D7870 — Arthrocentesis (TMJ)
D7870 flushes the joint with fluid through a needle, which can release a locked joint without any incision.
This is one of 22 closely related temporomandibular joint treatment codes. The treatment is explained in full in the temporomandibular joint treatment guide — this page is about what makes this particular code different.
The rest of this page deals with the specifics: the requirements written into the code, the usual range of fees, the typical benefit outcome, and how to tell it apart from its closest relatives.
D7870 compared with its closest relatives
D7871 — Non-arthroscopic lysis and lavage (TMJ): It flushes and frees the joint through needles without an arthroscope, breaking down adhesions as it goes.
D7872 — Arthroscopy — diagnosis, with or without biopsy (TMJ): It puts a camera into the joint to see, and if necessary biopsy, what is happening inside it.
D7873 — Arthroscopy: lavage and lysis of adhesions (TMJ): It washes the joint out and frees adhesions under arthroscopic vision.
D7874 — Arthroscopy: disc repositioning and stabilization (TMJ): It repositions the joint disc and stabilises it arthroscopically.
D7870 sits in a group of 22 codes in total; the remainder are linked at the foot of this page. None of these are interchangeable, even though they sound as though they might be. Checking that the code on your estimate is the one that matches the planned treatment takes a minute and prevents most billing surprises.
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 D7870
What is D7870 on my dental bill?
Read literally, D7870 means arthrocentesis, TMJ — and payers do read it literally.
What is the typical fee for D7870?
The usual range is $800–$2,200. Anything well outside it is worth a question rather than an assumption.
Is D7870 a covered benefit?
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 D7870 and D7871?
D7871 is non-arthroscopic lysis and lavage, TMJ: it flushes and frees the joint through needles without an arthroscope, breaking down adhesions as it goes. They are different operations that happen to sit next to each other in the code set, so one is not an alternative way of billing the other.
Also known as: TMJ, TMD, jaw joint pain, arthrocentesis, jaw clicking, occlusal orthotic.