Find comprehensive information on tongue-tie, ankyloglossia, and lingual frenulum dysfunction. This resource covers diagnosis, ICD-10 code K14.6, clinical documentation requirements, treatment options including frenotomy and frenuloplasty, and post-operative care. Learn about the impact of tongue-tie on breastfeeding, speech development, and oral function. Explore resources for healthcare professionals, including coding guidelines and best practices for accurate diagnosis and treatment of tongue-tie.
Also known as
Ankyloglossia
Tongue-tie, a condition restricting tongue movement.
Diseases of tongue
Includes glossitis, other tongue disorders, not elsewhere classified.
Cleft palate and cleft lip
Congenital malformations of the palate/lip, sometimes with tongue-tie.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the tongue-tie congenital?
Yes
Ankyloglossia?
No
Acquired due to trauma/surgery?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Restricted tongue movement |
| Lip-tie |
| Buccal tie |
Lack of specific details about the ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) severity, impacting accurate ICD-10 coding (K14.6) and reimbursement.
Missing documentation on whether the tongue-tie is on the left, right, or both sides, affecting proper medical coding and data analysis.
Incorrect CPT coding for frenotomy (e.g., 41010) or frenuloplasty (e.g., 41110, 41112, 41115) can lead to claim denials and compliance issues.
Patient presents with symptoms suggestive of ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie. Clinical examination reveals a short, thick, or tight lingual frenulum restricting tongue movement. The patient's tongue mobility was assessed, noting limitations in elevation, protrusion, and lateralization. The severity of the tongue-tie was graded using the Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function. Feeding difficulties, such as difficulty latching, poor milk transfer, maternal nipple pain, and clicking sounds during breastfeeding, were reported. Speech articulation issues, including difficulty with alveolar sounds, were also observed. Diagnosis of ankyloglossia was confirmed based on the clinical findings. Treatment options, including frenotomy or frenuloplasty, were discussed with the patient and family. The risks and benefits of each procedure, along with postoperative care instructions, were explained. A follow-up appointment was scheduled to monitor healing and assess improvement in tongue function. ICD-10 code K14.6, ankyloglossia, was assigned. CPT codes for the procedures will be determined at the time of the procedure.