What D7473 means

D7473 covers the removal of a torus mandibularis. "D" is dental, "74" is this oral surgery group, and "73" is this torus mandibularis removal. A torus mandibularis is a specific type of benign bony growth (exostosis) located on the lingual surface (the tongue side, the inner surface) of the mandible (lower jaw) — typically in the premolar region (above the mylohyoid line). It's commonly bilateral (occurring on both the left and right sides of the lower jaw). It's a benign, common bony prominence (made of normal dense bone, covered by thin mucosa). D7473 is for surgically removing a torus mandibularis — done when it needs removal (e.g., it interferes with a lower denture, or causes other problems).

So it's surgically removing a benign bony growth from the inner (tongue-side) surface of the lower jaw, typically in the premolar area.

A torus mandibularis, being benign, often doesn't need removal — many people have them (often on both sides) without issue. It's removed when it causes problems, most commonly when it interferes with a lower denture (the bony growths on the inner lower jaw can prevent a lower denture from seating, or make it ill-fitting/uncomfortable) — so removing them allows the denture to fit. Other reasons include recurrent trauma/irritation (the thin overlying tissue getting injured), interference with function or speech, or difficulty with oral hygiene. D7473 specifically is for the torus mandibularis (the lingual lower-jaw location) — distinct from a lateral exostosis (D7471, buccal/facial surface) and a torus palatinus (D7472, palate). Note: a buccal/facial bony growth on the mandible is a lateral exostosis (D7471), not a torus mandibularis (which is specifically lingual). Removing a torus mandibularis is a surgical procedure (raising the lingual tissue, removing the bony growth, smoothing, closing). Coverage is under oral surgery benefits (often as prosthetic preparation); documentation of the necessity supports the claim.

When it's typically used

D7473 is reported for the surgical removal of a torus mandibularis — a benign bony growth on the lingual (tongue side) surface of the mandible (lower jaw), typically in the premolar region (often bilateral) — when it interferes with a prosthesis (like a lower denture), causes problems, or needs removal. It's distinct from a lateral exostosis (D7471) or a torus palatinus (D7472).

How much does D7473 cost?

Removing a torus mandibularis is a significant fee, often roughly 500 to 1,100 USD depending on region and the size — for the surgical removal of the lingual lower-jaw bony growth. Since tori mandibularis are often bilateral, both sides may need removal (potentially affecting the total). It's often done in preparation for a lower denture (when the growths interfere). The fee reflects the surgical nature.

Is D7473 covered by insurance?

Covered under oral surgery benefits, often as prosthetic preparation (when the torus mandibularis interferes with a lower denture) or for symptoms. Documentation of the necessity (the torus interfering with a prosthesis, causing problems, or being symptomatic) supports the claim. The location matters — D7473 is specifically a lingual lower-jaw torus, distinct from a buccal exostosis (D7471, which a buccal mandibular growth would be) or a torus palatinus (D7472). Some plans may exclude pre-prosthetic surgery. Verifying coverage helps.

What a torus mandibularis is

A torus mandibularis is a benign bony growth on the inner lower jaw, and understanding it clarifies what this removes.

A torus mandibularis is a specific, common type of benign bony growth (exostosis) located on the lingual surface (the tongue side — the inner surface facing the tongue) of the mandible (lower jaw). It's typically found in the premolar region (the area of the premolar teeth), above the mylohyoid line (a ridge on the inner lower jaw). It's commonly bilateral — occurring on both the left and right sides of the lower jaw (often fairly symmetrically). It's a benign bony prominence (made of normal, dense bone, covered by thin mucosa), grows slowly, and is benign (non-cancerous, not dangerous in itself). Tori mandibularis are common — present in a portion of the population (more common in some groups), often present without problems (the person may feel hard bumps on the inner lower jaw with their tongue).

The torus mandibularis is one of the common 'tori' (benign bony growths in characteristic locations), the other common one being the torus palatinus (on the palate). Being benign, a torus mandibularis is usually left alone unless it causes problems (discussed next). D7473 is specifically for removing a torus mandibularis (the lingual lower-jaw growth, in the premolar region) — distinct from other bony growths in other locations. Importantly, it's specifically the lingual (inner) torus — a buccal/facial (outer) bony growth on the mandible would be a lateral exostosis (D7471), not a torus mandibularis. The dentist identifies a torus mandibularis and removes it when warranted. For patients, understanding what a torus mandibularis is — a benign bony growth on the inner (tongue-side) surface of the lower jaw, typically in the premolar area and often on both sides — clarifies what this removes. It's a common, benign inner-lower-jaw bony bump. The dentist removes it when warranted. Understanding this helps patients see that a torus mandibularis is a common, benign (non-cancerous) bony growth on the lingual (tongue-side, inner) surface of the lower jaw — typically in the premolar region (above the mylohyoid line) and often bilateral (both sides) — a slow-growing bony prominence (of normal dense bone) often present without problems, which D7473 removes when warranted, specifically the lingual (inner) torus (a buccal/outer growth being a lateral exostosis, D7471).

When a torus mandibularis is removed

A torus mandibularis is removed in certain situations, and understanding them clarifies when this applies.

A torus mandibularis (being benign) usually doesn't need removal — most are left alone. It's removed when it causes problems or interferes with treatment. The most common reason: interference with a lower denture. A lower denture sits on the lower ridge, and tori mandibularis (bony prominences on the inner lower jaw) can interfere — preventing the denture from seating properly, causing it to be unstable or ill-fitting, creating sore spots over the bony growths, or compromising the denture's fit. So when a patient needs a lower denture and has tori mandibularis that interfere, they're removed to allow a proper denture fit. This is a frequent reason for removal (pre-prosthetic surgery). Since the tori are often bilateral, both sides may need removal.

Other reasons to remove a torus mandibularis: recurrent trauma/irritation — the thin tissue over the torus can be injured (e.g., by food), causing recurrent soreness or ulceration; interference with function or speech — large tori might affect tongue movement, speech, or comfort; difficulty with oral hygiene; or other problems. Conversely, asymptomatic tori not interfering with anything (and no denture planned) are usually just monitored (being benign). So removal is for problematic or interfering tori. When indicated, D7473 is the procedure (for each torus; both sides if bilateral). The dentist assesses the tori and removes them when warranted. For patients, understanding when a torus mandibularis is removed — mainly when it interferes with a lower denture, or causes recurrent irritation or other problems — clarifies when this applies. Removal is for problematic tori. The dentist removes them when warranted. Understanding this helps patients see that a torus mandibularis is removed mainly when it interferes with a lower denture (preventing proper fit/stability — a frequent reason, as pre-prosthetic surgery, and often bilateral so both sides may be removed), or when it causes recurrent trauma/irritation or interferes with function — while asymptomatic tori not interfering with anything are usually just monitored (being benign), with D7473 removing them when warranted.

The removal procedure

Removing a torus mandibularis involves a surgical procedure, and understanding it clarifies what's involved.

Removing a torus mandibularis involves a surgical procedure to access and remove the lingual lower-jaw bony growth. The procedure generally involves: anesthesia — numbing the area (local anesthesia, sometimes with sedation); accessing the torus — making an incision in the lingual tissue (on the tongue side of the lower jaw) over the torus and raising/reflecting the tissue to expose the bony growth (carefully, given the location near the floor of the mouth and the tongue); removing the bony growth — removing the torus (using surgical instruments to take down the bone, sometimes sectioning it), reducing it to the level of the surrounding bone; smoothing — smoothing the bone so it's even; and closing — repositioning the lingual tissue and suturing it closed. If bilateral, both sides are addressed (often in the same procedure). So the procedure exposes the torus, removes it, smooths the bone, and closes the tissue.

The lingual location has specific considerations — the surgeon works on the tongue side of the lower jaw (near the floor of the mouth), requiring careful tissue handling, and post-operative swelling in the floor of the mouth is managed. The procedure is done under local anesthesia (sometimes with sedation), as an outpatient procedure, followed by healing (with post-operative care). Once healed, the inner lower jaw is smooth — allowing a lower denture to fit (if that was the reason). The oral surgeon performs the removal. For patients, understanding that removing a torus mandibularis involves a surgical procedure — exposing the bony growth (on the inner lower jaw), removing it, smoothing, and closing (both sides if bilateral) — clarifies what's involved. It's a surgical removal of the lingual growth. The surgeon performs it. Understanding this helps patients see that removing a torus mandibularis is a surgical procedure — numbing the area, raising the lingual (tongue-side) tissue to expose the bony growth, removing the excess bone (reducing it to the surrounding level), smoothing, and closing the tissue (addressing both sides if bilateral) — done under local anesthesia (sometimes with sedation) as an outpatient procedure, with careful handling given the floor-of-mouth location, resulting in a smooth inner lower jaw (allowing a lower denture to fit, if that was the reason).

Lingual location and correct coding

The lingual location defines D7473, and understanding this clarifies correct coding.

The defining feature of a torus mandibularis (and D7473) is its lingual location — and understanding this clarifies correct coding. D7473 is specifically for a torus mandibularis — a bony growth on the lingual (tongue-side, inner) surface of the mandible, typically in the premolar region (above the mylohyoid line), often bilateral. This is distinct from the other bony-growth codes by location: D7471 — lateral exostosis: a bony growth on the buccal/facial (outer, cheek/lip side) surface of the maxilla or mandible; D7472 — torus palatinus: on the midline of the palate. So a torus mandibularis (D7473) is specifically the inner (lingual) lower-jaw growth.

A common coding point: a buccal/facial bony prominence on the mandible (outer side) is a lateral exostosis (D7471), not a torus mandibularis (D7473) — even though both are on the mandible, the torus mandibularis is specifically the lingual (inner) one. So the surface (lingual vs buccal) matters: lingual mandibular growth → D7473; buccal/facial mandibular growth → D7471. Carriers cross-check the operative narrative against the code (a buccal-approach mandibular growth billed as D7473 would typically be remapped to D7471). So the dentist codes by the precise location/surface — D7473 for the lingual mandibular torus. Documentation should specify the lingual location (supporting D7473). So the dentist uses the location to ensure correct coding. The dentist codes by the location/surface. For patients, understanding that the lingual location defines D7473 (distinct from a buccal mandibular growth, which is D7471) clarifies correct coding. The inner (lingual) location defines it. The dentist codes by it. Understanding this helps patients see that D7473 is defined by the lingual (tongue-side, inner) location of the torus mandibularis — distinct from a lateral exostosis (D7471, the buccal/outer surface, including buccal growths on the mandible) and a torus palatinus (D7472, the palate) — so the surface matters for coding (a lingual mandibular growth is D7473; a buccal/facial mandibular growth is D7471), with the dentist coding by the precise location (documented in the operative note) so the correct code is used, since carriers cross-check the location against the code.

Frequently asked questions

What is the D7473 dental code?

It's the removal of a torus mandibularis — surgically removing a benign bony growth on the lingual (tongue side, inner) surface of the mandible (lower jaw), typically in the premolar region (and often bilateral). It's done when the growth interferes with a prosthesis (like a lower denture), causes problems, or needs removal. It's distinct from a lateral exostosis (D7471) or a torus palatinus (D7472).

What is a torus mandibularis?

A common, benign (non-cancerous) bony growth on the lingual (tongue-side, inner) surface of the lower jaw, typically in the premolar region (above the mylohyoid line) and often bilateral (both sides). It's a slow-growing bony prominence (of normal dense bone) often present without problems.

When is it removed?

Mainly when it interferes with a lower denture (bony growths on the inner lower jaw can prevent proper fit/stability — a frequent reason, as pre-prosthetic surgery, and often both sides since they're bilateral), or when it causes recurrent trauma/irritation or interferes with function. Asymptomatic tori not interfering with anything are usually just monitored.

What does the removal involve?

A surgical procedure — numbing the area, raising the lingual (tongue-side) tissue to expose the bony growth, removing the excess bone (reducing it to the surrounding level), smoothing, and closing the tissue (addressing both sides if bilateral). It's done under local anesthesia (sometimes with sedation) as an outpatient procedure, with careful handling given the floor-of-mouth location.

How much does it cost?

Often around 500 to 1,100 USD, depending on the size, for the surgical removal of the lingual lower-jaw bony growth. Since tori mandibularis are often bilateral, both sides may need removal (potentially affecting the total). It's often done in preparation for a lower denture (when the growths interfere).

How is it different from a lateral exostosis (D7471)?

A torus mandibularis (D7473) is specifically on the lingual (tongue-side, inner) surface of the lower jaw. A lateral exostosis (D7471) is on the buccal/facial (outer, cheek/lip side) surface — including buccal growths on the mandible. So the surface matters: a lingual mandibular growth is D7473; a buccal/facial one is D7471.

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.