2025 ICD-10-CM code K08.2
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Diseases of oral cavity and salivary glands - Other disorders of teeth and supporting structures Diseases of the digestive system Feed
Atrophy of the edentulous alveolar ridge.
Modifiers are not typically used with ICD-10 codes such as K08.2.
Medical necessity for procedures related to K08.2 (e.g., bone grafts, implants) is typically established by demonstrating compromised jawbone structure leading to difficulty with denture retention, mastication (chewing), speech, or esthetics. Supporting documentation should clearly outline these functional deficits to justify the treatment.
The clinical responsibility for diagnosing and managing alveolar ridge atrophy typically falls on dentists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons. This might involve assessing the degree of atrophy, evaluating the patient's oral health, and potentially recommending treatments like bone grafts or dentures to restore jawbone structure and function.
- Diseases of the digestive system
- K00-K14 Diseases of oral cavity, salivary glands and jaws > K08 Other disorders of teeth and supporting structures
In simple words: This code describes the shrinking of the jawbone after teeth are lost.The jawbone gets smaller because it no longer has teeth to support.
K08.2 in the ICD-10-CM classification system denotes atrophy of the edentulous alveolar ridge.This refers to the wasting away or decrease in size of the alveolar bone (the bone that supports the teeth) after tooth loss. The atrophy can vary in severity and affect either the mandible (lower jaw) or the maxilla (upper jaw), or both.Specific subcodes within K08.2 further specify the location and severity of the atrophy.
Example 1: A 70-year-old patient presents with significant bone loss in the mandible after years of complete edentulism (lack of teeth).Radiographic imaging reveals severe atrophy of the edentulous alveolar ridge. K08.2 is used to code this finding., A 65-year-old patient who has been edentulous for 15 years is being evaluated for dental implant placement.A pre-operative assessment reveals moderate atrophy of the maxilla, coded as K08.2., A patient has undergone multiple extractions due to severe periodontal disease.Subsequent follow-up reveals minimal atrophy of the mandible, which is appropriately coded as K08.2.
Clinical examination findings documenting the degree of alveolar ridge atrophy.Radiographic images (panoramic radiographs or CBCT scans) showing bone loss are essential for accurate assessment.Patient history, including the duration of edentulism and any relevant medical conditions.
** The severity of alveolar ridge atrophy can influence treatment planning.Mild atrophy may only require adjustments to dentures, whereas severe atrophy might necessitate bone grafting before implant placement.Further sub-classification of K08.2 (e.g., using 7th characters when available) improves coding precision.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to ICD-10 codes.
- Specialties:Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient or Outpatient), Dental Clinic