• Ask the Coder
• If a patient has periocoronitis on tooth 17 and the dentist burns the flap of skin off, what is the correct code? I say D7971, but the dentist insists that I code it under D7280, since operculectomy is not covered under the patient's insurance (Florida Medicaid). The dentist did not remove any bone, did not make an incision. Who is right?

If a patient has periocoronitis on tooth 17 and the dentist burns the flap of skin off, what is the correct code? I say D7971, but the dentist insists that I code it under D7280, since operculectomy is not covered under the patient’s insurance (Florida Medicaid). The dentist did not remove any bone, did not make an incision. Who is right?