What D7471 means

D7471 covers the removal of a lateral exostosis (maxilla or mandible). "D" is dental, "74" is this oral surgery (excisional/bony-growth-removal) group, and "71" is this lateral exostosis removal. An exostosis is a benign (non-cancerous) bony growth — an outgrowth of bone. A lateral exostosis is one on the lateral (side) surface — specifically the buccal/facial aspect (the cheek/lip side) of the maxilla (upper jaw) or mandible (lower jaw). D7471 is for surgically removing such a lateral exostosis. So when a benign bony prominence on the side of the upper or lower jawbone needs removal (because it interferes with function, a prosthesis, or causes problems), D7471 reports it.

So it's surgically removing a benign bony growth on the side (buccal/facial) of the upper or lower jawbone.

Exostoses (and tori, which are exostoses in specific locations) are common, benign bony growths — they're not dangerous in themselves, but may need removal if they cause problems: interfering with a denture or other prosthesis (the prosthesis can't fit over the bony growth), causing discomfort or irritation, interfering with function, or being subject to repeated trauma. D7471 specifically is for a lateral exostosis (buccal/facial surface of the maxilla or mandible). It's distinct from the torus codes: D7472 (torus palatinus — a growth on the midline of the hard palate) and D7473 (torus mandibularis — a growth on the inner/lingual surface of the lower jaw). So the location distinguishes these codes — D7471 is for the lateral (buccal/facial) exostosis. Removing it involves a surgical procedure (raising the gum, removing the bony growth, smoothing, and closing). Coverage is under oral surgery benefits (often related to prosthetic preparation, when the growth interferes with a denture); documentation of the necessity supports the claim.

When it's typically used

D7471 is reported for the surgical removal of a lateral exostosis — a benign bony growth on the side (buccal/facial surface) of the maxilla (upper jaw) or mandible (lower jaw) — when it interferes with function, a prosthesis (like a denture), or causes discomfort. It's distinct from removing tori (D7472 torus palatinus, D7473 torus mandibularis), which are in specific other locations.

How much does D7471 cost?

Removing a lateral exostosis is a moderate-to-significant fee, often roughly 400 to 900 USD depending on region and the size — for the surgical removal of the bony growth. It's often done in preparation for a denture (when the growth interferes). The fee reflects the surgical nature. Multiple sites would each be considered.

Is D7471 covered by insurance?

Covered under oral surgery benefits, often as prosthetic preparation (when the exostosis interferes with a denture or other prosthesis) or for symptoms. Documentation of the necessity (the bony growth interfering with a prosthesis, function, or causing discomfort) supports the claim. The location matters for coding — D7471 is a lateral (buccal/facial) exostosis, distinct from tori (D7472/D7473). Some plans may exclude pre-prosthetic surgery. Verifying coverage helps.

What a lateral exostosis is

A lateral exostosis is a benign bony growth on the side of the jaw, and understanding it clarifies what this removes.

An exostosis is a benign (non-cancerous) bony growth — an outgrowth or protrusion of bone from the normal bone surface. In the mouth, exostoses are common, benign bony prominences that can occur on the jawbones. A lateral exostosis specifically is one on the lateral surface — the buccal/facial aspect (the cheek side or lip side) of the maxilla (upper jaw) or mandible (lower jaw). So it's a bony bump/ridge on the outer (cheek/lip-facing) side of the upper or lower jawbone. These are made of normal, dense bone (just in an extra growth); they're benign (not tumors, not dangerous in themselves) and typically grow slowly. They're often covered by a thin layer of gum tissue.

Lateral exostoses (and tori) are relatively common and usually harmless — many people have them without issue. They become relevant when they cause problems (discussed next) — e.g., interfering with a denture. D7471 is for removing a lateral exostosis (one on the buccal/facial surface). This is distinguished by location from tori: a torus palatinus is on the palate (roof of the mouth), and a torus mandibularis is on the inner (tongue-side/lingual) surface of the lower jaw — those have their own codes (D7472, D7473). A lateral exostosis (buccal/facial) is D7471. The dentist identifies a lateral exostosis and removes it when warranted. For patients, understanding what a lateral exostosis is — a benign bony growth on the side (cheek/lip aspect) of the upper or lower jawbone — clarifies what this removes. It's a benign bony bump on the side of the jaw. The dentist removes it when warranted. Understanding this helps patients see that a lateral exostosis is a benign (non-cancerous) bony growth on the lateral (buccal/facial — cheek/lip side) surface of the maxilla or mandible — a common, usually-harmless bony prominence (made of normal dense bone) — which D7471 removes when warranted, distinguished by its location (the side of the jaw) from tori (on the palate or the inner lower jaw, coded D7472/D7473).

When it needs removal

A lateral exostosis needs removal in certain situations, and understanding them clarifies when this applies.

A lateral exostosis (being benign) doesn't always need removal — many are left alone if they cause no problems. It's removed when it causes problems or interferes with treatment. Common reasons to remove a lateral exostosis: interference with a prosthesis — most commonly, the bony growth interferes with a denture (or other prosthesis), preventing it from fitting properly over the area (the denture can't seat over the bony prominence, or it causes the denture to be ill-fitting/uncomfortable). Removing the exostosis allows the denture to fit. This is a frequent reason (pre-prosthetic surgery); discomfort or irritation — the exostosis (covered by thin tissue) may be subject to irritation, soreness, or repeated trauma (e.g., from food, or the thin overlying tissue getting injured), causing discomfort; interference with function — the growth may interfere with normal function (e.g., chewing, speaking) if large; or other problems — e.g., difficulty keeping the area clean, or recurrent issues. So removal is indicated when the exostosis causes such problems.

Conversely, an asymptomatic exostosis that isn't interfering with anything (and isn't planned to be under a prosthesis) may simply be monitored (left alone), since it's benign. So the decision to remove weighs whether it's causing problems or interfering with planned treatment (like a denture). When removal is indicated, D7471 is the procedure (for a lateral exostosis). The dentist assesses the exostosis and removes it when warranted. For patients, understanding when a lateral exostosis needs removal — when it interferes with a prosthesis, causes discomfort, or interferes with function — clarifies when this applies. Removal is for problematic growths. The dentist removes it when warranted. Understanding this helps patients see that a lateral exostosis is removed when it causes problems — most commonly interfering with a denture (preventing proper fit, a frequent reason for removal as pre-prosthetic surgery), or causing discomfort/irritation (the thin overlying tissue prone to soreness), or interfering with function — while an asymptomatic growth not interfering with anything may simply be monitored (being benign), with D7471 removing the exostosis when its removal is warranted.

The removal procedure

Removing a lateral exostosis involves a surgical procedure, and understanding it clarifies what's involved.

Removing a lateral exostosis involves a surgical procedure to access and remove the bony growth. The procedure generally involves: anesthesia — numbing the area (local anesthesia, sometimes with sedation); raising a flap — making an incision and lifting the soft tissue (gum) over the exostosis to expose the bony growth; removing the bony growth — removing the exostosis (using surgical instruments — burs, chisels, or similar — to take down the excess bone), reducing it to the level of the surrounding normal bone; smoothing — smoothing the bone surface (so it's even, with no sharp edges); and closing — repositioning the soft tissue and suturing it closed over the smoothed area. So the procedure exposes the bony growth, removes it, smooths the bone, and closes the tissue.

The procedure is done under local anesthesia (sometimes with sedation), as an outpatient procedure. After removal, there's healing (the gum heals over the smoothed bone), with post-operative care (managing the surgical site). The amount of bone removed and the time depend on the size of the exostosis. Once removed and healed, the area is smooth — allowing a denture to fit (if that was the reason) or resolving the discomfort. The oral surgeon (or dentist) performs the removal. For patients, understanding that removing a lateral exostosis involves a surgical procedure — exposing the bony growth, removing it, smoothing the bone, and closing — clarifies what's involved. It's a surgical removal of the bony growth. The surgeon performs it. Understanding this helps patients see that removing a lateral exostosis is a surgical procedure — numbing the area, raising a flap to expose the bony growth, removing the excess bone (reducing it to the level of the surrounding bone), smoothing the surface, and closing the tissue — done under local anesthesia (sometimes with sedation) as an outpatient procedure, followed by healing, resulting in a smooth area (allowing a denture to fit, or resolving discomfort).

Exostoses vs tori and the location codes

Exostoses and tori are coded by location, and understanding this clarifies the related codes.

The codes for removing these benign bony growths are distinguished by location — and understanding this clarifies the related codes. There are three main codes: D7471 — removal of lateral exostosis (maxilla or mandible): a bony growth on the lateral (buccal/facial — cheek/lip side) surface of the upper or lower jaw; D7472 — removal of torus palatinus: a torus (bony growth) on the midline of the hard palate (the roof of the mouth); D7473 — removal of torus mandibularis: a torus on the lingual (tongue side) surface of the mandible (lower jaw), typically in the premolar region (often bilateral). So tori are exostoses in specific characteristic locations (the palate midline, or the inner lower jaw), with their own codes, while D7471 is for a lateral (buccal/facial) exostosis. The location determines the code.

This matters for coding: the three codes address three different anatomic sites (with somewhat different surgical approaches), and shouldn't be substituted for one another. For example, a buccal/facial bony prominence is D7471 (a lateral exostosis), not D7473 (which is specifically a lingual lower-jaw torus); carriers cross-check the operative narrative against the code (a buccal-approach growth billed as a mandibular torus would be remapped to D7471). So the dentist codes by the precise location of the bony growth. Documentation should specify the location (supporting the correct code). So the dentist uses the location to pick D7471, D7472, or D7473. The dentist codes by the location. For patients, understanding that exostoses and tori are coded by location — D7471 (lateral/buccal exostosis), D7472 (palatal torus), D7473 (lingual mandibular torus) — clarifies the related codes. The location determines the code. The dentist codes by it. Understanding this helps patients see that the bony-growth-removal codes are distinguished by anatomic location — D7471 for a lateral exostosis (buccal/facial surface of the upper or lower jaw), D7472 for a torus palatinus (midline of the palate), and D7473 for a torus mandibularis (lingual surface of the lower jaw) — three different sites that shouldn't be substituted for one another, with the dentist coding by the precise location of the growth (documented in the operative note) so the correct code is used.

Frequently asked questions

What is the D7471 dental code?

It's the removal of a lateral exostosis (on the maxilla or mandible) — surgically removing a benign bony growth on the side (buccal/facial — cheek/lip surface) of the upper or lower jawbone. It's done when the growth interferes with function, a prosthesis (like a denture), or causes discomfort. It's distinct from removing tori (D7472/D7473).

What is a lateral exostosis?

A benign (non-cancerous) bony growth on the lateral (buccal/facial — cheek/lip side) surface of the maxilla or mandible — a common, usually-harmless bony prominence made of normal dense bone, often covered by thin gum tissue. It's distinguished by location from tori (on the palate or inner lower jaw).

When does it need removal?

When it causes problems — most commonly interfering with a denture (preventing proper fit, a frequent reason as pre-prosthetic surgery), causing discomfort/irritation (the thin overlying tissue being prone to soreness), or interfering with function. An asymptomatic growth not interfering with anything may simply be monitored (being benign).

What does the removal involve?

A surgical procedure — numbing the area, raising a flap to expose the bony growth, removing the excess bone (reducing it to the level of the surrounding bone), smoothing the surface, and closing the tissue. It's done under local anesthesia (sometimes with sedation) as an outpatient procedure, followed by healing.

How much does it cost?

Often around 400 to 900 USD, depending on the size, for the surgical removal of the bony growth. It's often done in preparation for a denture (when the growth interferes). The fee reflects the surgical nature; multiple sites would each be considered.

How is it different from removing tori?

The codes are distinguished by location. D7471 is for a lateral exostosis (buccal/facial surface of the upper or lower jaw). D7472 is for a torus palatinus (midline of the palate). D7473 is for a torus mandibularis (lingual/tongue-side surface of the lower jaw). The location determines the code; they shouldn't be substituted.

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.