What D7995 means

D7995 covers a synthetic graft of the mandible or facial bones, by report. "D" is dental, "79" is this oral surgery area, and "95" is this synthetic graft. A 'graft' here is material placed to augment/repair/reconstruct bone. 'Synthetic' means the graft is an artificial (man-made/alloplastic) material — as opposed to bone (autogenous/donor bone, used in the bone-graft codes). The 'mandible or facial bones' are the lower jaw and the other bones of the face. 'By report' means it's documented individually. So D7995 is placing a synthetic graft material to augment/repair facial bone.

So it's using an artificial graft material (not bone) to build up, repair, or reconstruct the lower jaw or facial bones.

A synthetic graft (D7995) uses a synthetic/alloplastic material (rather than natural bone) to augment or reconstruct the mandible or facial bones. It's used in situations needing facial-bone augmentation or reconstruction where a synthetic material is chosen — for example: contour augmentation — building up or enhancing the contour of a facial bone (e.g., augmenting a deficient area for form/symmetry) using a synthetic implant/graft material; reconstruction of a defect — filling/reconstructing a bony defect (from trauma, surgery, or a congenital deficiency) with synthetic material; and augmentation of the jaw/facial bones — adding to the bone's volume/contour where indicated. The advantage of a synthetic graft is that it avoids harvesting the patient's own bone (no donor-site surgery) — using a ready-made biocompatible material instead; the choice between a synthetic graft and a bone graft depends on the clinical situation, the goal (structural vs contour), and the surgeon's judgment. Because the specific material, site, and purpose vary, it's a 'by report' code — documented individually (describing the material used, the location, and the reason). It's performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. These procedures are often reconstructive/medically related, so coverage may apply (depending on the purpose). This code is in the oral surgery area (D7900-D7999). Documentation supports the claim.

When it's typically used

D7995 is reported for a synthetic graft of the mandible or facial bones — placing a synthetic (alloplastic) graft material to augment, repair, or reconstruct the lower jaw or other facial bones (e.g., for contour augmentation, reconstruction of a defect, or augmentation). Unlike a bone graft, it uses a synthetic material. 'By report' means it's documented individually (the material, site, and purpose vary).

How much does D7995 cost?

A synthetic graft's cost depends on the material, the site, the extent, and the purpose (contour augmentation vs reconstruction) — and as a 'by report' code, the specifics are documented. The synthetic material avoids a bone-harvest donor site (no second surgical site). Sample fee-schedule values are in the mid-three-figure range and up (varying by case). Coverage depends on the purpose (reconstructive/medical vs cosmetic). Verify your specific coverage.

Is D7995 covered by insurance?

Coverage for a synthetic graft depends on its purpose — reconstructive/medically necessary uses (reconstructing a defect from trauma, surgery, or a congenital condition) may be covered under medical benefits, while purely cosmetic augmentation may not be covered. As a 'by report' code, documentation of the material, the site, the purpose, and the medical appropriateness is important (payers often require documentation to evaluate it). Verifying coverage and the medical-necessity criteria helps.

Synthetic graft vs bone graft

This uses an artificial material instead of bone, and understanding this clarifies the code.

Understanding the distinction clarifies D7995. When facial bone needs augmentation or reconstruction, the graft material can be either: natural bone (a bone graft) — the patient's own bone (autogenous, harvested from a donor site) or donor/processed bone — which integrates as living/scaffold bone (coded with the bone-graft codes, e.g., D7950 for an osseous graft of the mandible/maxilla); or synthetic material (a synthetic graft, D7995) — an artificial, man-made (alloplastic) biocompatible material — used to augment/repair/reconstruct the bone without using actual bone. So the key distinction is the material: D7995 specifically is for a synthetic (alloplastic) graft.

The synthetic option has advantages in some cases: no donor site — it avoids harvesting the patient's own bone (no second surgical site, no donor-site morbidity); availability — a ready-made material; and suitability for certain purposes — particularly contour augmentation (building up shape/form), where a stable synthetic implant works well. The bone option has its own advantages (biological integration, structural healing). The surgeon chooses based on the goal and situation. So D7995 is the synthetic-material graft (vs a bone graft). Understanding this helps patients see that when facial bone needs augmentation or reconstruction the graft material can be either natural bone (a bone graft — the patient's own bone/autogenous, harvested from a donor site, or donor/processed bone, integrating as living/scaffold bone, coded with the bone-graft codes, e.g., D7950 for an osseous graft of the mandible/maxilla) or synthetic material (a synthetic graft, D7995 — an artificial, man-made/alloplastic biocompatible material used to augment/repair/reconstruct the bone without using actual bone) — so the key distinction is the material (D7995 specifically for a synthetic/alloplastic graft) — the synthetic option having advantages in some cases (no donor site, avoiding harvesting the patient's own bone, so no second surgical site or donor-site morbidity; availability as a ready-made material; and suitability for certain purposes, particularly contour augmentation/building up shape, where a stable synthetic implant works well) and the bone option having its own advantages (biological integration, structural healing), the surgeon choosing based on the goal and situation.

What it's used for

It augments or reconstructs facial bone, and understanding this clarifies the indications.

Understanding the uses clarifies D7995. A synthetic graft of the mandible/facial bones is used to augment, repair, or reconstruct facial bone with a synthetic material — in situations such as: contour augmentation — enhancing or building up the contour/shape of a facial bone (e.g., augmenting a deficient or asymmetric area to improve form/symmetry) — a synthetic implant/graft provides the added contour; reconstruction of a defect — filling or reconstructing a bony defect or deficiency, for example after trauma (a bone defect from an injury), after surgery (a defect from removing pathology), or for a congenital deficiency — restoring the bone's form; and augmentation of the jaw — adding volume/contour to the mandible or facial bones where indicated (note: the code specifies excluding the alveolar ridge for the related implant code D7996 — D7995 is for the mandible/facial bones generally).

So the purpose ranges from cosmetic/contour enhancement to reconstruction of defects — the common thread being using synthetic material to restore or augment facial bone form. The specific use is documented (per the 'by report' nature). The purpose also affects coverage (reconstructive vs cosmetic). So D7995 is used to augment/reconstruct facial bone synthetically. Understanding this helps patients see that a synthetic graft of the mandible/facial bones is used to augment, repair, or reconstruct facial bone with a synthetic material — in situations such as contour augmentation (enhancing or building up the contour/shape of a facial bone, e.g., augmenting a deficient or asymmetric area to improve form/symmetry, a synthetic implant/graft providing the added contour), reconstruction of a defect (filling or reconstructing a bony defect or deficiency, e.g., after trauma, after surgery to remove pathology, or for a congenital deficiency, restoring the bone's form), and augmentation of the jaw (adding volume/contour to the mandible or facial bones where indicated, the code specifying the mandible/facial bones generally, with the related implant code D7996 being the one that excludes the alveolar ridge) — so the purpose ranges from cosmetic/contour enhancement to reconstruction of defects (the common thread being using synthetic material to restore or augment facial bone form), the specific use documented per the 'by report' nature, and the purpose also affecting coverage (reconstructive vs cosmetic).

The 'by report' requirement

Documentation defines the individual case, and understanding this clarifies the coding.

Understanding the 'by report' requirement clarifies the coding of D7995. Because a synthetic graft can vary widely (the material used, the site on the mandible/facial bones, the extent, and the purpose), the code is 'by report' — requiring documentation that describes the specifics, so the payer can understand and adjudicate it. A proper report for D7995 should document: the material — what synthetic graft material was used; the site — where on the mandible/facial bones it was placed; the purpose — why (the defect being reconstructed, the augmentation being done, the clinical indication); and the medical appropriateness — the justification (especially important for coverage, distinguishing reconstructive/medical from cosmetic).

Payers often specifically note that pertinent documentation to evaluate medical appropriateness should be included when this code is reported — reflecting that the code's use and coverage depend on the documented purpose. So thorough documentation defines the procedure (since the code is general) and supports the claim and its appropriateness. So D7995's 'by report' requires documenting the specifics. Understanding this helps patients see that because a synthetic graft can vary widely (the material used, the site on the mandible/facial bones, the extent, and the purpose), the code is 'by report' (requiring documentation describing the specifics so the payer can understand and adjudicate it) — a proper report documenting the material (what synthetic graft material was used), the site (where on the mandible/facial bones it was placed), the purpose (why — the defect being reconstructed, the augmentation being done, the clinical indication), and the medical appropriateness (the justification, especially important for coverage, distinguishing reconstructive/medical from cosmetic) — payers often specifically noting that pertinent documentation to evaluate medical appropriateness should be included when this code is reported (reflecting that the code's use and coverage depend on the documented purpose), so thorough documentation defines the procedure (since the code is general) and supports the claim and its appropriateness.

Where D7995 fits in the codes

D7995 is among the graft/implant codes, and understanding this clarifies the coding.

Understanding where D7995 sits clarifies the coding. D7995 is among the later oral surgery codes (in the D7900s), specifically among the graft/implant codes for the jaw/facial bones: the bone grafts — osseous/osteoperiosteal/cartilage graft of the mandible or maxilla (D7950), and the sinus/ridge grafts (D7951-D7953); repair of maxillofacial defect (D7955); the craniofacial/zygomatic implants — surgical placement of a craniofacial implant, extra-oral (D7993), and a zygomatic implant (D7994); synthetic graft, mandible or facial bones, by report (D7995, this code); and implant, mandible for augmentation, excluding alveolar ridge, by report (D7996). So D7995 is the synthetic-graft option among these reconstructive/augmentation codes.

It's distinguished from the bone grafts (D7950, etc.) by using synthetic (not bone) material, and from D7996 (a mandibular augmentation implant excluding the alveolar ridge) — D7995 being a synthetic graft of the mandible or facial bones generally. The surgeon codes D7995 for placing a synthetic graft to augment/reconstruct the mandible/facial bones (vs a bone graft, or the specific implant codes). As a 'by report' code, it's documented per case. So D7995 is the synthetic graft among the reconstruction codes. Understanding this helps patients see that D7995 is among the later oral surgery codes (in the D7900s), specifically among the graft/implant codes for the jaw/facial bones — the bone grafts (osseous/osteoperiosteal/cartilage graft of the mandible or maxilla D7950, and the sinus/ridge grafts D7951-D7953), repair of maxillofacial defect (D7955), the craniofacial/zygomatic implants (surgical placement of a craniofacial implant, extra-oral D7993, and a zygomatic implant D7994), synthetic graft, mandible or facial bones, by report (D7995, this code), and implant, mandible for augmentation, excluding alveolar ridge, by report (D7996) — so D7995 is the synthetic-graft option among these reconstructive/augmentation codes, distinguished from the bone grafts (D7950, etc.) by using synthetic (not bone) material and from D7996 (a mandibular augmentation implant excluding the alveolar ridge) by being a synthetic graft of the mandible or facial bones generally, coded for placing a synthetic graft to augment/reconstruct the mandible/facial bones (vs a bone graft, or the specific implant codes) and documented per case as a 'by report' code.

Frequently asked questions

What is the D7995 dental code?

It's a synthetic graft of the mandible or facial bones, by report — placing a synthetic (artificial/alloplastic) graft material to augment, repair, or reconstruct the lower jaw or other facial bones. Unlike a bone graft (which uses bone), this uses a synthetic material. It's used for contour augmentation, reconstruction of a defect, or augmentation. 'By report' means it's documented individually.

How is it different from a bone graft?

A bone graft uses natural bone (the patient's own, harvested from a donor site, or donor bone) — coded with the bone-graft codes (e.g., D7950). A synthetic graft (D7995) uses an artificial, man-made (alloplastic) material instead. The synthetic option avoids harvesting the patient's own bone (no donor-site surgery); the bone option offers biological integration. The surgeon chooses based on the goal.

What is it used for?

Augmenting or reconstructing facial bone with synthetic material — e.g., contour augmentation (building up a deficient or asymmetric area for form/symmetry), reconstruction of a bony defect (from trauma, surgery, or a congenital deficiency), or augmentation of the mandible/facial bones. The purpose ranges from cosmetic contour enhancement to reconstruction of defects.

What does 'by report' mean here?

Because the material, the site, the extent, and the purpose vary, the code requires documentation describing the specifics — the synthetic material used, where it was placed, and why (the defect, augmentation, or indication). Payers note that documentation to evaluate medical appropriateness should be included, since the code's coverage depends on the documented purpose.

Is it covered by insurance?

It depends on the purpose. Reconstructive/medically necessary uses (reconstructing a defect from trauma, surgery, or a congenital condition) may be covered under medical benefits. Purely cosmetic augmentation typically isn't covered. As a 'by report' code, documentation of the purpose and medical appropriateness is important for evaluating coverage. Verify your specific coverage.

What does it cost?

Cost depends on the material, the site, the extent, and the purpose — typically in the mid-three-figure range and up, varying by case. As a 'by report' code, the specifics are documented. The synthetic material avoids a second (donor-site) surgery. Coverage depends on whether the purpose is reconstructive/medical or cosmetic. 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.