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Dental coding with Kyle: D4250—Therapeutic clinical crown lengthening, hard tissue modification


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Objective: Therapeutic clinical crown lengthening (D4250) is a vital procedure for cases where a tooth has sustained significant damage or decay, making conventional restoration with a crown challenging. This procedure becomes necessary when minimal tooth structure remains, requiring meticulous tissue manipulation, including removing bone and soft tissue, to expose an adequate portion of the tooth for proper restoration.


Key Points for Dental Coding and Insurance Claims:


  1. Use the Correct Code: Ensure you use the D4250 code specifically for procedures involving modifying hard tissue (bone).

  2. Insurance Scrutiny: Dental insurance providers will closely scrutinize the patient's plan limitations and exclusions when adjudicating the claim. This procedure is typically limited to once per lifetime per affected tooth.

  3. Avoid Claim Rejections: If a restorative procedure is performed on the same tooth on the same day as crown lengthening, the claim will likely be rejected for payment. Plan treatments accordingly to avoid this issue.

  4. Detailed Narrative: Provide a detailed narrative indicating the percentage of remaining tooth structure post-crown lengthening. This information is crucial for the insurance review process.

  5. Required Documentation: Pre-op and post-op X-rays must be submitted with the claim form. Additionally, comprehensive periodontal charting should accompany the submission. Merely submitting X-rays without a detailed narrative is insufficient to ensure coverage and reimbursement.


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