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Official Description

Removal of embedded foreign body from dentoalveolar structures; soft tissues

© Copyright 2025 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 41805 refers to the procedure involving the removal of an embedded foreign body from the dentoalveolar structures, specifically targeting the soft tissues. This procedure is typically performed when a foreign object, such as a piece of food, dental material, or other debris, becomes lodged in the soft tissue of the gums. The presence of such foreign bodies can lead to inflammation, infection, or discomfort, necessitating their removal to restore oral health. It is important to note that this code specifically applies to cases where the foreign object is situated within the soft tissues, as opposed to the underlying bone, which would be coded differently under CPT® Code 41806. The distinction between these two codes is crucial for accurate medical coding and billing, ensuring that the procedure is documented correctly for reimbursement and compliance purposes.

© Copyright 2025 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The procedure associated with CPT® Code 41805 is indicated in several scenarios where a foreign body is embedded in the soft tissues of the gums. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Embedded Foreign Body The presence of a foreign object, such as food particles, dental materials, or other debris, lodged in the soft tissue of the gums, causing discomfort or potential infection.
  • Inflammation or Infection Symptoms of inflammation or infection in the gum tissue that may arise due to the foreign body, necessitating its removal to alleviate symptoms and prevent further complications.
  • Trauma Cases of trauma to the oral cavity where foreign objects may become embedded in the soft tissues, requiring surgical intervention for removal.

2. Procedure

The procedure for the removal of an embedded foreign body from the soft tissues of the gums involves several key steps, which are outlined as follows:

  • Step 1: Patient Preparation The patient is positioned comfortably, and the area around the embedded foreign body is prepared for the procedure. This may include the application of a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort during the removal process.
  • Step 2: Identification of the Foreign Body The clinician carefully examines the affected area to locate the embedded foreign body. This may involve visual inspection and palpation of the gum tissue to ascertain the size and depth of the object.
  • Step 3: Surgical Removal Using appropriate surgical instruments, the clinician makes a small incision in the soft tissue if necessary, to access the foreign body. The object is then carefully extracted from the gum tissue, ensuring minimal trauma to the surrounding area.
  • Step 4: Wound Closure After the foreign body has been removed, the clinician may choose to close the incision with sutures or allow it to heal naturally, depending on the extent of the tissue disruption and the clinician's judgment.
  • Step 5: Post-Procedure Care The clinician provides the patient with post-procedure care instructions, which may include recommendations for pain management, oral hygiene practices, and signs of potential complications to monitor.

3. Post-Procedure

Following the removal of the embedded foreign body, patients can expect a recovery period that may vary based on the extent of the procedure. Post-procedure care typically includes instructions to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent infection, as well as recommendations for pain relief, such as over-the-counter analgesics. Patients should be advised to monitor the surgical site for any signs of infection, such as increased swelling, redness, or discharge. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to ensure proper healing and to address any concerns that may arise during the recovery process.

Short Descr REMOVAL FOREIGN BODY GUM
Medium Descr RMVL EMBEDDED FB FROM DENTALVLR STRUXS SOFT TISS
Long Descr Removal of embedded foreign body from dentoalveolar structures; soft tissues
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 010 - Minor Procedure
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Office-based surgical procedure added to ASC list in CY 2008 or later with MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs; payment based on MPFS nonfacility PE RVUs.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P6C - Minor procedures - other (Medicare fee schedule)
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 29 - Oral and Dental Services
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Date
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Notes
2011-01-01 Changed Short description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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