What D7460 means

D7460 covers the removal of a benign nonodontogenic cyst or tumor — lesion diameter up to 1.25 cm. "D" is dental, "74" is this oral surgery group, and "60" is this small benign nonodontogenic cyst/tumor removal. 'Nonodontogenic' means NOT arising from the tooth-forming tissues — i.e., from other tissues (not tooth-related). So nonodontogenic cysts and tumors are jaw or oral lesions that develop from non-tooth tissues — for example, from epithelial remnants not related to teeth, from bone or other tissues, or from developmental tissue remnants in certain locations. Examples of benign nonodontogenic cysts/tumors include various developmental cysts (e.g., a nasopalatine duct cyst — from non-tooth epithelial remnants in a specific location), certain bone cysts or benign bone tumors/lesions, and other non-tooth-derived benign growths. A benign nonodontogenic cyst or tumor is a non-cancerous one. D7460 is for removing such a benign nonodontogenic cyst or tumor up to 1.25 cm in diameter (a small one). So when a small (up to 1.25 cm) benign nonodontogenic (non-tooth-tissue) cyst or tumor is removed, D7460 reports this.

So it's surgically removing a small (up to 1.25 cm) benign (non-cancerous) cyst or tumor that arose from non-tooth tissues.

Like odontogenic lesions, nonodontogenic cysts/tumors may be discovered on imaging (X-rays) or due to symptoms (swelling, etc.), and are removed for similar reasons: to prevent growth and damage to surrounding structures, to confirm the diagnosis (via pathology — important to identify the specific type and confirm it's benign), and to address symptoms. The removal involves accessing and removing the lesion (with the approach depending on its type and location), and the tissue is examined by pathology. D7460 is for a small one (up to 1.25 cm); D7461 is for a larger one (greater than 1.25 cm). The key distinction from the odontogenic codes (D7450/D7451) is the origin — nonodontogenic (not from tooth tissues) vs odontogenic (from tooth tissues). Coverage is under oral surgery benefits (and sometimes medical); the pathology is separate. Documentation of the lesion (its nonodontogenic nature, benign, size) and its removal supports the claim.

When it's typically used

D7460 is reported for removing a small (up to 1.25 cm) benign (non-cancerous) nonodontogenic cyst or tumor — a cyst/tumor arising from non-tooth tissues (e.g., a nasopalatine duct cyst or other non-odontogenic benign lesion) — surgically removing it with pathology. It's distinguished by origin (nonodontogenic) from odontogenic cysts/tumors (D7450/D7451), and by size from the larger one (D7461).

How much does D7460 cost?

Removal of a small benign nonodontogenic cyst or tumor is a moderate fee, often roughly 400 to 900 USD depending on region and the location/access — for surgically removing the cyst/tumor, typically with local anesthesia (or sedation). The pathology lab fee is separate. The fee reflects the surgical removal; the cost varies with the lesion's location and type.

Is D7460 covered by insurance?

Covered under oral surgery benefits (and sometimes medical, depending on the situation). Documentation of the cyst/tumor (its nonodontogenic origin, benign nature, size up to 1.25 cm, location) and its removal supports the claim. The pathology lab fee is billed separately. It's distinguished from the larger one (D7461) and from odontogenic cysts/tumors (D7450/D7451). Verifying coverage helps.

What nonodontogenic cysts/tumors are

Nonodontogenic cysts/tumors arise from non-tooth tissues, and understanding them clarifies what this removes.

'Nonodontogenic' means not arising from the odontogenic (tooth-forming) tissues — so nonodontogenic cysts and tumors arise from other (non-tooth) tissues. While odontogenic lesions come from the tissues involved in tooth development, nonodontogenic lesions come from different sources — for example: developmental epithelial remnants not related to teeth (e.g., remnants from embryonic development in certain locations, such as the nasopalatine duct — giving rise to a nasopalatine duct cyst, a common nonodontogenic developmental cyst, located in the front of the palate); bone or other tissues (certain benign bone cysts or bone lesions/tumors of the jaw that aren't tooth-derived); soft tissues (certain benign growths from non-tooth soft tissues, in some classifications); or other non-odontogenic sources. So nonodontogenic cysts/tumors are jaw/oral lesions from these non-tooth tissues.

The defining feature is the origin — not from tooth tissues (distinguishing them from odontogenic lesions). Like odontogenic lesions, they can occur in the jaws/oral region, may be found on imaging or due to symptoms, and (when benign — the subject of D7460/D7461) are non-cancerous. The specific types and their behaviors vary (most benign ones are not aggressive, though the specific type matters). D7460 removes a small benign one. The oral surgeon diagnoses and removes nonodontogenic cysts/tumors. For patients, understanding what nonodontogenic cysts/tumors are — lesions from non-tooth tissues — clarifies what this removes. They're non-tooth-derived growths. The surgeon removes them. Understanding this helps patients see that nonodontogenic cysts and tumors are jaw/oral lesions arising from non-tooth tissues (not the tooth-forming tissues) — for example, from developmental epithelial remnants not related to teeth (like a nasopalatine duct cyst in the front of the palate), or from bone or other tissues — distinguished from odontogenic lesions by their origin, and (when benign) non-cancerous, with D7460 removing a small (up to 1.25 cm) benign one.

Why they're removed

Nonodontogenic cysts/tumors are removed for similar reasons, and understanding them clarifies the purpose.

Benign nonodontogenic cysts and tumors are removed for reasons similar to other jaw/oral lesions — and understanding them clarifies the purpose. Reasons: growth and damage — even benign, these lesions can grow over time, potentially expanding/destroying surrounding bone or tissue, displacing or affecting nearby structures (teeth, nerves, the sinus, nasal structures depending on location), so removal prevents this; diagnosis (confirmation) — removing the lesion and examining it (pathology) confirms the diagnosis — identifying the specific type and confirming it's benign (important, as it rules out anything more serious and identifies the exact nature); symptoms — they may cause symptoms (swelling, discomfort, drainage, etc.) warranting removal; and other reasons (e.g., the lesion is enlarging or causing a functional/cosmetic issue). So nonodontogenic cysts/tumors are removed to prevent damage, confirm the diagnosis, and address symptoms — similar to the rationale for removing odontogenic lesions.

The specific reasons and urgency depend on the lesion type, size, location, and behavior. Most benign nonodontogenic lesions are removed to prevent growth/damage and to obtain a definitive diagnosis. The diagnostic aspect is important (the pathology confirms the type and benign nature). So removal serves to address the lesion and diagnose it. The oral surgeon removes the lesion for these reasons. For patients, understanding why nonodontogenic cysts/tumors are removed — to prevent damage, confirm the diagnosis, and address symptoms — clarifies the purpose. They're removed to prevent damage and diagnose. The surgeon removes them. Understanding this helps patients see that benign nonodontogenic cysts and tumors are removed for reasons similar to other jaw/oral lesions — they can grow and damage surrounding bone, tissue, or structures (so removal prevents this), removal confirms the diagnosis (identifying the specific type and confirming it's benign, via pathology), and they may cause symptoms warranting removal — so removal prevents damage, provides the diagnosis, and addresses symptoms, with the specifics depending on the lesion's type, size, location, and behavior.

The removal procedure

Removing a nonodontogenic cyst/tumor is a surgical procedure, and understanding it clarifies what's involved.

Removing a benign nonodontogenic cyst or tumor (D7460) is a surgical procedure, with the approach depending on the lesion's type and location. The procedure generally involves: imaging — using imaging (X-rays, often a CBCT/CT) to assess the lesion (its size, location, extent, relation to structures) and plan the removal; anesthesia — appropriate anesthesia (local, often with sedation, or general for a more involved case); accessing the lesion — accessing the lesion (the approach depends on its location — e.g., for a nasopalatine duct cyst in the front of the palate, accessing it from the palate; for a lesion in the bone, accessing the involved bone); removing the lesion — removing the cyst/tumor (enucleation — removing it intact — and/or curettage, as appropriate for the type); sending for pathology — sending the removed tissue for pathology examination (confirming the diagnosis and benign nature); and closing/healing — closing the site, with the area healing (a bony cavity healing/filling in over time). So the procedure removes the lesion and obtains its diagnosis.

The specific approach varies by the lesion (its type and location) — a small, accessible lesion is a relatively contained removal; the location (e.g., near the sinus, nasal structures, or nerves) influences the approach. For D7460 (a small lesion up to 1.25 cm), it's a relatively contained procedure, often done in-office under local anesthesia/sedation (more involved cases in a surgical setting). After removal and healing, the lesion is gone and diagnosed. The oral surgeon performs the removal. For patients, understanding that removing a nonodontogenic cyst/tumor is a surgical procedure — accessing and removing the lesion — clarifies what's involved. It removes the lesion. The surgeon performs it. Understanding this helps patients see that removing a benign nonodontogenic cyst/tumor (D7460) is a surgical procedure (with the approach depending on the lesion's type and location) — using imaging to plan, accessing the lesion (e.g., from the palate for a nasopalatine duct cyst, or the involved bone for a bony lesion), removing it (enucleation and/or curettage), and sending the tissue for pathology — with a small lesion (D7460) being relatively contained (often done under local anesthesia/sedation), the location influencing the approach, and the lesion gone and diagnosed after removal and healing.

Nonodontogenic vs odontogenic, and the codes

The cyst/tumor codes distinguish nonodontogenic from odontogenic, and understanding this clarifies the coding.

The benign jaw cyst/tumor removal codes distinguish nonodontogenic from odontogenic (and by size) — and understanding this clarifies the coding. The codes: D7450 — benign ODONTOGENIC cyst/tumor, up to 1.25 cm; D7451 — benign odontogenic, greater than 1.25 cm; D7460 — benign NONODONTOGENIC cyst/tumor, up to 1.25 cm (this code); D7461 — benign nonodontogenic, greater than 1.25 cm. So the codes distinguish: the origin — odontogenic (from tooth tissues: D7450/D7451) vs nonodontogenic (from non-tooth tissues: D7460/D7461); and the size — up to 1.25 cm vs greater. D7460 is the small, nonodontogenic one.

So the surgeon codes by the origin and size: a benign nonodontogenic cyst/tumor up to 1.25 cm → D7460; over 1.25 cm → D7461; a benign odontogenic one → D7450/D7451 (by size). The origin (odontogenic vs nonodontogenic) is determined by the lesion's type/tissue of origin (confirmed by the diagnosis/pathology — the pathologist identifies the lesion, which establishes its origin). So the distinction is based on what kind of lesion it is. These benign cyst/tumor codes (D7450-D7461) are distinct from the soft-tissue lesion codes (D7410-D7415) and the malignant codes. So D7460 is the small benign nonodontogenic cyst/tumor removal. The surgeon codes by origin and size. For patients, understanding that the codes distinguish nonodontogenic from odontogenic, with D7460 being the small nonodontogenic one, clarifies the coding. It's the small nonodontogenic one. The surgeon codes by origin/size. Understanding this helps patients see that the benign jaw cyst/tumor removal codes distinguish the origin — odontogenic (from tooth tissues: D7450/D7451) vs nonodontogenic (from non-tooth tissues: D7460/D7461) — and the size (up to 1.25 cm vs greater) — with D7460 being the small (up to 1.25 cm) benign nonodontogenic cyst/tumor removal — so the surgeon codes by the lesion's origin (determined by its type/pathology) and size, with these codes distinct from the soft-tissue lesion codes (D7410-D7415) and the malignant codes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the D7460 dental code?

It's the removal of a benign nonodontogenic cyst or tumor up to 1.25 cm — surgically removing a small benign (non-cancerous) cyst or tumor of nonodontogenic origin (NOT from tooth-forming tissues, but from other tissues), e.g., a nasopalatine duct cyst. It removes a small one, distinct from odontogenic cysts/tumors (D7450/D7451).

What are nonodontogenic cysts/tumors?

Jaw/oral lesions arising from non-tooth tissues (not the tooth-forming tissues that give rise to odontogenic lesions) — for example, from developmental epithelial remnants not related to teeth (like a nasopalatine duct cyst in the front of the palate), or from bone or other tissues. They're distinguished from odontogenic lesions by their origin.

Why are they removed?

For reasons similar to other jaw lesions — they can grow and damage surrounding bone, tissue, or structures (removal prevents this), removal confirms the diagnosis (identifying the type and confirming it's benign, via pathology), and they may cause symptoms. So removal prevents damage, provides the diagnosis, and addresses symptoms.

What does the procedure involve?

A surgical procedure (the approach depending on the lesion's type and location) — using imaging to plan, accessing the lesion (e.g., from the palate for a nasopalatine duct cyst), removing it (enucleation and/or curettage), and sending the tissue for pathology. A small lesion (D7460) is relatively contained, often done under local anesthesia/sedation.

How much does it cost?

Often around 400 to 900 USD for surgically removing a small benign nonodontogenic cyst/tumor (typically with local anesthesia or sedation). The pathology lab fee is separate. The cost varies with the lesion's location and type. Verify your specific coverage.

How is it different from D7450?

D7460 is for a benign NONODONTOGENIC cyst/tumor (from non-tooth tissues). D7450 is for a benign ODONTOGENIC one (from tooth-forming tissues). Both are small (up to 1.25 cm). The codes differ by the origin (nonodontogenic vs odontogenic), determined by the lesion's type (from pathology). D7461 is the larger nonodontogenic one.

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.