Infection Tooth ICD-10-CM Codes
Read this short guide and learn about infection tooth ICD codes you can use to improve your medical billing and coding processes.
Fact Checked by RJ Gumban.
What infection tooth ICD codes can I use?
If you’re looking for infection tooth ICD codes to use, there are several! They aren’t named tooth infection, so you might have experienced difficulty finding suitable codes. The best way to find ICD-10 codes for tooth infection is to focus on tooth pulps and potential problems related to the pulps. Here are some examples of such ICD codes:
- K04.7 - Periapical abscess without sinus
This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to have a periapical abscess. A periapical abscess is a type of tooth infection caused by bacteria that have entered the tooth through a cavity or crack. These bacteria create a pocket of pus at the tip of the tooth root. If left unchecked and untreated, it could spread throughout the jaw and sinus cavity. This may result in sepsis and can threaten a person’s life. This ICD code refers to an abscess that hasn’t reached the sinus cavity.
- K04.6 - Periapical abscess with sinus
This ICD code is the same as Item 1, but the periapical abscess has reached the sinus cavity.
- K04.01 - Reversible pulpitis
This ICD-10 code is used on a patient confirmed to have pulpilitis, which is the inflammation of a tooth pulp (this is where the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue of a tooth are found). In the case of this ICD-10 code, the pulpilitis is reversible, meaning the inflammation can be treated, and the tooth can go back to normal.
- K04.02 - Irreversible pulpitis
This is similar to Item 3, but the pulpilitis is irreversible. An irreversible pulpilitis means that the inflammation has advanced so the tooth can no longer recover, and the pulp will die (pulp necrosis).
- K04.1 - Necrosis of pulp
This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a person confirmed to have Pulp Necrosis, meaning that one or some of their tooth pulps died.
- K04.2 - Pulp degeneration
This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a person confirmed to have Pulp Degeneration. This means that the patient’s pulp is deteriorating.
Are these infection tooth ICD 10 codes billable?
Yes. All of the aforementioned tooth infection-related ICD-10 codes are valid and billable.
Clinical information about tooth infections
A tooth infection happens when bacteria enters a tooth via a cavity or a crack. This will, more often than not, result in unwanted problems concerning the tooth that the bacteria has entered, such as abscesses (a pus sack that can be dangerous if left unchecked and untreated), pulp inflammations (which can damage the tooth pulp to the point that it can die), and pulp necrosis.
What’s dangerous about tooth infections is that they can spread throughout a person’s entire jaw if left unaddressed for too long. Besides the formation of abscesses, pulp inflammations, and pulp necroses, it can cause gum diseases, and infections may spread beyond the jaw and lead to sepsis and possibly death.
Those who have tooth infections will experience the following symptoms:
- Sharp or throbbing pain in the area of the affected tooth/teeth
- Pain when chewing
- Pain even if they’re not chewing
- A radiating pain throughout the jaw
- Halitosis
- Bitter tastes in the mouth
- Swelling in the gums
Synonyms include:
- Dental abscess
- Gingival abscess
- Infection of tooth
- Migratory dental abscess
- Periapical abscess
- Periapical abscess with facial involvement
- Periapical abscess with sinus tract
- Asymptomatic reversible pulpitis
- Chronic hyperplastic pulpitis
- Pulpal abscess
Commonly asked questions
Yes, but it’s best not to use those and settle for valid and billable codes instead.
As we mentioned earlier, these are caused by bacteria entering teeth via cavities or cracks. Those with poor oral hygiene will be more at risk of tooth infections. Smokers will also be at higher risk of getting such infections, so it’s best to practice good oral hygiene and avoid smoking.
It depends on the tooth infection’s characteristics. If it’s an abscess, dentists will cut open the abscess and drain the pus. They may also prescribe antibiotics. For adverse cases, root canals and/or tooth extractions will be performed.
