How does Medicare define excluded dental services under the Medicare benefit?
When an excluded service is the primary procedure involved, it is not covered regardless of its complexity or difficulty. The following examples are not covered: • The extraction of an impacted tooth; • An alveoloplasty (the surgical improvement of the shape and condition of the alveolar process) and a frenectomy when either of these procedures is performed in connection with an excluded service; e.g., the preparation of the mouth for dentures. • The removal of the torus palatinus (a bony protuberance of the hard palate) could be a covered service. However, with rare exception, this surgery is performed in connection with an excluded service, i.e., the preparation of the mouth for dentures. Under such circumstances, this service is not covered.
