Complete loss of teeth due to caries, class IV

This code signifies the complete absence of all natural teeth in a patient, where the primary etiology for this edentulism is extensive dental caries. It specifically indicates a Class IV classification, implying a severe and widespread carious process leading to the loss of the entire dentition.

Use this code when documentation clearly states that a patient is fully edentulous and the cause is attributed to advanced dental decay. This typically applies to patients presenting for prosthetic rehabilitation (e.g., complete dentures) where the history confirms caries as the reason for tooth extraction. Supporting documentation would include dental records detailing the extent of caries and subsequent extractions.

• Ensure documentation explicitly links the complete tooth loss to dental caries, not other causes like periodontal disease or trauma.
• Distinguish from partial edentulism due to caries; this code is only for complete loss.
• Do not use if the cause of edentulism is unspecified or due to congenital absence.