D7320 is the CDT code for an alveoloplasty not in conjunction with extractions, involving four or more teeth or tooth spaces per quadrant — the surgical reshaping of the alveolar ridge when no teeth are extracted at the same visit. It is reported per quadrant, not per tooth.
Informational only — confirm the official CDT descriptor and your payers' rules independently. This is general guidance, not billing, coding, or clinical advice.
When to Use the D7320 Code
Report D7320 when the dentist recontours the bony ridge in a quadrant without extracting teeth at that visit and four or more teeth or tooth spaces are involved — typically a standalone procedure to prepare an edentulous or partially healed ridge for a denture or other prosthesis. The procedure usually involves elevating a mucoperiosteal flap and removing protuberant bone that would otherwise compromise the stability or comfort of a future prosthesis.
Match the code to the tooth count and the extraction context. D7321 is alveoloplasty without extractions for one to three teeth or tooth spaces per quadrant. When the alveoloplasty is performed in conjunction with extractions, use D7310 (four or more) or D7311 (one to three) instead. The key distinction for D7320 is that no extractions occur at the same visit.
Documentation & Clinical Scenarios
Strong documentation supports the standalone ridge procedure:
- Quadrant and tooth count confirming four or more teeth or tooth spaces are involved.
- Confirmation that no extractions were performed at the same visit in that quadrant.
- A surgical narrative describing flap elevation and removal of protuberant bone affecting prosthesis stability.
- The prosthetic indication — preparing the ridge for a denture or other appliance.
Any prosthetic work — the denture or appliance itself — is documented and billed under its own code. D7320 reports only the ridge-recontouring surgery, per quadrant.
Insurance & Billing Tips
- Verify benefits first. Confirm coverage for alveoloplasty performed as a standalone procedure and any prosthetic-need requirement.
- Bill per quadrant, not per tooth. One D7320 per qualifying quadrant; confirm four or more teeth or tooth spaces are involved.
- Confirm "no extractions" at the visit. If teeth are extracted in the same quadrant at the same visit, D7310/D7311 apply instead.
- Document significant recontouring. A narrative describing removal of protuberant bone supports medical necessity and reduces denials.
- Tie it to a prosthesis. Coverage often hinges on preparing the ridge for an upcoming denture; note the prosthetic plan.
Example Case
A patient who lost several lower-right teeth months ago returns to be fitted for a partial denture, but a ridge of protuberant bone in that healed quadrant would prevent the prosthesis from seating comfortably. With no extractions needed, the surgeon elevates a flap and recontours the ridge. Because four tooth spaces in the quadrant were involved and no extractions occurred, the procedure is reported as D7320 for that quadrant, with a narrative documenting the bone removal and the prosthetic indication attached.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is D7320 different from D7310?
The difference is whether extractions happen at the same visit. D7320 is alveoloplasty not in conjunction with extractions — the ridge is reshaped with no teeth removed at that appointment. D7310 is alveoloplasty performed with extractions in the same quadrant. Both require four or more teeth or tooth spaces per quadrant (the one-to-three versions are D7321 and D7311). Confirm whether extractions occurred before selecting the code.
Does D7320 include the denture or prosthesis?
No. D7320 covers only the surgical recontouring of the ridge. The denture, partial, or other prosthesis that follows is reported under its own prosthodontic code. Because alveoloplasty is often performed to prepare for a prosthesis, document the prosthetic plan — but bill the appliance separately so neither service is bundled incorrectly.
How often is D7320 covered?
Coverage depends on the payer and is usually tied to a documented prosthetic need rather than billed routinely. Carriers review standalone alveoloplasty for medical necessity and may deny it without evidence of significant bone recontouring affecting prosthesis stability. Verify coverage in advance and confirm the plan's rules for alveoloplasty performed without extractions.
Does D7320 require pre-authorization?
A pre-treatment estimate is often recommended because standalone alveoloplasty is reviewed closely. Submitting the quadrant, tooth count, the prosthetic indication, and a narrative describing removal of protuberant bone confirms coverage and reduces the chance of a denial on a procedure payers commonly scrutinize.
Confirm the current CDT descriptor and your specific payer policies before billing — browse the full dental code library or see our insurance verification feature.