D7860 — Arthrotomy (TMJ)
D7860 opens the joint surgically in order to inspect and treat it directly.
There are 22 codes for temporomandibular joint treatment and they are not interchangeable. This page covers this one; the temporomandibular joint treatment guide covers the treatment they all share.
What the number specifies, what it costs, what your plan is likely to do with it, and the named differences between it and the codes around it — in that order.
The nearby codes and how they differ
D7858 — Joint reconstruction (TMJ): It rebuilds the joint, replacing damaged parts with grafts or prosthetic components.
D7856 — Myotomy (TMJ-related): It releases or divides a jaw muscle, for spasm or restriction rather than for disease inside the joint.
D7865 — Arthroplasty (TMJ): It reshapes the bony surfaces of the joint through an open approach.
D7854 — Synovectomy (TMJ): It removes the inflamed lining of the joint.
D7860 sits in a group of 22 codes in total; the remainder are linked at the foot of this page. The practical point: confirm which of these is going on the claim before treatment, not after. Corrections after submission mean a resubmission, a delay, and occasionally a fee you did not expect.
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 D7860
What procedure is D7860?
Arthrotomy, tmj. It belongs to the oral and maxillofacial surgery section of the code set.
Is D7860 expensive?
Between $2,000–$8,000 in most practices — and that is the figure before any benefit is applied, not what you would pay at the desk.
How do dental plans handle D7860?
Most plans include it under medical / dental — often excluded benefits, 0–50%. A pre-treatment estimate is the only way to know your own number in advance.
What is the difference between D7860 and D7858?
D7858 is joint reconstruction, TMJ: it rebuilds the joint, replacing damaged parts with grafts or prosthetic components. The two are neighbours by number rather than by treatment, so seeing both on a plan usually means both were genuinely planned.
Also known as: TMJ, TMD, jaw joint pain, arthrocentesis, jaw clicking, occlusal orthotic.