What D7947 means

D7947 covers a LeFort I osteotomy (maxilla — segmented). "D" is dental, "79" is this oral surgery area, and "47" is this segmented LeFort I. It's a LeFort I osteotomy (see D7946 — cutting and down-fracturing the maxilla to reposition the whole upper jaw) in which the maxilla is additionally divided into segments — so the down-fractured maxilla is split into pieces that can be repositioned relative to one another. So D7947 is a LeFort I where the upper jaw is both repositioned as a whole and segmented.

So it's the LeFort I (upper-jaw repositioning) plus dividing the maxilla into segments — allowing the segments to be moved relative to each other, for corrections the whole-jaw move alone can't achieve.

The segmented LeFort I (D7947) is used when the maxillary correction requires not only repositioning the whole upper jaw (as in the total LeFort I, D7946) but also adjusting the relationship of segments within the maxilla. After the maxilla is down-fractured (as in a standard LeFort I), it's divided into segments (e.g., two, three, or more pieces) — and these segments are repositioned relative to each other (and to the rest), then fixed. This allows corrections such as: widening the maxilla (transverse expansion) — splitting the maxilla and moving the segments apart to widen a narrow upper arch (correcting a transverse deficiency / posterior crossbite) — surgically widening the upper jaw; leveling/aligning segments — adjusting the vertical level or position of different segments (e.g., to level an uneven arch or close an open bite by differentially positioning the front vs back segments); and adjusting arch form — refining the shape/width of the dental arch. So segmentation adds the ability to change the maxilla's internal dimensions/form, beyond just moving it as a block. (The segments are moved subapically — below the teeth's roots — keeping the teeth with their bone, as in segmental osteotomy.) Like the standard LeFort I, the code includes the surgical exposure, bone cuts, down-fracture, repositioning, fixation, routine wound closure, and post-op care — here including the segmentation. It's done under general anesthesia. It's performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. These procedures are frequently medically necessary, so medical coverage often applies. This code is in the orthognathic surgery area (D7940-D7949). Documentation supports the claim.

When it's typically used

D7947 is reported for a segmented LeFort I osteotomy — a LeFort I (repositioning the whole upper jaw) in which the maxilla is also divided into segments, allowing the segments to be repositioned relative to each other — used when the maxillary correction needs segmentation (e.g., to widen a narrow upper arch/correct a crossbite, level segments, or adjust arch form). It's the segmented version of the total LeFort I (D7946).

How much does D7947 cost?

A segmented LeFort I osteotomy is a major orthognathic surgery (under general anesthesia) — its cost is significant (typically comparable to or more than the total LeFort I, given the added segmentation), often in the multiple-thousands range, and frequently part of a larger orthognathic surgery. Sample fee-schedule values are in the four-figure range (varying by region/case). As it's frequently medically necessary, medical coverage often applies. Verify your specific coverage.

Is D7947 covered by insurance?

A segmented LeFort I osteotomy (orthognathic surgery) is frequently medically necessary, so it's often covered under medical benefits (check both medical and dental plans; many have specific orthognathic-surgery criteria). Documentation of the deformity, the need for segmentation (e.g., the transverse deficiency/crossbite being corrected), and the medical necessity is essential, and preauthorization is typically required. Verifying coverage helps.

LeFort I plus segmentation

The segmented LeFort I adds dividing the maxilla, and understanding this clarifies the code.

Understanding D7947 clarifies how it relates to the total LeFort I (D7946). D7947 is a LeFort I osteotomy — the same core procedure as D7946 (cutting the maxilla at the LeFort I level, down-fracturing it, repositioning the upper jaw, and fixing it) — but with the maxilla additionally divided into segments. So everything the total LeFort I does, the segmented one does, plus splitting the down-fractured maxilla into pieces. After the maxilla is freed (down-fractured), the surgeon divides it into segments (e.g., splitting it in the midline and/or between teeth into two, three, or more pieces).

These segments can then be repositioned relative to one another — moved apart, together, up/down differentially, or otherwise — before being fixed in their new positions. This is the key added capability: not just moving the whole maxilla as a block (which the total LeFort I does), but also changing the internal arrangement of the maxilla's segments (their width, levels, arch form). So D7947 is a LeFort I with the maxilla segmented. Understanding this helps patients see that D7947 is a LeFort I osteotomy (the same core procedure as D7946 — cutting the maxilla at the LeFort I level, down-fracturing it, repositioning the upper jaw, and fixing it) but with the maxilla additionally divided into segments (so everything the total LeFort I does, the segmented one does, plus splitting the down-fractured maxilla into pieces) — after the maxilla is freed (down-fractured), the surgeon dividing it into segments (e.g., splitting it in the midline and/or between teeth into two, three, or more pieces) that can then be repositioned relative to one another (moved apart, together, up/down differentially, or otherwise) before being fixed in their new positions — the key added capability being not just moving the whole maxilla as a block (which the total LeFort I does) but also changing the internal arrangement of the maxilla's segments (their width, levels, arch form).

Why segment the maxilla

Segmentation enables corrections a block move can't, and understanding this clarifies the indication.

Understanding why the maxilla is segmented clarifies the indication for D7947. Moving the whole maxilla as a block (total LeFort I) repositions it in space but doesn't change its internal shape/dimensions. Segmenting it allows corrections that require changing the maxilla's internal arrangement: widening a narrow maxilla (transverse expansion) — a common reason: when the upper arch is too narrow (a transverse maxillary deficiency, often causing a posterior crossbite — the upper back teeth biting inside the lower), the maxilla is split (e.g., in the midline) and the segments moved apart to widen the arch, surgically correcting the narrowness; leveling/closing an open bite — positioning the front and back segments at different vertical levels (e.g., to level an arch or help close an anterior open bite by setting the segments appropriately); and refining arch form — adjusting the width or shape of parts of the arch to achieve a good final arch form and bite.

So segmentation is used when the deformity involves the maxilla's transverse width, arch form, or differential segment positioning — things a single block movement can't fix. When such corrections are needed, the segmented LeFort I (D7947) is used; when the whole maxilla just needs repositioning as a unit, the total LeFort I (D7946) suffices. So segmentation enables internal maxillary corrections. Understanding this helps patients see that moving the whole maxilla as a block (total LeFort I) repositions it in space but doesn't change its internal shape/dimensions, while segmenting it allows corrections requiring changing the maxilla's internal arrangement — widening a narrow maxilla/transverse expansion (a common reason: when the upper arch is too narrow, a transverse maxillary deficiency often causing a posterior crossbite with the upper back teeth biting inside the lower, the maxilla split, e.g., in the midline, and the segments moved apart to widen the arch, surgically correcting the narrowness), leveling/closing an open bite (positioning the front and back segments at different vertical levels, e.g., to level an arch or help close an anterior open bite), and refining arch form (adjusting the width or shape of parts of the arch for a good final arch form and bite) — so segmentation is used when the deformity involves the maxilla's transverse width, arch form, or differential segment positioning (things a single block movement can't fix), with the segmented LeFort I (D7947) used when such corrections are needed and the total LeFort I (D7946) sufficing when the whole maxilla just needs repositioning as a unit.

Segmented vs total LeFort I

The two LeFort I codes differ by segmentation, and understanding this clarifies the coding.

Understanding the difference between D7947 (segmented) and D7946 (total) clarifies the coding. Both are LeFort I osteotomies (repositioning the maxilla), differing by whether the maxilla is segmented: total LeFort I (D7946) — the whole maxilla is moved as a single piece (one unit), repositioned in space but not internally divided; and segmented LeFort I (D7947, this code) — the maxilla is divided into segments (after the down-fracture), and the segments are repositioned relative to each other — adding internal correction (width, levels, arch form) to the repositioning.

So the choice is whether segmentation is part of the surgery: D7947 when the maxilla is segmented (for transverse/arch corrections), D7946 when it's moved as one piece. The segmented version is more complex (the additional cuts, the careful handling of the segments to preserve their blood supply and the teeth, the more intricate fixation). The surgeon codes D7947 vs D7946 based on whether the maxilla was segmented in the procedure. So the two differ by segmentation. Understanding this helps patients see that both D7947 (segmented) and D7946 (total) are LeFort I osteotomies (repositioning the maxilla) differing by whether the maxilla is segmented — total LeFort I (D7946: the whole maxilla moved as a single piece, repositioned in space but not internally divided) versus segmented LeFort I (D7947, this code: the maxilla divided into segments after the down-fracture, the segments repositioned relative to each other, adding internal correction of width, levels, and arch form to the repositioning) — so the choice is whether segmentation is part of the surgery (D7947 when the maxilla is segmented, for transverse/arch corrections; D7946 when it's moved as one piece), the segmented version being more complex (the additional cuts, the careful handling of the segments to preserve their blood supply and the teeth, the more intricate fixation), the surgeon coding D7947 vs D7946 based on whether the maxilla was segmented.

Where D7947 fits in the codes

D7947 is the segmented maxillary LeFort I, and understanding this clarifies the coding.

Understanding where D7947 sits clarifies the coding. D7947 is among the orthognathic surgery codes (D7940-D7949), within the maxillary (LeFort) osteotomies: LeFort I (maxilla — total) (D7946) — the whole maxilla as one piece; LeFort I (maxilla — segmented) (D7947, this code) — the LeFort I with the maxilla segmented; and LeFort II or LeFort III (D7948 without bone graft, D7949 with bone graft) — the higher midface osteotomy levels. The mandibular osteotomies are D7941-D7945, including the general segmented/subapical osteotomy (D7944).

Note: D7947 (segmented LeFort I) is the specific code for a maxillary LeFort I that's segmented — capturing the combined whole-maxilla-repositioning-plus-segmentation as one code (rather than coding a LeFort I plus separate segmental osteotomies). D7947 specifically is this segmented maxillary procedure. The surgeon codes D7947 when the maxillary LeFort I includes segmentation (vs D7946 for a total/non-segmented LeFort I), plus the mandibular code if the lower jaw is also operated. So D7947 is the segmented LeFort I among the orthognathic codes. Understanding this helps patients see that D7947 is among the orthognathic surgery codes (D7940-D7949), within the maxillary (LeFort) osteotomies — LeFort I (maxilla — total) (D7946: the whole maxilla as one piece), LeFort I (maxilla — segmented) (D7947, this code: the LeFort I with the maxilla segmented), and LeFort II or LeFort III (D7948 without bone graft, D7949 with bone graft: the higher midface osteotomy levels) — with the mandibular osteotomies being D7941-D7945 (including the general segmented/subapical osteotomy D7944) — noting that D7947 (segmented LeFort I) is the specific code for a maxillary LeFort I that's segmented (capturing the combined whole-maxilla-repositioning-plus-segmentation as one code rather than coding a LeFort I plus separate segmental osteotomies), coded when the maxillary LeFort I includes segmentation (vs D7946 for a total/non-segmented LeFort I), plus the mandibular code if the lower jaw is also operated.

Frequently asked questions

What is the D7947 dental code?

It's a LeFort I osteotomy of the maxilla — segmented — a LeFort I (repositioning the whole upper jaw) in which the maxilla is ALSO divided into segments, allowing the segments to be repositioned relative to each other (not just the jaw as a whole). It's used when the upper-jaw correction needs segmentation — e.g., to widen a narrow upper arch, level segments, or adjust arch form.

How is it different from the total LeFort I (D7946)?

Both are LeFort I osteotomies repositioning the maxilla. The total LeFort I (D7946) moves the whole maxilla as one piece. The segmented LeFort I (D7947) additionally divides the down-fractured maxilla into segments that are repositioned relative to each other — adding internal correction (width, levels, arch form) beyond just moving the jaw as a block.

Why is the maxilla segmented?

To make corrections a single block movement can't — most commonly to widen a narrow upper arch (transverse expansion, correcting a posterior crossbite) by splitting the maxilla and moving the segments apart; also to level segments or help close an open bite by positioning the front and back segments differently, or to refine the arch form. Segmentation changes the maxilla's internal dimensions.

Are the teeth safe when the maxilla is segmented?

Yes — the segmentation cuts are made carefully (subapically, below the tooth roots, and between teeth), so each segment carries its teeth with their surrounding bone, and the blood supply to the segments is preserved through the soft-tissue attachments. The segments (teeth + bone) are moved together and remain viable in their new positions.

When is the segmented version needed?

When the maxillary correction involves the jaw's transverse width, arch form, or differential segment positioning — e.g., a narrow upper jaw with a crossbite, or an arch needing leveling/open-bite closure. When the whole maxilla just needs repositioning as one unit (no internal change), the total LeFort I (D7946) is used instead.

What does it cost, and is it covered?

It's a major orthognathic surgery (under general anesthesia) — cost is significant (typically comparable to or more than the total LeFort I, given the segmentation), often in the multiple-thousands range. As it's frequently medically necessary, medical coverage often applies (check both plans; specific criteria and preauthorization typically apply). Verify your 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.