What D7311 means

D7311 covers alveoloplasty in conjunction with extractions, one to three teeth or tooth spaces, per quadrant. "D" is dental, "73" is this oral surgery group, and "11" is this code. Like D7310, it's for alveoloplasty (the surgical recontouring/smoothing of the alveolar ridge — the bony ridge that holds/held the teeth) performed in conjunction with extractions (at the same time as removing teeth). The difference is the extent: D7311 is for one to three teeth or tooth spaces per quadrant (a smaller extent), whereas D7310 is for four or more teeth or tooth spaces per quadrant (a larger extent). So when significant ridge recontouring (beyond routine extraction smoothing) is done alongside extractions in a quadrant involving one to three teeth/spaces, D7311 reports it.

So it's significantly reshaping the bony ridge at the same time as extracting teeth, in a quadrant with one to three teeth or tooth spaces involved.

As with D7310, alveoloplasty (D7311) is a separate and distinct procedure from the extractions — not the routine, minor bone smoothing inherent in an extraction, but additional, significant recontouring of the ridge (e.g., to prepare for a prosthesis or correct irregularities). The extractions are coded separately, and D7311 reports the alveoloplasty for the one-to-three-teeth/spaces extent. It's reported per quadrant (so if done in multiple quadrants, the appropriate code is reported for each, based on the count in each). Because the recontouring must be significant and distinct, documentation is important (to avoid the payer bundling it into the extraction). Coverage is under oral surgery benefits (often related to prosthetic preparation). The main distinction from D7310 is simply the number of teeth/spaces involved (one to three for D7311).

When it's typically used

D7311 is reported for alveoloplasty (significant surgical reshaping of the alveolar ridge) performed in conjunction with extractions, in a quadrant involving one to three teeth or tooth spaces (a smaller extent than D7310's four or more). It's a separate, distinct procedure from the extractions (not routine smoothing), reported per quadrant.

How much does D7311 cost?

Alveoloplasty with extractions (one to three teeth/spaces per quadrant) is a moderate fee, often roughly 150 to 400 USD per quadrant depending on region — for the ridge recontouring (separate from the extraction fees). It's typically somewhat less than D7310 (which is for a larger extent, four or more). The fee is per quadrant.

Is D7311 covered by insurance?

Covered under oral surgery benefits (often as prosthetic preparation), but commonly scrutinized — many payers bundle alveoloplasty into the extraction. To support D7311 as separate, the operative note must document the distinct, significant recontouring (beyond routine extraction smoothing) and its necessity. D7311 is for one to three teeth/spaces per quadrant (four or more is D7310). Using the correct code for the count matters. Verifying coverage and documenting thoroughly helps.

Alveoloplasty for one to three teeth/spaces

D7311 is for a smaller extent of alveoloplasty, and understanding this clarifies the code.

D7311 is for alveoloplasty (with extractions) involving one to three teeth or tooth spaces per quadrant — a smaller extent than D7310 (four or more). The mouth is divided into four quadrants, and within a quadrant, the alveoloplasty may involve a smaller area (one to three teeth/spaces, coded D7311) or a larger area (four or more, coded D7310). So D7311 covers the situation where the significant ridge recontouring done with extractions involves one to three teeth or tooth spaces in the quadrant. This might be the case when fewer teeth are extracted in a quadrant (or fewer spaces need recontouring), but the ridge still needs significant reshaping (beyond routine smoothing) in that smaller area.

The alveoloplasty itself is the same kind of procedure (reshaping/smoothing the ridge to create a smooth contour) — D7311 just reflects a smaller extent (one to three teeth/spaces) than D7310. As with D7310, it's done in conjunction with extractions (at the same time as removing teeth) and is a distinct procedure from the extractions. The code is reported per quadrant, so the count is assessed per quadrant. So D7311 is the code when the alveoloplasty (with extractions) in a quadrant involves one to three teeth/spaces. The dentist codes by the count in the quadrant. For patients, understanding that D7311 is for a smaller extent of alveoloplasty (one to three teeth/spaces per quadrant) clarifies the code. It's the smaller-extent version. The dentist codes by the count. Understanding this helps patients see that D7311 covers alveoloplasty (with extractions) involving one to three teeth or tooth spaces per quadrant — a smaller extent than D7310 (four or more) — the same kind of ridge-recontouring procedure (done alongside extractions) but for a smaller area in the quadrant, with the code reported per quadrant and chosen by the number of teeth/spaces involved.

D7311 vs D7310: the tooth count

D7311 and D7310 differ by the tooth count, and understanding this clarifies which applies.

The difference between D7311 and D7310 is the number of teeth or tooth spaces involved per quadrant. D7311: one to three teeth or tooth spaces per quadrant. D7310: four or more teeth or tooth spaces per quadrant. Both are alveoloplasty in conjunction with extractions; they differ only in extent (the count). So to choose between them, the number of teeth/spaces involved in the quadrant is counted: one to three → D7311; four or more → D7310. This count is per quadrant (assessed separately for each quadrant if multiple quadrants are treated). Getting the count right is important for correct coding — using the wrong code for the count would be denied or require correction (e.g., billing D7310 when only three teeth/spaces were involved would be corrected to D7311).

So the dentist counts the teeth/spaces in the quadrant and codes accordingly. If three or fewer, D7311; if four or more, D7310. The documentation should support the count (e.g., noting which teeth/spaces were involved). This distinction (the count) is the main thing separating the two codes — otherwise they describe the same procedure (alveoloplasty with extractions). So the dentist uses the count to pick the right code. The dentist codes by the per-quadrant count. For patients, understanding that D7311 and D7310 differ by the tooth count (one to three vs four or more per quadrant) clarifies which applies. The count determines the code. The dentist counts and codes. Understanding this helps patients see that D7311 (one to three teeth/spaces) and D7310 (four or more) differ only by the number of teeth or tooth spaces involved per quadrant — both being alveoloplasty in conjunction with extractions — so the dentist counts the teeth/spaces in the quadrant to choose the correct code (one to three → D7311; four or more → D7310), with the documentation supporting the count for accurate billing.

Distinct from the extraction

Alveoloplasty is distinct from the extraction, and understanding this clarifies the billing (as with D7310).

As with D7310, alveoloplasty under D7311 is a separate and distinct procedure from the extractions — and understanding this clarifies the billing. When a tooth is extracted, some minor, routine smoothing of the bone is an inherent part of the extraction (and is included in the extraction). Alveoloplasty is more than this — it's additional, significant recontouring of the ridge (reshaping it substantially, e.g., to prepare for a prosthesis or correct irregularities), distinct from the routine smoothing. So even when done at the same time as extractions, the alveoloplasty (D7311) is a distinct procedure (the significant recontouring), reported separately from the extractions (which have their own codes).

Because of this, the same documentation considerations as D7310 apply: many payers may bundle alveoloplasty into the extraction unless it's clearly documented as a distinct, significant procedure. So the operative note should document the significant recontouring performed (beyond routine smoothing) and its necessity, to support billing D7311 separately. Without this, the payer may not pay separately for the alveoloplasty. So establishing the alveoloplasty as distinct (through documentation) is important for D7311 (as for D7310). The dentist documents the distinct recontouring. For patients, understanding that the alveoloplasty (D7311) is distinct from the extraction — and must be documented as such — clarifies the billing. It's a separate, significant procedure. The dentist documents it. Understanding this helps patients see that alveoloplasty (D7311), like D7310, is a separate and distinct procedure from the extractions — the significant ridge recontouring (beyond the routine smoothing inherent in an extraction) — so it's reported separately from the extractions, with documentation of the distinct, significant recontouring and its necessity important to support separate reimbursement (since payers may otherwise bundle it into the extraction).

Preparing the ridge for a prosthesis

Alveoloplasty often prepares the ridge for a prosthesis, and understanding this clarifies a common purpose.

A common purpose of alveoloplasty (D7311, and the related codes) is preparing the ridge for a prosthesis — and understanding this clarifies why it's done. When teeth are removed and a prosthesis (like a denture, or a partial denture) will replace them, the ridge needs to be smooth and well-shaped for the prosthesis to fit comfortably and function well. An uneven ridge — with sharp edges, bony projections, or undercuts — could make a denture uncomfortable (causing sore spots) or interfere with its fit/seating. Alveoloplasty reshapes the ridge into a smooth, even contour suitable for the prosthesis. So when extractions are done in preparation for a denture (or other prosthesis), alveoloplasty is often done to prepare the ridge — and D7311 reports it (for one to three teeth/spaces per quadrant).

This is especially relevant for immediate dentures (a denture placed right after extractions) — the ridge must be appropriately shaped at the time of the extractions for the immediate denture to fit. Alveoloplasty (with the extractions) creates that suitable ridge. So preparing the ridge for a prosthesis is a key reason for alveoloplasty. (Other reasons include correcting bony irregularities causing discomfort or functional problems.) The dentist performs alveoloplasty to prepare a suitable ridge for the prosthesis. For patients, understanding that alveoloplasty often prepares the ridge for a prosthesis — smoothing it so a denture fits comfortably — clarifies a common purpose. It readies the ridge for the prosthesis. The dentist does it for that. Understanding this helps patients see that a common purpose of alveoloplasty (D7311 and related codes) is preparing the ridge for a prosthesis — reshaping the ridge into a smooth, even contour so a denture (or other prosthesis) fits comfortably and functions well (avoiding sore spots or fit problems from an uneven ridge) — especially relevant for immediate dentures (placed right after extractions), with the alveoloplasty creating the suitable ridge for the prosthesis.

Frequently asked questions

What is the D7311 dental code?

It's alveoloplasty in conjunction with extractions, one to three teeth or tooth spaces per quadrant — the significant surgical reshaping of the alveolar ridge at the same time as removing teeth, in a quadrant involving one to three teeth/spaces (a smaller extent than D7310's four or more). It's reported per quadrant.

How is D7311 different from D7310?

They differ by the number of teeth or tooth spaces involved per quadrant. D7311 is for one to three teeth/spaces; D7310 is for four or more. Both are alveoloplasty in conjunction with extractions — the count determines which code applies (assessed per quadrant).

What is alveoloplasty?

The surgical recontouring (reshaping and smoothing) of the alveolar ridge — the bony ridge that holds/held the teeth — to create a smooth, even ridge (removing sharp edges, projections, and undercuts), typically to prepare the ridge for a denture or correct bony irregularities.

Is it separate from the extraction?

Yes — alveoloplasty is a separate and distinct procedure from the extractions, not the routine, minor smoothing inherent in removing a tooth, but additional significant recontouring of the ridge. The extractions are coded separately; D7311 reports the additional alveoloplasty.

How much does it cost?

Often around 150 to 400 USD per quadrant for the ridge recontouring (separate from the extraction fees). It's typically somewhat less than D7310 (which is for a larger extent, four or more teeth/spaces). The fee is per quadrant.

Why is documentation important?

Many payers bundle alveoloplasty into the extraction unless it's clearly documented as a distinct, significant procedure. The operative note must document the significant recontouring (beyond routine smoothing) and its necessity to support billing D7311 separately, and support the one-to-three count.

This page is an independent, plain-language explanation for general information only. It is not billing, coding, or clinical advice. For the official CDT descriptor and current-year wording, refer to the American Dental Association.