What D7298 means

D7298 covers the removal of a temporary anchorage device [screw retained plate], requiring flap. "D" is dental, "72" is this oral surgery group, and "98" is this TAD removal. A temporary anchorage device (TAD) is a small device placed (temporarily) in the bone to serve as a fixed anchor point for orthodontic tooth movement — orthodontists use TADs to push or pull teeth against a stable anchor (the device, anchored in bone) rather than against other teeth (which would move undesirably). TADs come in forms including small screws (mini-implants/mini-screws) and screw-retained plates (a small bone plate fixed with screws, used as a more substantial anchor). Once the TAD has served its purpose (the orthodontic movement is done), it's removed (it's temporary). D7298 is specifically for removing a screw-retained plate type of TAD, in the situation where a flap is required — meaning the gum tissue must be surgically raised (a flap) to access and remove the plate (and its screws). So it's a surgical removal of a plate-type TAD that needs a flap for access.

So it's removing a temporary orthodontic anchor (a screw-retained bone plate) when raising a gum flap is needed to get to it.

This code is part of a small family for TAD removal (and placement-related codes) that distinguish the situation. The 'requiring flap' aspect matters: a screw-retained plate is typically placed under the gum tissue (with the plate against the bone, fixed by screws, and an arm extending to where the orthodontic force attaches), so removing it generally requires raising a flap to expose the plate and screws — making it a surgical procedure (vs removing a simple mini-screw that might come out without a flap). The related codes include D7299 (removal of a TAD requiring flap — for a TAD that isn't the screw-retained plate, i.e., another type requiring a flap) and D7300 (removal of a TAD without flap — for a TAD that can be removed without raising a flap, like a simple mini-screw). So the codes distinguish the type of device and whether a flap is needed. D7298 specifically is the screw-retained plate, requiring a flap. Coverage is typically associated with the orthodontic treatment (the TAD being part of it); documentation of the device and the flap procedure supports the claim.

When it's typically used

D7298 is reported for removing a temporary anchorage device that is a screw-retained plate, when a surgical flap (raising the gum tissue) is required to access and remove it. It's used after the plate-type TAD has served its orthodontic anchoring purpose and is being removed. It's distinguished from removing other TADs requiring a flap (D7299) or TADs not requiring a flap (D7300).

How much does D7298 cost?

Removal of a screw-retained plate TAD (requiring a flap) is a moderate fee, often roughly 250 to 700 USD depending on region — for the surgical removal (raising a flap, removing the plate and screws, closing). It's more than removing a simple mini-screw without a flap (D7300, a minor procedure). It's typically associated with the orthodontic treatment. Verify your specific coverage.

Is D7298 covered by insurance?

Coverage is typically associated with the orthodontic treatment (the TAD being a component of it). Documentation of the device (the screw-retained plate) and the removal requiring a flap supports the claim. It's distinguished from removing other TADs requiring a flap (D7299) and TADs not requiring a flap (D7300). Coverage for TAD-related procedures depends on the plan (and the orthodontic coverage). Verifying coverage helps.

What a temporary anchorage device is

A temporary anchorage device provides an orthodontic anchor, and understanding it clarifies the code.

Understanding what a temporary anchorage device (TAD) is clarifies D7298. In orthodontics, moving a tooth requires pushing or pulling it against something (an anchor). Traditionally, other teeth serve as the anchor — but this can cause the anchor teeth to move undesirably (a side effect). A TAD provides a fixed, stable anchor that isn't a tooth: a small device placed (temporarily) in the jaw bone, which the orthodontist uses to apply forces (the TAD stays put because it's anchored in bone, allowing precise tooth movement without moving other teeth). TADs come in forms including: mini-screws/mini-implants — small titanium screws placed in the bone (the most common TAD); and screw-retained plates — a small bone plate fixed to the bone with screws, with an arm extending to the area for force application (a more substantial anchor, used for certain cases needing more anchorage or a different location). So a TAD is a temporary bone-anchored orthodontic anchor, in screw or plate form.

Being temporary, a TAD is removed once it has served its purpose (the orthodontic movement requiring it is complete). The removal is the subject of the TAD-removal codes (including D7298). The form of the TAD (a simple screw vs a screw-retained plate) and how it was placed affect how it's removed (whether a flap is needed). D7298 is specifically for removing the screw-retained plate type (requiring a flap). So a TAD provides an orthodontic anchor, and D7298 covers removing one type of it. The orthodontist uses the TAD; the removal is done when it's no longer needed. For patients, understanding what a TAD is — a temporary bone-anchored orthodontic anchor — clarifies the code. It anchors orthodontic forces. It's removed when done. Understanding this helps patients see that a temporary anchorage device (TAD) is a small device placed temporarily in the jaw bone to provide a fixed, stable anchor for orthodontic forces (allowing teeth to be moved without undesirably moving other teeth) — coming in forms like mini-screws/mini-implants (small bone screws) or screw-retained plates (a bone plate fixed with screws, a more substantial anchor) — that is removed once it has served its orthodontic purpose, with D7298 specifically covering the removal of the screw-retained plate type (requiring a flap).

Why removing a plate requires a flap

Removing a screw-retained plate needs a flap, and understanding why clarifies the procedure.

A screw-retained plate TAD typically requires a flap to remove — and understanding why clarifies the procedure (and the code). A screw-retained plate is placed against the bone, fixed with screws, and positioned under the gum tissue (with an arm/extension passing to where the orthodontic attachment is, often emerging through the gum). Because the plate and its screws are beneath the gum tissue (against the bone), removing them requires accessing them — which generally means raising a flap: surgically lifting the gum tissue to expose the plate and screws, then unscrewing/removing them, and closing the tissue. So removing a plate-type TAD is a surgical procedure requiring this flap access — hence 'requiring flap' in D7298. This contrasts with a simple mini-screw TAD, which protrudes through the gum (its head accessible) and can often be removed by simply unscrewing it without raising a flap (a minor procedure — coded D7300, without flap).

So the 'requiring flap' aspect reflects the surgical nature of removing a plate (vs the minor removal of a simple screw). The flap makes it a more involved procedure (with the surgical access, and the tissue healing afterward). This is why D7298 (the plate, requiring a flap) is distinct from D7300 (a TAD without a flap). The surgeon raises the flap, removes the plate, and closes the site. So removing a plate requires a flap, making it a surgical procedure. The surgeon performs it. For patients, understanding why removing a plate requires a flap clarifies the procedure. The plate is under the gum, needing flap access. The surgeon performs it. Understanding this helps patients see that a screw-retained plate TAD typically requires a flap to remove — because the plate and its screws are positioned beneath the gum tissue (against the bone), so accessing and removing them generally means raising a flap (surgically lifting the gum to expose the plate, unscrewing/removing it, and closing the tissue) — making it a surgical procedure ('requiring flap,' per D7298), in contrast to a simple mini-screw that protrudes through the gum and can often be unscrewed without a flap (the minor D7300) — so the flap reflects the more involved surgical removal of a plate.

The TAD removal and placement codes

The TAD-related codes distinguish device and flap, and understanding this clarifies the coding.

The TAD-related codes distinguish the device type and whether a flap is needed — and understanding them clarifies the coding. The TAD removal codes: D7298 — removal of a temporary anchorage device [screw retained plate], requiring flap (this code — for the plate type, with a flap); D7299 — removal of a temporary anchorage device, requiring flap (for a TAD requiring a flap that isn't specifically the screw-retained plate — i.e., another type needing flap access); D7300 — removal of a temporary anchorage device, without flap (for a TAD that can be removed without raising a flap — typically a simple mini-screw). So the removal codes distinguish: D7298 (plate, with flap), D7299 (other TAD, with flap), and D7300 (TAD, without flap). The distinctions are the device (plate vs other) and the flap (required vs not).

There are also corresponding considerations for the placement of TADs (the placement may be coded elsewhere or as part of the orthodontic treatment). For the removal, the surgeon selects the code based on what's being removed and how: a screw-retained plate needing a flap → D7298; another TAD needing a flap → D7299; a TAD removable without a flap → D7300. So the coding reflects the device and the surgical access needed. D7298 specifically is the screw-retained plate requiring a flap (the most involved of the removals, given the plate and flap). For patients, understanding that the codes distinguish device and flap clarifies the coding. They differ by device and flap. The surgeon codes accordingly. Understanding this helps patients see that the TAD removal codes distinguish the device type and whether a flap is needed — D7298 (removal of a screw-retained plate, requiring a flap — this code), D7299 (removal of another type of TAD requiring a flap), and D7300 (removal of a TAD without a flap, typically a simple mini-screw) — so the surgeon selects the code based on what's removed (a plate vs another device) and the access needed (a flap or not), with D7298 being the screw-retained plate requiring a flap (the most involved removal, given the plate and the surgical flap access).

TADs in the orthodontic treatment

TAD removal is part of the orthodontic treatment, and understanding this clarifies the context.

The removal of a TAD (D7298) is part of the overall orthodontic treatment context — and understanding this clarifies the picture. A TAD is used as a tool within orthodontic treatment: it's placed (at some point during the treatment) to provide the anchorage needed for specific tooth movements, used while those movements are being accomplished, and then removed once it's no longer needed (the movements complete). So the TAD's lifecycle (placement, use, removal) is woven into the orthodontic treatment timeline. The removal (D7298 for a plate with a flap) is the end of that lifecycle for the device. The orthodontist directs the use of the TAD (for the anchorage), while the placement and removal (especially a surgical one like D7298) may be done by an oral surgeon (or the orthodontist, depending on the device and practice).

So the TAD removal is coordinated within the orthodontic care — done when the orthodontist determines the TAD has served its purpose. After removal, the site heals (the flap site, for D7298), and the orthodontic treatment continues or concludes as planned. The patient experiences the removal as a step in their orthodontic journey (removing the temporary device). So TAD removal is part of the orthodontic treatment, coordinated between the providers. The team manages it. For patients, understanding that TAD removal is part of the orthodontic treatment clarifies the context. It's a step in the orthodontics. The team coordinates it. Understanding this helps patients see that the removal of a TAD (D7298) is part of the overall orthodontic treatment — the TAD being a tool placed to provide anchorage for specific tooth movements, used during those movements, and removed once no longer needed (the end of its lifecycle) — with the orthodontist directing the TAD's use and the placement/removal (especially a surgical removal like D7298) possibly done by an oral surgeon, coordinated within the orthodontic care, so the removal happens when the device has served its purpose, after which the site heals and the orthodontic treatment continues or concludes as planned.

Frequently asked questions

What is the D7298 dental code?

It's the removal of a temporary anchorage device (TAD) that is a screw-retained plate, requiring a flap. A TAD is a small device placed in the bone to anchor orthodontic forces; this code covers removing a screw-retained plate type when a surgical flap (raising the gum) is needed to access and remove it.

What is a temporary anchorage device (TAD)?

A small device placed temporarily in the jaw bone to provide a fixed, stable anchor for orthodontic forces — letting teeth be moved without undesirably moving other teeth. TADs include mini-screws/mini-implants (small bone screws) and screw-retained plates (a bone plate fixed with screws, a more substantial anchor). They're removed once no longer needed.

Why does removing a plate require a flap?

Because a screw-retained plate is positioned beneath the gum tissue (against the bone, fixed by screws), so accessing and removing it generally means raising a flap (lifting the gum to expose the plate, unscrewing/removing it, and closing the tissue). This contrasts with a simple mini-screw that protrudes through the gum and can often be removed without a flap.

How is it different from D7299 and D7300?

D7298 is for removing a screw-retained plate requiring a flap. D7299 is for removing another type of TAD requiring a flap. D7300 is for removing a TAD without a flap (typically a simple mini-screw). The codes distinguish the device (plate vs other) and whether a flap is needed.

Who removes the TAD?

The removal — especially a surgical one requiring a flap (D7298) — may be done by an oral surgeon (or by the orthodontist, depending on the device and practice). The orthodontist directs the TAD's use for anchorage and determines when it has served its purpose and can be removed.

How much does it cost?

Often around 250 to 700 USD for the surgical removal of a screw-retained plate (raising a flap, removing the plate and screws, closing) — more than removing a simple mini-screw without a flap (D7300, a minor procedure). It's typically associated with the orthodontic treatment. Verify your specific coverage.

This page is an independent, plain-language explanation for general information only. It is not billing, coding, or clinical advice. For the official CDT descriptor and current-year wording, refer to the American Dental Association.