What D5922 means

D5922 covers a nasal septal prosthesis. "D" is dental, "59" places it in the maxillofacial prosthetics area, and "22" is this nasal septal prosthesis. The 'nasal septum' is the internal wall (of cartilage and bone, covered by lining) that divides the nose into left and right passages. A 'nasal septal prosthesis' addresses a defect of that septum — most commonly a perforation (a hole through it). So D5922 is a custom device to close/manage a nasal septal defect.

So it's an internal nasal device (e.g., a septal button) that seals a hole or defect in the nasal septum.

A nasal septal perforation is a hole through the septum (connecting the two nasal passages), which can result from prior surgery, trauma, chronic irritation (e.g., certain medications/substances), inflammatory conditions, or other causes. A perforation can cause bothersome symptoms: whistling sounds during breathing (air passing through the hole), crusting and dryness, recurrent nosebleeds (epistaxis), and a sense of obstruction or altered airflow. A nasal septal prosthesis (commonly a 'septal button' — a custom or prefabricated device, often silicone, with flanges on each side and a connecting portion) is fitted into the perforation to seal it: the device plugs/closes the hole, restoring a more normal septal barrier — which relieves the whistling, reduces crusting/bleeding, and improves the airflow sensation. It's a non-surgical (or minimally invasive) alternative to surgical repair of the perforation (which can be difficult, especially for larger holes) — the prosthesis manages the symptoms by occluding the defect. A custom septal prosthesis (D5922) is fitted to the patient's specific perforation. (Note: this is distinct from the external nasal prosthesis D5913 — an artificial nose; D5922 is an internal device for the septum.) It's provided by a dentist/maxillofacial prosthodontist (or in coordination with ENT). Coverage is by report/medical necessity (often a medical/functional issue). This code is in the maxillofacial prosthetics area. Documentation supports the claim.

When it's typically used

D5922 is reported for a nasal septal prosthesis — a custom device (e.g., a septal button) fitted to close or manage a defect of the nasal septum, most commonly a septal perforation (a hole through the septum). It's used to relieve perforation symptoms (whistling, crusting, bleeding, airflow problems) by sealing the defect — a non-/minimally-surgical alternative to surgical repair. It's distinct from the external nasal prosthesis (D5913).

How much does D5922 cost?

A nasal septal prosthesis's cost reflects a custom-fitted device (designed/fitted to the patient's specific perforation) — generally far less than the external facial prostheses (it's a smaller internal device), though still custom work. Fees vary by region/setting. It's typically addressed as a medical/functional benefit (managing perforation symptoms), by report. Verify coverage with the relevant plan.

Is D5922 covered by insurance?

Coverage for a nasal septal prosthesis is usually a medical/functional matter (managing a septal perforation's symptoms), determined by report and medical necessity. Documentation of the perforation (size, cause, symptoms like whistling/bleeding/crusting) and the rationale for a prosthesis (e.g., vs surgical repair) supports the claim. Coordination with medical coverage (and possibly ENT) is often relevant. Verifying coverage helps.

What a septal perforation is

It's a hole through the nasal septum, and understanding this clarifies the code.

Understanding septal perforations clarifies D5922. The nasal septum is the internal dividing wall of the nose — made of cartilage (front) and bone (back), covered on both sides by mucosal lining (with a blood supply). It separates the nasal cavity into left and right passages. A septal perforation is a hole through this wall — an opening that connects the two nasal passages through the septum.

Perforations can arise from various causes: prior nasal/septal surgery (a complication), trauma (including repeated nose-picking), chronic irritation (e.g., from certain inhaled substances/medications, like overuse of some nasal sprays or cocaine use), inflammatory/autoimmune conditions, infections, or cautery for nosebleeds, among others. Once present, a perforation disrupts the normal septal barrier and airflow, often causing symptoms (next section). Small perforations may be asymptomatic, but many cause bothersome problems. The perforation itself can be difficult to repair surgically (especially larger ones), which is part of why a prosthesis (sealing the hole) is a useful option. So a septal perforation is a hole through the nasal divider, which D5922 addresses. Understanding this helps patients see that the nasal septum is the internal dividing wall of the nose (made of cartilage/front and bone/back, covered on both sides by mucosal lining with a blood supply, separating the nasal cavity into left and right passages), a septal perforation being a hole through this wall (an opening that connects the two nasal passages through the septum) — perforations arising from various causes (prior nasal/septal surgery/a complication, trauma/including repeated nose-picking, chronic irritation/e.g., from certain inhaled substances/medications like overuse of some nasal sprays or cocaine use, inflammatory/autoimmune conditions, infections, or cautery for nosebleeds, among others) — once present a perforation disrupting the normal septal barrier and airflow, often causing symptoms, small perforations possibly being asymptomatic but many causing bothersome problems, the perforation itself able to be difficult to repair surgically (especially larger ones), part of why a prosthesis/sealing the hole is a useful option.

Symptoms and how the prosthesis helps

It seals the hole to relieve symptoms, and understanding this clarifies the benefit.

Understanding the symptoms and relief clarifies D5922. A symptomatic septal perforation can cause: whistling — air passing through the hole during breathing can produce an audible whistling sound (a classic, bothersome symptom); crusting and dryness — the perforation disrupts normal airflow and mucosal moisture, leading to crusting (dried mucus) around the edges and dryness; nosebleeds (epistaxis) — the perforation edges can bleed (the disrupted lining and crusting predispose to recurrent bleeding); and airflow/obstruction sensations — altered, turbulent airflow through the perforation can cause a feeling of obstruction or abnormal breathing.

A nasal septal prosthesis (septal button) helps by sealing/occluding the perforation: plugging the hole — the device closes the opening, so air no longer passes through it (stopping the whistling); restoring the barrier — re-establishing a more normal septal surface reduces the turbulent airflow and the crusting/dryness at the edges; and reducing bleeding — by covering the perforation edges and restoring a smoother surface, it can reduce recurrent nosebleeds. So the prosthesis manages the perforation's symptoms by closing the defect — improving comfort and function without (necessarily) surgery. So D5922 relieves perforation symptoms by sealing the hole. Understanding this helps patients see that a symptomatic septal perforation can cause whistling (air passing through the hole during breathing producing an audible whistling sound, a classic bothersome symptom), crusting and dryness (the perforation disrupting normal airflow and mucosal moisture, leading to crusting/dried mucus around the edges and dryness), nosebleeds/epistaxis (the perforation edges able to bleed, the disrupted lining and crusting predisposing to recurrent bleeding), and airflow/obstruction sensations (altered turbulent airflow through the perforation causing a feeling of obstruction or abnormal breathing) — a nasal septal prosthesis/septal button helping by sealing/occluding the perforation (plugging the hole/the device closing the opening so air no longer passes through it/stopping the whistling, restoring the barrier/re-establishing a more normal septal surface reducing the turbulent airflow and the crusting/dryness at the edges, and reducing bleeding/by covering the perforation edges and restoring a smoother surface able to reduce recurrent nosebleeds) — so the prosthesis managing the perforation's symptoms by closing the defect (improving comfort and function without necessarily surgery).

Prosthesis vs surgical repair

A non-surgical option for the defect, and understanding this clarifies the choice.

Understanding the alternatives clarifies D5922. A symptomatic septal perforation can be managed in a couple of ways: surgical repair — surgery to close the perforation (e.g., advancing/grafting tissue flaps to cover the hole); this can be definitive but is technically challenging — success is harder for larger perforations (there may not be enough tissue to close a big hole reliably), and it's a surgical procedure with its own considerations; and a septal prosthesis (D5922) — a septal button (custom or prefabricated) is fitted into the perforation to seal it; this is non-surgical (or minimally invasive — often placed in-office), reversible, and can effectively manage symptoms regardless of perforation size (it occludes rather than biologically closing the hole); it's especially useful for larger perforations (hard to repair surgically) or for patients who prefer/need a non-surgical option.

So the prosthesis is an attractive option when surgical repair isn't feasible, isn't desired, or for symptom management — providing relief by sealing the defect. The choice between surgical repair and a prosthesis depends on the perforation (size, cause), symptoms, and patient/provider preference (often in consultation with ENT). D5922 is the prosthetic (non-surgical) approach. So D5922 is a non-surgical alternative to repairing the perforation. Understanding this helps patients see that a symptomatic septal perforation can be managed in a couple of ways — surgical repair (surgery to close the perforation, e.g., advancing/grafting tissue flaps to cover the hole, which can be definitive but is technically challenging, success being harder for larger perforations since there may not be enough tissue to close a big hole reliably, and it's a surgical procedure with its own considerations) and a septal prosthesis (D5922, a septal button/custom or prefabricated fitted into the perforation to seal it, non-surgical or minimally invasive/often placed in-office, reversible, and able to effectively manage symptoms regardless of perforation size since it occludes rather than biologically closing the hole, especially useful for larger perforations/hard to repair surgically or for patients who prefer/need a non-surgical option) — so the prosthesis being an attractive option when surgical repair isn't feasible, isn't desired, or for symptom management (providing relief by sealing the defect), the choice between surgical repair and a prosthesis depending on the perforation/size, cause, symptoms, and patient/provider preference (often in consultation with ENT), D5922 being the prosthetic/non-surgical approach.

Where D5922 fits in the codes

It's an internal nasal device, distinct from the external nose, and understanding this clarifies the coding.

Understanding where D5922 sits clarifies the coding. D5922 is among the maxillofacial prosthetics codes (D5900s), but it's an INTERNAL nasal device — for the septum — distinct from the external facial/nasal prostheses. The two nasal-related codes are easy to confuse: nasal prosthesis (D5913) — the EXTERNAL artificial nose (restoring a lost nose's appearance) — a facial prosthesis; and nasal septal prosthesis (D5922, this code) — an INTERNAL device for a septal defect/perforation (a septal button sealing a hole in the internal dividing wall) — a functional internal device, not an external cosmetic prosthesis.

So D5922 is precisely: a nasal SEPTAL prosthesis (internal, for a septal perforation/defect) — fundamentally different in purpose from D5913 (the external nose). It sits among the maxillofacial codes alongside the facial prostheses (nasal D5913, auricular D5914, orbital D5915, ocular D5916, facial D5919), the moulages (D5911/D5912), cranial (D5924), and others — but addresses an internal nasal/functional problem. The prosthodontist (often with ENT) codes D5922 when fitting a septal prosthesis for a perforation. So D5922 is the internal septal device among the maxillofacial codes. Understanding this helps patients see that D5922 is among the maxillofacial prosthetics codes (D5900s) but is an INTERNAL nasal device (for the septum), distinct from the external facial/nasal prostheses — the two nasal-related codes easy to confuse: nasal prosthesis (D5913, the EXTERNAL artificial nose/restoring a lost nose's appearance, a facial prosthesis) and nasal septal prosthesis (D5922, this code, an INTERNAL device for a septal defect/perforation, a septal button sealing a hole in the internal dividing wall, a functional internal device not an external cosmetic prosthesis) — so D5922 is precisely a nasal SEPTAL prosthesis (internal, for a septal perforation/defect, fundamentally different in purpose from D5913/the external nose), sitting among the maxillofacial codes alongside the facial prostheses (nasal D5913, auricular D5914, orbital D5915, ocular D5916, facial D5919), the moulages (D5911/D5912), cranial (D5924), and others, but addressing an internal nasal/functional problem, the prosthodontist (often with ENT) coding D5922 when fitting a septal prosthesis for a perforation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the D5922 dental code?

It's a nasal septal prosthesis — a custom device (often a 'septal button') that closes or manages a defect of the nasal septum (the internal wall between the nostrils), most commonly a septal perforation (a hole through it). Sealing the perforation relieves symptoms like whistling, crusting, bleeding, and airflow problems. It's an internal nasal device — different from the external nasal prosthesis (D5913).

What is a septal perforation?

A hole through the nasal septum — the internal wall of cartilage and bone that divides the nose into two passages. It can result from prior surgery, trauma, chronic irritation (certain sprays or substances), inflammatory conditions, or other causes. A perforation disrupts normal airflow and the septal barrier, often causing bothersome symptoms.

What symptoms does it relieve?

Sealing the perforation can stop whistling (air passing through the hole), reduce crusting and dryness around the edges, lessen recurrent nosebleeds, and improve the abnormal/turbulent airflow sensation. The septal button plugs the hole and restores a more normal septal surface, addressing the perforation's main symptoms — improving comfort and breathing.

How is it different from a nasal prosthesis (D5913)?

A nasal prosthesis (D5913) is the EXTERNAL artificial nose — it restores the appearance of a lost nose. A nasal septal prosthesis (D5922) is an INTERNAL device for a hole/defect in the septum (the inner dividing wall). So D5913 is cosmetic/external (a missing nose); D5922 is functional/internal (a septal perforation). Very different purposes despite both being 'nasal.'

Is it better than surgery for a perforation?

It depends. Surgical repair can be definitive but is technically challenging — harder for larger perforations (not enough tissue to close them reliably). A septal prosthesis (button) is non-surgical or minimally invasive, reversible, and can manage symptoms regardless of size (it seals rather than biologically closing the hole). It's especially useful for larger perforations or when surgery isn't desired. The choice is individualized (often with ENT).

Is it covered, and what does it cost?

Cost reflects a custom-fitted internal device — generally far less than the external facial prostheses (it's smaller), varying by region/setting. It's typically addressed as a medical/functional benefit (managing perforation symptoms), determined by report/medical necessity. Documentation of the perforation and symptoms helps. Coordination with medical coverage (and ENT) is often relevant. Verify your coverage.

This page is an independent, plain-language explanation for general information only. It is not billing, coding, or clinical advice. For the official CDT descriptor and current-year wording, refer to the American Dental Association.