Looking for the operculum removal ADA dental code?

Operculum removal dental code is D7971.

What is an operculum?

Operculum is the name we give to tissue covering a partially erupted tooth. We often see this on lower back molars of younger adults and kids.

What is the cost to remove the operculum? You will need to know the operculum removal dental code to find this!

The website fair consumer health will tell you what the fee for this service is in your area. Once on the website click dental and type in the code D7971. The fee is likely around $500 as of 2023. If you have dental insurance it will cover a portion of this but not all of it.

How do you remove the excess tissue?

Most dentists today will remove the tissue with either a laser, bur or a blade. The laser tends to be a cleaner option in the sense there is less bleeding during and after the procedure. The dentist will get the area numb and remove the amount of tissue they feel is appropriate. There is typically very minimal pain after the tissue removal. There may be some minor oozing or bleeding from the area for a day or so.

When should you remove the operculum?

Typically we remove the excess tissue when it is causing pain. The main causes of pain are from the tissue getting bitten or from pericornitis. We may also remove the tissue if the tooth needs dental work. If the tooth needs dental work, like a filling, the tissue will be in the way. Sometimes we will remove the tissue to make the tooth more cleansable when it appears that the body is no longer going to push the tissue out of the way by itself.

Are there any operculum removal dental code alternatives?

Perhaps there is a dental code that you can use besides the dental code D7971. One might also use D7972 if the operculum is covering the upper teeth and the tuberosity needs reduction. The code D7972 is typically a code we use when there is excess tissue in the tuberosity area and we are fabricating a denture.

Below is a photo  of a case of operculum on an upper maxillary tooth. Although we did not use the alternative code for this case, there may be times where one could.