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    v1.0.30
    OpenPayerBilling CodesExcision and Destruction Procedures on the Vestibule of MouthCPT cpt-40819-frenulectomy-labial-buccal
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    CPT 40819: Labial or Buccal Frenectomy

    Medicare pays $287 on average nationally for this procedure.

    CPT code 40819 describes surgical removal of a labial or buccal frenum, a small membrane attachment of the lip or cheek; this procedure is an oral soft tissue frenectomy typically performed in an ambulatory surgical setting or dental/oral surgery clinic for functional or structural issues affecting the lip or cheek.

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

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    Table of contents

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    Clinical & Coding Specifications

    Clinical Context

    A typical patient is a pediatric or adult presenting to an ambulatory surgical center, dental clinic, or outpatient otolaryngology/oral surgery clinic for symptomatic labial or buccal frenulum causing tethering, feeding difficulty, speech impairment, gingival recession, or orthodontic concerns. The patient evaluation includes history of symptoms (breastfeeding difficulty in infants, speech/articulation issues in toddlers, gingival pull or gap between teeth in older children/adults), focused oral exam confirming a restrictive frenum, and discussion of risks and benefits.

    Preoperative workflow includes consent, medical history review, assessment for anesthesia needs (local with or without nitrous oxide for cooperative children; topical or infiltration local anesthesia for adults; general anesthesia for infants or uncooperative patients), and documentation of the frenum location (labial or buccal) and degree of restriction. The procedure involves excision or release of the frenum (frenectomy/frenotomy) with scalpel or electrocautery and hemostasis. Postoperative instructions address oral hygiene, bleeding precautions, analgesia, possible speech or feeding follow-up, and follow-up visit for wound check. Typical billing reflects a single-structure excision coded with 40819 for removal of the labial or buccal frenum, each.

    Related CPT Codes

    CPT CodeDescriptionRelationship to This Procedure
    40820Frenuloplasty, labial or buccal; such as Z-plasty or similar tissue rearrangementMay be performed when a simple frenectomy (40819) is insufficient and tissue rearrangement is required for functional or cosmetic reasons.
    99152Moderate sedation services provided by the same physician performing the procedure (initial 15 minutes)Often billed when moderate sedation is used during frenectomy in uncooperative pediatric patients or anxious adults.
    99499Unlisted evaluation and management serviceData not available in the input.
    12011Repair of wound of elbow/arm; Data not available in the input.Data not available in the input.
    41899Unlisted procedure, hemicranial/facial; Data not available in the input.Data not available in the input.

    Related Modifiers

    7 rows

    ModifierDescriptionWhen to Use
    25CPT modifier 25 indicates that on the same day as another procedure or service, the same physician or other qualified health care professional provided a significant, separately identifiable…- When to apply: Use modifier 25 only on an E/M code to indicate the same provider delivered a significant, separately identifiable E/M service on the same day as another procedure or service — i.e.,…
    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…
    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…
    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…
    77Modifier 77 indicates that a previously performed procedure or service was legitimately repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional. The AMA’s CPT definition…- Use modifier 77 when a basic procedure or service already performed is repeated by a different physician or other qualified health care professional (for example, a second provider independently…
    50Modifier –50 (Bilateral Procedure) is appended to a CPT code when an identical procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures during the same operative session. The AMA states to add…- Use modifier -50 when the same CPT surgical, diagnostic, or radiology procedure is performed on paired anatomical structures (both sides of the body) during the same operative/session by the same…

    Related Provider Taxonomies

    8 rows

    Taxonomy Code
    1223G0001X
    207Q00000X
    122300000X
    207L00000X
    207QD0401X
    225B00000X
    374U00000X
    1835G0303X

    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-40808-ORAL-VESTIBULE-BIOPSY

    CPT 40808: Biopsy, Excision of Vestibule of Mouth

    CPT-40810-EXCISION-ORAL-MUCOSA-SUBMUCOSA-LESION

    CPT 40810: Excision of Lesion of Anterior Oral Mucosa and Submucosa

    CPT-40812-ORAL-MUCOSA-SUBMUCOSA-LESION-EXCISION-SIMPLE-REPAIR

    CPT 40812: Excision of Anterior Oral Mucosa and Submucosa, Simple Repair

    CPT-40814-ORAL-MUCOSA-SUBMUCOSA-EXCISION-COMPLEX-REPAIR

    CPT 40814: Excision of Mucosa and Submucosa with Complex Repair

    CPT-40816-ORAL-MUCOSA-SUBMUCOSA-MUSCLE-EXCISION

    CPT 40816: Excision of Mucosa, Submucosa, and Underlying Muscle of Oral Vestibule

    CPT-40818-ORAL-MUCOSAL-GRAFT-HARVEST

    CPT 40818: Oral Vestibular Mucosal Graft Harvest

    CPT-40820-ORAL-VESTIBULE-LESION-ERADICATION-NONEXCISIONAL

    CPT 40820: Destruction of Lesion in 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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