D7981 — Excision of salivary gland, by report
D7981 removes a salivary gland, reported by narrative because which gland and which approach change the work entirely.
This is one of 18 closely related other oral surgical procedures codes. The treatment is explained in full in the other oral surgical procedures guide — this page is about what makes this particular code different.
What the number specifies, what it costs, what your plan is likely to do with it, and the named differences between it and the codes around it — in that order.
The specifics of D7981
Documentation — by report. A written narrative describing what was done and why no specific code applied has to accompany the claim. Submitted without one it is not assessed, it is simply returned.
Not to be confused with
D7980 — Surgical sialolithotomy (salivary stone removal): It is the specific code to use in preference to a by-report one.
D7982 — Sialodochoplasty (salivary duct repair): It is the specific code to use in preference to a by-report one.
D7983 — Closure of salivary fistula: It is the specific code to use in preference to a by-report one.
D7990 — Emergency tracheotomy: It is the specific code to use in preference to a by-report one.
D7981 sits in a group of 18 codes in total; the remainder are linked at the foot of this page. Because the wording of these codes is so close, substituting one for another is a routine cause of rejected claims and of unexpected balances. If D7981 is on your estimate, it is worth confirming that the detail it specifies matches what is actually planned.
Every code in this group
These codes describe the same broad procedure and differ in one respect each. Each has its own page with its own fee range and coverage notes.
Questions about D7981
What is D7981 on my dental bill?
On a claim, D7981 tells the insurer that what was performed was excision of salivary gland, by report.
How much does D7981 cost?
Expect $1,500–$5,000. Ask for the number in writing, because the code carries no fee of its own and every practice sets its own.
Will my plan pay for D7981?
Plans generally pay it as major oral surgery treatment, variable, subject to whatever is left of your maximum for the year.
What is the difference between D7981 and D7980?
D7980 is surgical sialolithotomy, salivary stone removal: it is the specific code to use in preference to a by-report one. Because that is the only difference, a reviewer who disagrees with it simply reprices the claim to D7980 rather than refusing it.
Also known as: avulsed tooth, impacted canine exposure, oroantral fistula, salivary stone, vestibuloplasty.