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.
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
Evaluation
Exam and imaging; sometimes a referral.
- 2
Anesthesia
Local anesthetic, with sedation if appropriate.
- 3
Procedure
Usually done in the office in one visit.
- 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.
| Imaging | Panoramic X-ray or CBCT. |
|---|---|
| Lab fee | Biopsy pathology is often billed by the lab. |
| Sedation | If 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.
| D7953 | Bone graft for ridge preservation, per site |
|---|---|
| D7310 | Alveoloplasty with extractions, four or more teeth per quadrant |
| D7311 | Alveoloplasty with extractions, one to three teeth per quadrant |
| D7320 | Alveoloplasty without extractions, four or more teeth per quadrant |
| D7321 | Alveoloplasty without extractions, one to three teeth per quadrant |
| D7471 | Removal of lateral exostosis (bony growth) |
| D7472 | Removal of torus palatinus (roof of mouth) |
| D7473 | Removal of torus mandibularis (lower jaw) |
| D7286 | Incisional biopsy of oral tissue, soft |
| D7510 | Incision and drainage of abscess, inside the mouth |
| D7921 | Collection and application of autologous blood concentrate |
| D7963 | Frenuloplasty |
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.
Related procedures
- Tooth extractionAn extraction removes a tooth that cannot be saved or is causing problems. Simple, surgical and impacted (including most wisdom teeth) extractions are coded and priced differently.
- Dental implantsAn implant replaces a missing tooth root with a post placed in the jawbone, topped with an abutment and a crown, bridge or denture. It is usually priced as several parts, which is why quotes vary so much.
- DenturesDentures replace missing teeth with a removable appliance. Complete dentures replace a whole arch; partial dentures fill gaps between natural teeth. Price depends on type, materials and whether extractions are needed.
- Sedation and anesthesiaSedation helps anxious patients or those having longer procedures stay comfortable. Options range from laughing gas to IV sedation and general anesthesia, each with its own fee and safety requirements.