D7210 is the CDT code for the surgical extraction of an erupted tooth that requires elevating a mucoperiosteal flap and removing bone and/or sectioning the tooth, including closure. It is the "surgical extraction" code for a non-impacted tooth that cannot be removed by simple elevation or forceps alone.
Informational only — confirm the official CDT descriptor and your payers' rules independently. This is general guidance, not billing, coding, or clinical advice.
When to Use the D7210 Code
Report D7210 when an erupted tooth requires surgical access to remove it — the dentist raises a flap, and removes bone and/or sections the tooth, then closes the site. This commonly applies to teeth that are broken down, ankylosed, severely curved, or otherwise non-restorable and not removable by simple means.
Code by what the procedure required and the tooth's status:
- If the tooth came out by simple elevation or forceps only, use D7140, not D7210.
- D7210 is for erupted teeth. Impacted teeth use the impaction series — soft-tissue (D7220), partially bony (D7230), or completely bony (D7240).
- Removing residual roots with a cutting procedure is D7250.
Documentation & Clinical Scenarios
Because D7210 is a surgical code, the operative detail is what supports payment:
- Tooth number and a clear diagnosis (non-restorable fracture, ankylosis, advanced disease).
- A pre-operative radiograph demonstrating the condition.
- An operative narrative documenting the surgical access — flap elevation, bone removal and/or sectioning of the tooth, and closure.
- Sutures and any complications, noted clearly.
The narrative is the deciding factor when a payer reviews whether the extraction was truly surgical rather than simple, so it should describe the surgical steps explicitly.
Insurance & Billing Tips
- Verify benefits first. Confirm surgical extraction coverage, any waiting period, and the remaining annual maximum.
- Document the surgical access. Without a narrative showing flap, bone removal, or sectioning, payers frequently down-code D7210 to a simple D7140.
- Bill separately what's separate. Sedation, bone grafts, and membranes are their own codes, not part of D7210.
- Attach the radiograph. A pre-op film plus the operative note is the strongest support for the surgical level.
- Read the EOB and appeal. If down-coded, resubmit with the operative narrative emphasizing the surgical steps.
Example Case
A 52-year-old presents with a molar fractured below the gumline and partially retained. The dentist diagnoses a non-restorable tooth #19, confirmed on a periapical radiograph. Simple elevation fails, so a mucoperiosteal flap is raised, buccal bone is removed, the tooth is sectioned and delivered, and the site is sutured. The procedure is reported as D7210 with an operative narrative documenting the flap, bone removal, and sectioning. Because the surgical access was clearly documented, the claim is paid at the surgical level rather than down-coded to a simple extraction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between D7140 and D7210?
Both remove an erupted tooth; the difference is the technique. D7140 is a simple extraction by elevation and/or forceps with no surgical access. D7210 is a surgical extraction requiring a mucoperiosteal flap and bone removal and/or sectioning of the tooth, plus closure. The deciding factor is what the procedure actually involved, documented in the operative note — if you raised a flap, removed bone, or sectioned the tooth, it is D7210; otherwise it is D7140.
Does D7210 include sedation, bone grafts, or sutures?
The surgical extraction and its closure (including suturing the site) are part of D7210, but sedation, socket preservation grafts, and membranes are separate procedures with their own CDT codes. Reporting them on the extraction line causes bundling denials. Each additional service should be billed on its own line and supported by its own documentation.
How is D7210 different from the impacted tooth codes?
D7210 is specifically for an erupted tooth that needs surgical removal. When a tooth is impacted — covered by soft tissue or bone — the impaction codes apply: D7220 for soft-tissue, D7230 for partially bony, and D7240 for completely bony impactions. Using D7210 for an impacted tooth, or an impaction code for an erupted tooth, is a common coding error that can trigger a denial.
Does D7210 require pre-authorization?
Many payers recommend or require a pre-treatment estimate for surgical extractions, since they are reviewed more closely than simple removals. Verify benefits, confirm any waiting period and remaining maximum, and submit the pre-op radiograph with the request when possible. Establishing the surgical necessity up front reduces the risk of a denial or a down-code to D7140 after the procedure.
Confirm the current CDT descriptor and your specific payer policies before billing — browse the full dental code library or see our insurance verification feature.