D7872 — Arthroscopy — diagnosis, with or without biopsy (TMJ)
D7872 puts a camera into the joint to see, and if necessary biopsy, what is happening inside it.
It is one of 22 codes covering temporomandibular joint treatment. For the procedure itself rather than the code, see the temporomandibular joint treatment guide; for the code, read on.
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.
The nearby codes and how they differ
D7871 — Non-arthroscopic lysis and lavage (TMJ): It flushes and frees the joint through needles without an arthroscope, breaking down adhesions as it goes.
D7873 — Arthroscopy: lavage and lysis of adhesions (TMJ): It washes the joint out and frees adhesions under arthroscopic vision.
D7870 — Arthrocentesis (TMJ): It flushes the joint with fluid through a needle, which can release a locked joint without any incision.
D7874 — Arthroscopy: disc repositioning and stabilization (TMJ): It repositions the joint disc and stabilises it arthroscopically.
D7872 sits in a group of 22 codes in total; the remainder are linked at the foot of this page. Two of these codes on one estimate is not necessarily an error, but it is always worth asking what each line is for.
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 D7872
What does dental code D7872 mean?
Read literally, D7872 means arthroscopy, diagnosis, with or without biopsy, TMJ — and payers do read it literally.
How much does D7872 cost?
$2,000–$8,000 is the realistic range before benefits. Your own share depends on your plan's percentage, deductible and remaining annual maximum.
Does dental insurance cover D7872?
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 D7872 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. 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.