Operculectomy Dental Code, Procedure, Steps, Cost

Content

• What is Operculectomy? 
• Operculectomy Dental Code
• Operculectomy Dental Procedure
• Operculectomy Dental Steps
• Operculectomy Dental Cost 

What is Operculectomy? 

Operculectomy dental procedure is a common intervention in dentistry aimed at resolving issues related to impacted or partially erupted teeth, particularly the third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth.

Operculectomy Dental Code

In dental coding, the common code used to report an Operculectomy procedure is D7286. This code specifies the surgical removal of an operculum to facilitate the eruption of an impacted tooth or to aid in oral hygiene access. Proper coding ensures accurate documentation and billing for dental procedures, facilitating reimbursement from insurance providers and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

Operculectomy Dental Procedure

Operculectomy is a surgical procedure performed to remove the operculum, which is a flap of gum tissue that partially covers the crown of an erupting tooth. This commonly occurs in cases of impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth, where the operculum can become inflamed, infected, or contribute to the retention of food debris, leading to discomfort, pain, and oral hygiene issues.

Operculectomy Dental Steps

Patient Evaluation: The dentist conducts a thorough examination of the patient's oral health and assesses the impacted or partially erupted tooth requiring Operculectomy.

Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is administered to numb the area, ensuring the patient's comfort during the procedure.

Incision: A small incision is made in the gum tissue to access the operculum covering the tooth.

Operculectomy: Using specialized instruments, the dentist carefully removes the operculum, taking care to minimize trauma to the surrounding tissues.

Irrigation and Closure: The area is irrigated to remove debris and bacteria, and the wound may be sutured closed if necessary.

Post-operative Care: Patients are provided with instructions for oral care and pain management to promote healing and prevent complications.

Follow-up: Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to monitor healing and address any post-operative issues.

Operculectomy Dental Cost 

The cost of an Operculectomy, a dental procedure that entails the total elimination of gum tissue covering a wisdom tooth buried beneath it, may vary from $50 to $300 per tooth, in addition to the general surgery expenses. Typically, this operation is conducted when the wisdom tooth is impacted, necessitating the elimination of surplus gum tissue to ease the extraction process. The expense of an Operculectomy can fluctuate based on the dental practitioner and the precise details of the procedure.