Summary & Overview
CPT 41805: Dentoalveolar Soft Tissue Foreign Body Removal
CPT code 41805 designates removal of an embedded foreign body from dentoalveolar soft tissues with application of antiseptic solution. This procedural code captures a focused oral surgery intervention commonly performed in dental clinics and oral and maxillofacial surgery practices. Accurate coding supports clinical documentation, claims processing, and uniform reporting of minor oral surgical procedures nationwide.
Key payers covered in this analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find an overview of clinical context for the procedure, typical sites of service, and commonly used modifiers and operational considerations. The publication summarizes coding characteristics and payer coverage patterns where available, and highlights areas where input data is limited.
This briefing is intended for billing professionals, dental and oral surgery providers, and payer policy staff seeking a concise reference on use and classification of CPT code 41805. It provides practical context for documentation and claims submission without offering clinical recommendations.
Billing Code Overview
CPT code 41805 describes a procedure in which the provider identifies soft tissues in the dentoalveolar structures containing an embedded foreign body, removes the foreign body, and applies an antiseptic solution. The service type is foreign body removal from oral soft tissues. The typical site of service is a dental or oral surgery setting, such as an outpatient dental clinic, oral and maxillofacial surgery practice, or ambulatory surgical center.
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A patient presents to an oral and maxillofacial clinic or emergency dental office after sustaining intraoral trauma or during routine dental care with an embedded foreign object in the dentoalveolar soft tissues (for example, a splintered tooth fragment, piece of dental instrument, fish bone, or other sharp material). The typical patient is an adult or child with localized pain, swelling, or a visible puncture wound of the gingiva, vestibule, or floor of mouth. Examination includes focused history, extraoral and intraoral inspection, palpation to localize the foreign body, and imaging when indicated (periapical radiograph, occlusal film, or CBCT if radiopaque object suspected). Under local anesthesia, the dental or oral surgery provider identifies and exposes the embedded foreign body in the soft tissues of the dentoalveolar region, removes the foreign body, irrigates the wound, and applies an antiseptic solution. Hemostasis is obtained and, if necessary, primary closure or referral is arranged. Typical sites of service are outpatient dental clinics, ambulatory surgical centers for complex cases, and emergency departments when referred. The clinical workflow commonly involves documentation of informed consent, operative note describing localization and removal, type and size of foreign body, anesthesia used, antiseptic applied, and post-procedure instructions.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
25 | Significant, separately identifiable evaluation and management service by the same physician on the same day of the procedure |