.
Sedation
Billed separately.

Common additional charges

These are billed separately at many offices. Not every patient needs them.

ImagingPanoramic X-ray or CBCT.
Lab feeBiopsy pathology is often billed by the lab.
SedationIf used.

Procedure fee or total case cost?

Surgery fees are often one part of a larger plan, for example extractions, alveoloplasty and dentures. Ask for every phase and fee in writing.

Paying with insurance or without insurance

Dental plans usually cover oral surgery as a basic or major service. Some procedures, such as biopsies or treatment after an injury, may fall under medical insurance. Ask both insurers when it is unclear.

Alternative treatments

Alternatives depend on your teeth and health. Ask your dentist to explain the trade-offs of each option, including doing nothing.

Denture adjustments
Sometimes a denture can be modified instead of removing a bony growth.
Antibiotics alone
Not usually enough on their own for a dental abscess; the source must be treated.

Codes to ask your insurer about

Insurers price treatment by ADA CDT procedure code. The office confirms the exact code for your treatment; labels here are plain-English summaries.

D7953Bone graft for ridge preservation, per site
D7310Alveoloplasty with extractions, four or more teeth per quadrant
D7311Alveoloplasty with extractions, one to three teeth per quadrant
D7320Alveoloplasty without extractions, four or more teeth per quadrant
D7321Alveoloplasty without extractions, one to three teeth per quadrant
D7471Removal of lateral exostosis (bony growth)
D7472Removal of torus palatinus (roof of mouth)
D7473Removal of torus mandibularis (lower jaw)
D7286Incisional biopsy of oral tissue, soft
D7510Incision and drainage of abscess, inside the mouth
D7921Collection and application of autologous blood concentrate
D7963Frenuloplasty

Questions to ask your dentist

  • Why is this procedure needed, and what if I wait?
  • Is it done here or by a specialist?
  • What graft material will you use?
  • Is the lab or pathology fee included?

Frequently asked questions

Is a bone graft always needed after an extraction?

No. It is most often recommended when an implant is planned or the site is at risk of significant bone loss. Ask what happens without one.

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