D5988 — Surgical splint
D5988 is the surgical splint that holds jaw segments in the planned position during and after surgery.
This is one of 14 closely related maxillofacial appliance codes. The treatment is explained in full in the maxillofacial appliance guide — this page is about what makes this particular code different.
The sections below cover the conditions built into the code, what it tends to cost, what a dental plan is likely to pay, and where the line falls between this code and the ones next to it.
Where the line falls between D5988 and the rest
D5987 — Commissure splint: It is the commissure splint that holds the corner of the mouth open while a burn or wound heals, so that scarring does not close it.
D5986 — Fluoride gel carrier: It is the custom tray that holds fluoride gel against the teeth, made for patients at very high decay risk after radiotherapy.
D5985 — Radiation cone locator: It is the cone locator that reproduces the same beam position at every radiotherapy appointment.
D5991 — Vesiculobullous disease medicament carrier: It is the carrier that holds medication against the tissue in blistering diseases of the mouth.
D5988 sits in a group of 14 codes in total; the remainder are linked at the foot of this page. If an estimate lists D5988 and the treatment that follows matches a neighbouring code instead, the office has to resubmit — which delays the payment rather than increasing it.
Every code in this group
These codes describe the same broad procedure and differ in one respect each. Each has its own page with its own fee range and coverage notes.
Questions about D5988
D5988 — what is it?
D5988 is shorthand for surgical splint — the same five characters every practice and every insurer in the country uses for it.
What is the typical fee for D5988?
Plan for $600–$1,800 as the full fee. Two practices a few miles apart can sit at opposite ends of that range for the same work.
How do dental plans handle D5988?
Usually yes, as medical / maxillofacial treatment at variable — but coverage turns on your own policy, its annual maximum and any waiting period.
What is the difference between D5988 and D5987?
D5987 is commissure splint: it is the commissure splint that holds the corner of the mouth open while a burn or wound heals, so that scarring does not close it. They share a section of the code set and very little else, so the comparison worth making is on what each involves rather than on which is cheaper.
Also known as: radiation carrier, fluoride tray, surgical stent, speech aid, feeding appliance.