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    OpenPayerBilling CodesIncision Procedures on the Vestibule of MouthCPT cpt-40806-labial-frenum-incision
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    CPT 40806: Incision of Labial Frenum (Frenotomy)

    Medicare pays $106 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 40806 describes an incision of the labial frenum (the tissue tag attaching the upper or lower lip to the gums) without removal, typically performed as a frenotomy to release a tight frenum and surrounding tissues; this is an incision-only oral soft-tissue procedure commonly delivered in an ambulatory surgery center, dental office, or outpatient clinic for patients with restricted lip mobility or feeding/orthodontic concerns.

    For related coverage guidance, see recent payer policy updates: Orthognathic Surgery, Temporomandibular Disorders - Nonsurgical Treatment, Temporomandibular Disorders.

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a pediatric or adult outpatient presenting with a symptomatic tight labial frenum causing restricted lip mobility, gingival recession, gap between the upper central incisors (diastema), or interference with prosthetic appliance fit. The patient history includes localized tugging of the lip on the gingiva, speech articulation concerns, feeding difficulty in an infant, or recurrent gingival inflammation adjacent to the frenum. Examination documents a short, fibrous frenum with a high attachment to the alveolar mucosa or gingival margin. Treatment planning determines that a simple frenum incision without removal (frenulotomy) is appropriate.

    Workflow steps: initial evaluation by a general dentist, pediatric dentist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, or otolaryngologist; informed consent and explanation of procedure and risks; local anesthesia (topical and/or infiltration); use of scalpel or laser to incise the frenum tissue without excision; hemostasis and placement of simple sutures if needed; post-procedure instructions for wound care and activity restrictions; follow-up visit to assess healing and evaluate need for additional interventions (e.g., frenectomy, orthodontic referral). Typical duration is brief and may be performed in a dental office, ambulatory surgical center, or outpatient clinic setting depending on patient age, cooperation, comorbidities, and anesthesia needs.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    40806Incision of labial frenum; provider incises frenum without removal (frenulotomy)Primary procedure described.
    40808Frenulectomy, lip or tongue, with removal of frenumPerformed when excision rather than simple incision is required; may follow or replace 40806 if further tissue removal is indicated.
    41820Repair of mucogingival defectPerformed if procedure requires periodontal plastic surgery for recession or esthetic closure after frenum release.
    29120Application of local anesthesia/nerve block (Note: dental anesthesia codes vary)Represents anesthesia/analgesia services that may be billed in conjunction when appropriate.
    99213Office outpatient visit, established patientTypical evaluation and decision-making visit preceding the procedure in an outpatient setting.

    Related Modifiers

    9 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    52Modifier ‑52 (Reduced Services) indicates that a service or procedure was partially reduced or omitted at the provider’s discretion, allowing reporting of the basic procedure number with a qualifier…- Use modifier -52 when a physician or qualified health professional electively reduces or omits part of a procedure or service (for example, performing fewer required views or omitting a portion of…
    53Modifier 53 (Discontinued Procedure) signals that a surgical or diagnostic service was begun by the physician but terminated because of extenuating circumstances that threatened the patient’s…- Use modifier -53 when a physician/qualified healthcare professional has started a surgical or diagnostic procedure (e.g., anesthesia administered, incision or scope insertion) and then discontinues…
    58Modifier 58 (Staged or related procedure/service by the same physician during the postoperative period) indicates that a subsequent procedure performed by the same provider during the…- Use modifier 58 when the same physician/QHP performs a procedure during the postoperative/global period of an earlier procedure and the subsequent procedure is either planned or anticipated…
    59Modifier 59 indicates a distinct procedural service when two procedures that are not normally billed together are clinically and procedurally separate. The CPT definition (as reiterated by CMS)…- Use modifier -59 to report a distinct procedural service when documentation supports that the procedure reported is not normally billed together with another service on the same day because of a…
    62Modifier 62 indicates that two surgeons function as co‑surgeons, each performing distinct parts of the same primary surgical procedure. It is appended to the primary procedure code (and any…- Use modifier -62 when two surgeons act as co‑surgeons (both primary surgeons) on a single definitive primary procedure, each performing distinct parts of the same surgical procedure (append -62 to…
    66Modifier 66 (Surgical Team) is used when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons on a single, highly complex procedure. The AMA defines it for use when a surgical team — often composed of…- Use modifier 66 when three or more surgeons act as primary surgeons working collaboratively as a surgical team on a single, highly complex or difficult procedure (for example organ…
    76Modifier -76, Repeat Procedure or Service by Same Physician or Other Qualified Health Care Professional, is appended when the same provider performs an identical, medically necessary procedure or…- Use modifier -76 when the same physician or other qualified health care professional performs an identical procedure or service a second (or subsequent) time on the same date of service and the…
    26Modifier 26 (Professional Component) identifies and bills only the professional portion of a split service — the physician’s interpretation, report, and medical judgment — when the technical…- Use CPT Modifier -26 when you are billing only the professional component (PC) of a split‑bill eligible service—i.e., you performed the physician interpretation, medical judgment and prepared a…
    51Modifier –51 (Multiple Procedures) is used when the same provider performs multiple procedures in the same session to identify secondary, non‑exempt procedures and indicate payment reduction logic…- Use modifier -51 when the same provider performs multiple distinct procedures during the same patient encounter: report the highest‑valued procedure first (no modifier) and append -51 to…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    261QR1100X
    372600000X
    2081N0008X
    314000000X
    2080P0214X
    204F00000X
    163WP0000X
    246YR1600X

    Related ICD-10-CM Codes

    19 rows

    ICD-10-CM CodeDescription
    K05.6Periodontal disease, unspecified
    K11.3Abscess of salivary gland
    K11.7Disturbances of salivary secretion
    K12.2Cellulitis and abscess of mouth
    K13.79Other lesions of oral mucosa
    L30.9Dermatitis, unspecified
    L98.8Other specified disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
    Q36.0Cleft lip, bilateral
    Q36.1Cleft lip, median
    Q38.0Congenital malformations of lips, not elsewhere classified

    Showing 1–10 of 19

    Related Payer Policy Updates

    Specialty: Dental/Oral & Maxillofacial1 / 2

    10 rows

    PolicyPayerEffective Date
    Orthognathic SurgeryCigna2026-10-15
    Temporomandibular Disorders - Nonsurgical TreatmentCareSource Georgia2026-10-01
    Temporomandibular DisordersAnthem2026-10-01
    Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint DisordersUnitedHealthcare2026-10-01
    IV Moderate Sedation, IV Deep Sedation, and General Anesthesia for Dental ProceduresAmbetter Georgia2026-10-01
    Orthognathic SurgeryPremera Bluecross2026-09-04
    Orthognathic SurgeryPremera Bluecross2026-09-04
    9.02.501 Orthognathic SurgeryPremera Bluecross2026-09-04
    Oral Surgery: Orthodontic Related ProceduresUnitedHealthcare2026-09-01
    Orthognathic SurgeryProvidence Health Plan2026-09-01

    Related Codes

    CPT-40800-ORAL-VESTIBULE-ABSCESS-DRAINAGE

    CPT 40800: Oral Vestibule Abscess/Cyst/Hematoma Drainage

    CPT-40801-ORAL-VESTIBULE-INCISION-DRAINAGE-COMPLEX

    CPT 40801: Drainage of Abscess/Cyst/Hematoma, Anterior Oral Vestibule

    CPT-40804-ORAL-VESTIBULE-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL-SIMPLE

    CPT 40804: Removal of Foreign Body from Oral Vestibule

    CPT-40805-ORAL-VESTIBULE-FOREIGN-BODY-REMOVAL

    CPT 40805: Removal of Foreign Body From Oral Vestibule

    Frequently Asked Questions

    References

    1. 1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.Maintains the CPT code set's official descriptions and guidelines, licensed from the American Medical Association, used as the definitional source for CPT codes on this page.
    2. 2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's quarterly release of HCPCS Level II codes and short/long descriptors, the source for HCPCS code definitions and update history.
    3. 3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Aug 11, 2026.CMS's complete ICD-10-CM diagnosis code list, used to cross-reference diagnosis codes associated with this procedure or service.
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