Retained dental root

This code signifies the presence of a dental root fragment that remains embedded in the alveolar bone after a tooth extraction or crown fracture. It indicates an incomplete removal of the tooth structure, which can lead to complications such as infection, pain, or cyst formation.

Assign this code when documentation clearly states a "retained root," "residual root tip," or "unerupted root fragment" following a previous dental procedure or trauma. It is typically used when the retained root is identified as a distinct clinical finding requiring further management.

• Differentiate from an impacted tooth (520.6) where the entire tooth is unerupted or partially erupted.
• Ensure documentation specifies "root" and not just a general "fragment" to avoid confusion with other dental anomalies.
• Consider sequencing with codes for any associated complications, such as abscess (522.7) or cyst (522.8).