CPT® Code 21031

The procedure described by CPT® Code 21031 refers to the excision of a torus mandibularis, which is a bony growth located on the lingual surface of the mandible, typically near the bicuspid teeth. This growth is classified as a developmental anomaly and is characterized by its slow growth pattern. Although these bony protrusions, known as torus mandibularis, do not usually manifest until adulthood, they can vary significantly in size and shape. They may present as a single nodule or as multiple nodules that can fuse together. Surgical intervention is generally indicated only when the torus mandibularis interferes with the placement of dentures or when the growth becomes large enough to pose a risk of injury or ulceration. During the excision procedure, an incision is made in the mucosa that covers the bony growth, allowing for direct access to the lesion. The torus is then carefully removed, either by chiseling it off the bone cortex or by utilizing a bone bur for excision. This procedure is specifically coded as 21031, distinguishing it from the excision of a maxillary torus palatinus, which is coded as 21032.