D7960 was the CDT code for a frenulectomy — also called a frenectomy or frenotomy — the surgical removal or release of a frenum, performed as a separate procedure and not incidental to another procedure. It described excising the small band of tissue (commonly the lingual or labial frenum) that restricts movement.
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 D7960 Code
Historically, D7960 was reported when a frenum — most often the lingual frenum (tongue-tie/ankyloglossia) or the labial frenum between the front teeth or under the upper lip — was surgically removed or released as a distinct, standalone procedure rather than as part of another surgery.
Important: in the CDT updates effective January 1, 2021, D7960 was deleted and replaced by site-specific codes — D7961 for a buccal/labial frenectomy and D7962 for a lingual frenectomy. For any current date of service, confirm the active code with the latest CDT manual and your payer; many carriers now expect D7961 or D7962 rather than D7960. Frenuloplasty (excision with muscle repositioning and flap closure) is a different procedure reported with D7963.
Documentation & Clinical Scenarios
Whether using the historical code or the current replacements, frenum-release claims depend on showing functional necessity and the specific frenum:
- Site — lingual vs. buccal/labial frenum — to match the current site-specific code.
- Clinical findings — restricted tongue or lip movement, ankyloglossia, speech or feeding difficulty, a diastema, or periodontal/recession concerns.
- A narrative establishing that the release was a separate, medically or functionally necessary procedure, not incidental to another surgery.
- Provider type and setting, since infant tongue-tie releases may involve medical billing pathways.
Anything performed separately — for example, an orthodontic service or a soft-tissue graft at the same visit — is documented and billed under its own code.
Insurance & Billing Tips
- Confirm the current code first. For dates of service in 2021 and later, use D7961 (buccal/labial) or D7962 (lingual); submitting the retired D7960 may trigger a rejection.
- Document the specific frenum. The site determines the replacement code, so record lingual vs. labial clearly.
- Establish that it's a separate procedure. A frenectomy incidental to another surgery is generally not separately billable.
- Check medical vs. dental routing. Infant tongue-tie releases are sometimes billed to medical plans; verify before treatment.
- Keep a necessity narrative. Speech, feeding, periodontal, or orthodontic indications support both the claim and any appeal.
Example Case
A pediatric patient is referred for a prominent labial frenum contributing to a gap between the upper front teeth and complicating orthodontic treatment. The dentist performs a labial frenectomy as a distinct procedure with a narrative documenting the indication. Because the date of service is current, the office reports the procedure with the active replacement code D7961 (buccal/labial frenectomy) rather than the retired D7960, attaching the narrative. The claim is adjudicated under the current code set without a rejection for an outdated code.
Patients (and parents) call about tongue-tie or a gap, not the code. DentalReception AI answers and books those calls 24/7, captures symptoms and insurance details, and routes clinical and billing questions to your team. See how it handles child patient calls, or book a demo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is D7960 still an active CDT code?
No. D7960 was deleted effective January 1, 2021 and replaced with site-specific codes: D7961 for a buccal/labial frenectomy and D7962 for a lingual frenectomy. For any current date of service, you should report the applicable replacement code rather than D7960. Always confirm with the latest CDT manual and the payer, because submitting a retired code is a common reason claims are rejected.
How is a frenectomy (D7960/D7961/D7962) different from a frenuloplasty (D7963)?
A frenectomy/frenulectomy removes or releases the frenum. A frenuloplasty (D7963) involves excision of the frenum plus repositioning of aberrant muscle and a z-plasty or other local flap closure — a more involved surgical revision. The two are distinct procedures, so the choice depends on what was actually done, not simply which frenum was treated.
Will insurance cover a frenectomy?
Coverage varies and often depends on documented functional necessity — such as ankyloglossia affecting speech or feeding, a diastema, or periodontal concerns. Some infant tongue-tie releases are billed under medical rather than dental benefits. Because D7960 is retired, file with the current code (D7961 or D7962) and a supporting narrative, and verify benefits and routing before treatment to avoid an unexpected balance.
Does a frenectomy require pre-authorization?
Pre-authorization is not always required, but a pre-treatment estimate with a necessity narrative is recommended, especially when coverage hinges on functional indications. Submitting the specific frenum, the indication, and the current code up front confirms remaining benefits, clarifies medical-versus-dental routing, and reduces the chance of a denial or a surprise balance 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.