Summary & Overview
CPT 41874: Alveoloplasty for Dental Prosthesis Preparation
CPT code 41874 represents alveoloplasty performed to prepare the alveolar ridge for a dental prosthesis. Clinically, the procedure smooths or reshapes the alveolar process to improve denture fit and to correct deformities caused by periodontal disease. The code is relevant nationally as part of routine pre-prosthetic oral surgery and factors into dental surgical utilization and coverage decisions across major payers.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context and service settings, common billing practices, and typical modifiers used with this type of service. The publication also summarizes benchmark measures and coverage considerations that influence how this procedure is billed and reimbursed by major payers.
This summary provides clinicians, billing professionals, and policy analysts with concise information on what CPT code 41874 denotes, where the service is typically provided, and which national payers are most commonly involved in coverage. Data not available in the input is identified where applicable.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 41874 describes alveoloplasty performed prior to placement of a dental prosthesis. The procedure involves reshaping and smoothing the alveolar process (the bony ridge that supports teeth) to facilitate proper fitting of a denture and to correct deformities that can result from periodontal disease.
Service type: Oral surgical procedure for prosthetic preparation
Typical site of service: Dental office or oral surgery clinic
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 67-year-old patient presents to an oral and maxillofacial surgery clinic with poorly fitting mandibular and maxillary partial dentures following progressive periodontal disease and ridge resorption. Clinical exam demonstrates sharp alveolar bony prominences and irregular residual ridges that impair denture seating and cause mucosal ulceration. After consultation, the surgeon schedules a surgical alveoloplasty prior to fabrication and placement of new complete dentures to contour the alveolar processes for a smooth denture-bearing surface. The typical workflow includes preoperative history and consent, local or general anesthesia selection, intraoral surgical smoothing of the alveolar ridges with rotary instruments and bone files, hemostasis and suturing as needed, postoperative instructions for denture remake and oral hygiene, and follow-up for healing and prosthesis fitting. Typical site of service is an outpatient dental/oral surgery clinic or ambulatory surgery center. Service type: outpatient surgical procedure performed by a dentist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
22 | Increased procedural services | Use when the alveoloplasty requires substantially greater work, time, or complexity than usual due to extensive ridge contouring. |
23 |