CPT® Code 40844

The procedure known as vestibuloplasty, specifically coded as CPT® 40844, involves surgical intervention aimed at the vestibule of the mouth, which encompasses the mucosal and submucosal tissues of the lips and cheeks, while excluding the dentoalveolar structures. This surgical technique is primarily performed to restore the height of the alveolar ridge, which is the bony ridge in the upper and lower jaws that contains the sockets for teeth. In cases where patients present with conditions such as cleft lip and/or palate or other facial deformities, vestibuloplasty may be necessary to remodel the vestibular soft tissue and the underlying alveolar ridge bone. This remodeling is crucial for achieving both cosmetic and functional outcomes. Additionally, vestibuloplasty can be beneficial for edentulous patients who have a shallow vestibular sulcus, as it deepens the vestibule, thereby increasing the surface area available for better fitting of dentures or dental implants. The procedure can be categorized into anterior vestibuloplasty, which focuses on the area between the lips and the front teeth, and posterior vestibuloplasty, which addresses the tissue between the cheeks and the teeth. For the entire arch vestibuloplasty, an incision is made along the crest of the alveolar ridge and the unattached labiobuccal mucosa, extending from one retromolar pad to the other. This comprehensive approach allows for significant alterations to the vestibular area, enhancing both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the oral cavity.