What D7960 means

D7960 was the CDT code for a frenulectomy (also called frenectomy or frenotomy) — the surgical removal or release of a frenum. A frenum (frenulum) is a small fold of soft tissue connecting two structures and limiting their movement — such as the labial frenum (connecting the lip to the gum) or the lingual frenum (under the tongue). A frenulectomy removes/releases a problematic frenum. "D" is dental, "79" is this oral surgery group, and "60" was this (now retired) frenulectomy code.

Important: D7960 has been retired (replaced as of the 2021 CDT update). It was a single, general frenectomy code; it was replaced by more specific codes that distinguish the location: D7961 — buccal/labial frenectomy (frenulectomy): for a buccal (cheek-side) or labial (lip-to-gum) frenum; and D7962 — lingual frenectomy (frenulectomy): for the lingual frenum (under the tongue, e.g., for tongue-tie). (Additionally, D7963 — frenuloplasty — covers the more involved frenum revision.) So the single old code (D7960) was replaced by the location-specific codes (D7961, D7962) and the frenuloplasty code (D7963).

So D7960 is a retired/historical frenectomy code — for current frenectomies, the specific code (D7961 for buccal/labial, D7962 for lingual) should be used.

This page explains D7960 because people may still encounter the code (in older records, materials, or references) and want to understand it — but the key point is that it's retired, and the current, specific codes (D7961/D7962, or D7963 for frenuloplasty) are what's used now. The procedure itself (a frenectomy — removing/releasing a frenum) is still done; it's just coded with the newer, more specific codes. Using a retired code (D7960) on a current claim would cause issues (it's no longer valid), so the appropriate current code should be used. The frenectomy is done for the same reasons as always (a frenum causing a functional problem — e.g., a diastema, gum recession, denture interference, tongue-tie). For coverage/coding of a current frenectomy, see D7961 (buccal/labial) or D7962 (lingual).

When it's typically used

D7960 was used (historically, before its retirement in 2021) for a frenulectomy (frenectomy) — the surgical removal/release of a frenum. It's now retired and replaced by the specific codes D7961 (buccal/labial frenectomy) and D7962 (lingual frenectomy) — for current frenectomies, the appropriate specific code is used, not D7960. (D7963 covers the more involved frenuloplasty.)

How much does D7960 cost?

As a retired code, D7960 isn't used for current billing. The procedure (a frenectomy) is now coded D7961 (buccal/labial) or D7962 (lingual), with fees often roughly 200 to 600 USD depending on the location, technique (traditional or laser), and region. See the D7961 or D7962 pages for current cost information.

Is D7960 covered by insurance?

D7960 is retired and should not be used on current claims (it would be invalid). For a current frenectomy, the appropriate specific code is used — D7961 (buccal/labial) or D7962 (lingual) — and coverage follows those (typically requiring documentation of functional necessity, with limits like once per site/lifetime). If you encounter D7960 in older records, note it's the predecessor to the current codes. Verifying coverage under the current codes helps.

D7960 is a retired code

D7960 has been retired, and understanding this clarifies its status.

The most important thing to know about D7960 is that it's a retired (discontinued) code — it's no longer the current code for a frenectomy. D7960 was previously the single, general CDT code for a frenulectomy (frenectomy) — covering the surgical removal/release of a frenum, regardless of location. However, as part of a CDT update (effective 2021), D7960 was retired and replaced by more specific codes. So D7960 is now a historical code — it was valid in the past but isn't used for current claims (dates of service from 2021 onward).

This means: for a frenectomy done now, D7960 should not be used — the current, specific replacement code applies instead (D7961 or D7962, depending on location). Using D7960 on a current claim would cause problems (it's no longer a valid current code, so it would likely be rejected). Patients or others may still encounter D7960 — e.g., in older dental records (from before 2021), older fee schedules, or outdated online references — which is why understanding it is useful; but the key point is that it's been replaced. So D7960 is retired, with the current codes used now. For patients, understanding that D7960 is a retired code — replaced by newer ones — clarifies its status. It's no longer current. The newer codes are used now. Understanding this helps patients see that D7960 is a retired (discontinued) CDT code — formerly the single, general code for a frenulectomy (frenectomy), but retired as of the 2021 CDT update and replaced by more specific codes — so it's no longer used for current claims (and using it now would cause problems), though it may still be encountered in older records or references, with the key point being that it's been replaced by the current, specific codes.

The replacement codes (D7961, D7962, D7963)

D7960 was replaced by specific codes, and understanding them clarifies the current coding.

D7960 (the old single frenectomy code) was replaced by more specific codes that distinguish the location and the procedure — and understanding them clarifies the current coding. The replacements: D7961 — buccal/labial frenectomy (frenulectomy): for removing/releasing a buccal (cheek-side) frenum or a labial (lip-to-gum) frenum. So a labial frenectomy (e.g., for an upper labial frenum contributing to a gap between the front teeth) or a buccal frenectomy is now coded D7961; D7962 — lingual frenectomy (frenulectomy): for removing/releasing the lingual frenum (under the tongue). So a tongue-tie release (lingual frenectomy) is now coded D7962; and D7963 — frenuloplasty: the more involved frenum revision (with excision/repositioning of aberrant muscle and a z-plasty or other flap closure). So a more complex frenum reconstruction is coded D7963. So the single old code became three specific codes (by location and procedure complexity).

This means current frenectomies are coded by location (buccal/labial → D7961; lingual → D7962) and by procedure (a simple frenectomy → D7961/D7962; the more involved frenuloplasty → D7963). The more specific coding allows better distinction of the procedures (which differ in location and complexity). So the current codes (D7961, D7962, D7963) replace D7960. For a current frenectomy, the dentist uses the appropriate one. For patients, understanding the replacement codes — D7961 (buccal/labial), D7962 (lingual), D7963 (frenuloplasty) — clarifies the current coding. The single code became three specific ones. The dentist uses them now. Understanding this helps patients see that D7960 was replaced by more specific codes — D7961 (buccal/labial frenectomy), D7962 (lingual frenectomy, for tongue-tie), and D7963 (frenuloplasty, the more involved revision) — distinguishing the location (buccal/labial vs lingual) and the procedure (simple frenectomy vs the more complex frenuloplasty), so current frenectomies are coded with these specific codes (not the retired D7960), allowing better distinction of the procedures.

Why codes get retired and updated

CDT codes are periodically updated, and understanding why clarifies the context.

The retirement of D7960 (and its replacement) reflects how dental codes (CDT) are periodically updated — and understanding this clarifies the context. CDT (the Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature) is maintained by the ADA and updated annually (each year, codes can be added, revised, or deleted/retired). These updates keep the code set current — reflecting changes in dental practice, adding codes for new procedures, revising descriptions for clarity, and replacing or splitting codes to better distinguish procedures. So codes change over time, and a code valid in one year may be retired/replaced in a later year.

In the case of D7960, it was replaced by more specific codes (D7961, D7962, D7963) — an example of a single code being split into more specific ones (to better distinguish the location and complexity of frenum procedures). This kind of update improves the precision of coding (allowing the different procedures to be coded distinctly). The practical implication for coding is that current codes should always be used (matching the current CDT for the date of service) — using a retired code (like D7960 now) would cause claim problems. Dental offices update their coding each year to use the current codes. So code updates (like D7960's retirement) are a normal part of CDT maintenance. The dentist uses the current codes for accurate billing. For patients, understanding that CDT codes are periodically updated (with codes like D7960 being retired/replaced) clarifies the context. Codes change over time. Current codes are used. Understanding this helps patients see that dental codes (CDT) are periodically updated (annually) — with codes added, revised, or retired/replaced to keep the set current and improve precision — and that D7960's retirement (replaced by the more specific D7961/D7962/D7963) is an example of a single code being split into more specific ones, with the practical implication that current codes (matching the CDT for the date of service) should always be used, so a retired code like D7960 isn't used for current claims.

The frenectomy procedure (still performed)

The frenectomy procedure is still done (with current codes), and understanding this clarifies the continuity.

While the code D7960 is retired, the frenectomy procedure itself is still performed — just coded with the current codes — and understanding this clarifies the continuity. A frenectomy (the surgical removal/release of a frenum) remains a common, useful procedure, done for the same reasons as always: a labial frenum contributing to a gap (diastema) between the front teeth or pulling on the gum (recession), or interfering with a denture (addressed now with D7961); a lingual frenum causing tongue-tie (restricting tongue movement, affecting feeding or speech — addressed now with D7962); or a frenum needing a more involved revision (addressed with D7963, frenuloplasty). So the procedures continue; only the codes changed.

The procedure itself (numbing the area and removing/releasing the frenum, by a traditional surgical technique or a laser) is as described for the current codes (D7961/D7962). So if you previously had (or are considering) a 'frenectomy' associated with the old code D7960, the same kind of procedure is now coded with the specific current code (by location). The continuity is in the procedure (still done, for the same reasons); the change is in the coding (now more specific). So D7960's retirement doesn't change the procedure — just how it's coded. The dentist performs the frenectomy (coded currently). For patients, understanding that the frenectomy procedure is still done (with current codes) clarifies the continuity. The procedure continues; the code changed. The dentist codes it currently. Understanding this helps patients see that although D7960 is retired, the frenectomy procedure itself is still performed — for the same reasons as always (a labial frenum causing a diastema, recession, or denture interference; a lingual frenum causing tongue-tie affecting feeding or speech; or a frenum needing a more involved revision) — just coded now with the current, specific codes (D7961 buccal/labial, D7962 lingual, D7963 frenuloplasty), so the continuity is in the procedure (still done) while the coding has been updated to be more specific.

Frequently asked questions

What is the D7960 dental code?

D7960 was the CDT code for a frenulectomy (frenectomy) — the surgical removal/release of a frenum (such as the labial frenum connecting the lip to the gum, or the lingual frenum under the tongue). Important: it was retired (in 2021) and replaced by more specific codes — D7961 (buccal/labial frenectomy) and D7962 (lingual frenectomy).

Is D7960 still used?

No — D7960 is retired (as of the 2021 CDT update) and should not be used on current claims (it would be invalid). For a current frenectomy, the specific replacement code is used: D7961 (buccal/labial) or D7962 (lingual). You may still encounter D7960 in older records or references.

What replaced D7960?

More specific codes: D7961 (buccal/labial frenectomy), D7962 (lingual frenectomy, for tongue-tie), and D7963 (frenuloplasty, the more involved frenum revision). The single old code was split into these specific codes by location (buccal/labial vs lingual) and procedure (frenectomy vs frenuloplasty).

Is the frenectomy procedure still done?

Yes — the procedure (removing/releasing a frenum) is still commonly done, for the same reasons as always (a labial frenum causing a gap or recession or denture interference; a lingual frenum causing tongue-tie). Only the coding changed — it's now coded with the current specific codes (D7961/D7962), not the retired D7960.

Why was D7960 retired?

CDT codes are updated annually (codes added, revised, or retired) to keep the set current and improve precision. D7960 (a single general code) was replaced by more specific codes (D7961/D7962/D7963) to better distinguish the location and complexity of frenum procedures — an example of a code being split into more specific ones.

What should be used instead of D7960?

For a current frenectomy, use the specific code by location: D7961 for a buccal/labial frenectomy, or D7962 for a lingual frenectomy (tongue-tie). For the more involved frenum revision (with muscle repositioning and a z-plasty/flap), use D7963 (frenuloplasty). See those code pages for details.

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.