
Dental Code D4260; Osseous surgery (including elevation of a full thickness flap and closure) – four or more contiguous teeth or tooth bounded spaces per quadrant
Dental Code D4260 refers to a specific dental procedure known as osseous surgery. This procedure involves the surgical treatment of gum disease that affects four or more adjacent teeth or tooth-bounded spaces within a single quadrant of the mouth.
Dental Code D4260 Price Range & Savings
On average, patients pay $940 for this D4260 service at the dentist's office, with as little as $730 charged for this in less expensive cities and as much as $1500 in more expensive cities.
Low cost of living | Medium cost of living | High cost of living |
Memphis (Tennessee), Cincinnati (Ohio) | Miami (Florida), Denver (Colorado), Austin (Texas) | (New York (New York), San Francisco (California) |
$730 | $940 | $1500 |
However, the price for the service D4260 depends not only on the region where you live, but also varies from dentist to dentist. Therefore, it makes sense to compare prices before choosing a dentist. The best way to do this price comparison is at Dr. BestPrice and save a lot of money.
What does Dental Code D4260 mean?
Dental Code D4260, also known as osseous surgery, is a specialized dental procedure aimed at treating moderate to severe gum disease, medically known as periodontitis. Periodontitis is a bacterial infection that affects the gums, underlying bone, and other supporting structures of the teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and other serious oral health complications. Osseous surgery is typically recommended when non-surgical treatments such as scaling and root planing (deep cleaning) have failed to adequately address the gum disease. The procedure involves the removal of diseased gum tissue and the reshaping of the underlying bone to eliminate deep gum pockets and promote gum tissue healing.
Evaluation and Planning
Before the osseous surgery, your dentist or periodontist will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and supporting structures. This evaluation may involve dental X-rays, measurements of gum pocket depths, and an assessment of any signs of infection or bone loss. Based on the evaluation, a customized treatment plan will be developed to address your specific needs.
Anesthesia and Incision
On the day of the surgery, local anesthesia will be administered to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. Once the area is numb, a full-thickness flap, which is a small incision, will be made in the gum tissue to access the underlying bone and root surfaces.
The anesthesia eliminates any potential pain or discomfort during the procedure. The full-thickness flap allows the dentist or periodontist to have complete access to the affected area and perform the necessary treatments.
Accessing the Affected Area
After the flap is created, your dentist will carefully lift it to gain access to the diseased areas. This allows for better visibility and enables the removal of bacteria, tartar, and damaged tissues from the root surfaces and surrounding bone.
The lifting of the gum flap allows the dentist to visualize the extent of the gum disease and remove any diseased tissue or debris that may be present. It also provides access to the root surfaces and underlying bone, which need to be thoroughly cleaned and treated.
Scaling and Root Planing
Using specialized dental instruments, your dentist will perform scaling and root planing. This process involves the thorough cleaning and smoothing of the root surfaces to eliminate plaque, tartar, and toxins that have accumulated below the gumline. It helps to remove the bacteria responsible for the gum disease and promotes the reattachment of healthy gum tissue to the roots of the teeth.
Scaling involves the removal of plaque and tartar deposits from the surfaces of the teeth, both above and below the gumline. Root planing focuses on smoothing out the rough surfaces of the tooth roots to prevent further plaque and tartar buildup and facilitate gum tissue reattachment.
Bone Reshaping (Osseous Resection)
In cases where there is significant bone loss, your dentist may need to reshape the underlying bone to eliminate irregularities and create a more favorable environment for gum tissue reattachment. This process, known as osseous resection, involves removing or reshaping the affected bone using dental instruments or a laser.
Bone reshaping is performed to eliminate any irregularities or defects in the bone that may have occurred due to the progression of gum disease. By smoothing and reshaping the bone, the dentist creates a more even and healthy surface for the gum tissue to heal and reattach.
Flap Repositioning and Suturing
Once the necessary treatment steps are completed, the gum flap is repositioned and sutured back into place. The sutures help secure the flap and promote the healing process. In some cases, your dentist may use tissue-stimulating proteins or membranes to enhance healing and tissue regeneration.
The repositioning of the gum flap ensures that the treated area is protected and properly sealed. Sutures are used to hold the flap in place and facilitate healing. Tissue-stimulating proteins or membranes may be utilized to promote the growth of new tissue and enhance the healing process.
Postoperative Care
After the surgery, your dentist will provide detailed instructions on postoperative care. This may include recommendations for pain management, oral hygiene practices, and dietary restrictions. It is crucial to follow these instructions to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications.
Postoperative care involves taking appropriate measures to support the healing process. This may include taking pain medications as prescribed, maintaining good oral hygiene by gently brushing and flossing the treated area, and using antimicrobial mouth rinses as recommended. Your dentist may also advise you to avoid certain foods or activities that can hinder the healing process.
Summary of Dental Code D4260
Dental Code D4260, or osseous surgery, is a dental procedure performed to treat gum disease that affects four or more adjacent teeth or tooth-bounded spaces in a single quadrant of the mouth. The procedure involves the elevation of a full-thickness gum flap, thorough cleaning of the root surfaces, reshaping of the underlying bone if necessary, and repositioning of the flap followed by suturing. Osseous surgery is an effective treatment option for moderate to severe gum disease that has not responded to non-surgical therapies.
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