Tooth and Remnants Extractions - Guide to CDT Code D7140, D7210, D7250 - Selection and Decision Tree

Oct 14, 2026

Guide for dentists and the dental community on extraction procedures documented with CDT codes D7140, D7210, and D7250. Explains how each code corresponds to specific clinical circumstances, including erupted tooth extraction with exposed roots, extractions requiring bone removal and/or tooth sectioning, and cutting procedures for removal of residual tooth roots with closure. Includes definitions from the current CDT manual plus a decision tree and Q&A covering coding for complete vs incomplete extractions and payer denial rationale.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

CDT Code Entries Used in the Guide

D7140 extraction, erupted tooth or exposed root

D7210 extraction, erupted tooth requiring bone removal and/or sectioning

D7250 removal of residual tooth roots (cutting procedure)

Decision Tree

Questions and Answers

This guide is published to educate dentists and others in the dental community on procedures documented with CDT codes D7140, D7210 and D7250 – selection of which code depends on the treating dentist using her or his clinical training and experience, to determine the extraction to be delivered and the appropriate CDT code to document and report their delivery. Introduction The following full CDT Code entries (code, nomenclature and descriptor), as published in the current CDT manual, are used to document the different extraction procedures addressed in detail within this guide. D7140 extraction, erupted tooth or exposed root (elevation and/or forceps removal) Includes removal of tooth structure, minor smoothing of socket bone, and closure, as necessary. D7210 extraction, erupted tooth requiring removal of bone and/or sectioning of tooth, and including elevation of mucoperiosteal flap if indicated Includes related cutting of gingival and bone, removal of tooth structure, minor smoothing of socket and closure. D7250 removal of residual tooth roots (cutting procedure) Includes cutting of soft tissue and bone, removal of tooth structure, and closure. Decision Tree Notes: Code “D7111 extraction, coronal remnants – primary tooth” is included in the Decision Tree illustration to acknowledge there is another procedure specifically for removal of primary tooth soft tissue retained coronal remnants in the CDT code’s series of extraction procedures, “Impacted Tooth” scenarios and codes are also included to acknowledge that these four codes exist for extraction procedures that differ from those that are commonly referred to as “simple extraction”. Questions and Answers 1) When extracting an erupted tooth, what procedure is reported when: a) the crown and root are extracted in one piece; or b) during the course of the procedure the crown and root separate and are extracted individually? There are separate codes for each scenario – a) D7140 is reported when a dentist completes the erupted tooth extraction procedure and the crown and root are extracted in one piece. b) D7210 is reported when the crown and root separated during the extraction procedure (for any reason) and both were removed, with the removal of the root tip requiring bone removal. 2) I completed a difficult extraction of an erupted (not impacted) tooth, where the anatomical crown and roots were extracted one after the other, that required more than the usual amount of time. Would it be appropriate to report both the codes D7140 (extraction of erupted tooth or exposed root) and the D7250 (removal of residual tooth roots) separately? No, the code D7250 procedure is not intended to document a “difficult” extraction. The extraction codes do not include the wording (e,g. , simple; difficult) in the nomenclatures or descriptors. Extraction of all parts of the tooth structure are reported as either code D7140 or D7210 procedure as noted in Q&A \# 1. 3) I was not able to complete the extraction of an erupted tooth as the crown separated from its roots, and my attempts to remove them were unsuccessful. How should I document this incomplete extraction? There is a no code for an incomplete extraction of an erupted tooth, therefore CDT code D7999 unspecified oral surgery procedure, by report” would be used to document what was completed. All "by report" procedure codes are to include documentation that explains the service provided. 4) When an erupted tooth extraction is incomplete, as described in Q&A \#3, what procedure is reported when another dentist is extracting only the residual roots? Code D7140 would be appropriate if the separated root(s) are exposed and can be extracted with forceps or elevation. If removal requires cutting soft or bony tissue code D7250 would be the appropriate procedure. 5) My claim for code D7250 procedure was denied because the residual roots were not “encased”(meaningfully covered) in bone. Is this rationale

FAQs

When extracting an erupted tooth, which CDT code is reported if the crown and root are removed in one piece?

Report CDT code D7140 when the erupted tooth extraction is completed and the crown and root are extracted together in one piece.

Which code applies when the crown and root separate during extraction and both are removed, with bone removal for the root tip?

Report CDT code D7210 when the crown and root separated during the procedure and both were removed, with root tip removal requiring bone removal.

If a residual root claim (D7250) is denied because it was not “encased” in bone, is that rationale consistent with the CDT descriptor?

No. Residual roots may exist for multiple reasons, and a fully covered (encased) residual root is a clinical finding. CDT D7250 is appropriate for removal of residual roots requiring bone removal; denial rationale reflects payer-specific limitations rather than the CDT entry.

Oct 14, 2026

Upload by Alex Sinclair