D7880 — Occlusal orthotic device, by report (TMJ/TMD)
D7880 is the occlusal orthotic, the bite appliance made to reposition or unload the joint, reported by narrative.
This is the most commonly reported of the 22 temporomandibular joint treatment codes, which is why it is the one people usually see on an estimate. The full account of the treatment is in our temporomandibular joint treatment guide.
Below: the conditions built into this particular code, a realistic fee range, what happens when it reaches an insurer, and a side-by-side comparison with the codes most often substituted for it.
The conditions built into D7880
Documentation — by report. A written narrative describing what was done and why no specific code applied has to accompany the claim. Submitted without one it is not assessed, it is simply returned.
D7880 against the codes beside it
D7881 — Occlusal orthotic device adjustment (TMJ/TMD): It is the specific code to use in preference to a by-report one.
D7877 — Arthroscopy: debridement (TMJ): It is the specific code to use in preference to a by-report one.
D7876 — Arthroscopy: discectomy (TMJ): It is the specific code to use in preference to a by-report one.
D7875 — Arthroscopy: synovectomy (TMJ): It is the specific code to use in preference to a by-report one.
D7880 sits in a group of 22 codes in total; the remainder are linked at the foot of this page. Because the wording of these codes is so close, substituting one for another is a routine cause of rejected claims and of unexpected balances. If D7880 is on your estimate, it is worth confirming that the detail it specifies matches what is actually planned.
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 D7880
What is D7880 on my dental bill?
Occlusal orthotic device, by report, tmj/tmd. It belongs to the oral and maxillofacial surgery section of the code set.
How much does D7880 cost?
Between $600–$1,800 in most practices — and that is the figure before any benefit is applied, not what you would pay at the desk.
Does dental insurance cover D7880?
Plans generally pay it as medical / dental — often excluded treatment, 0–50%, subject to whatever is left of your maximum for the year.
What is the difference between D7880 and D7881?
D7881 is occlusal orthotic device adjustment, TMJ/TMD: it is the specific code to use in preference to a by-report one. Nothing else separates them, which is exactly why a claim submitted under the wrong one of the two is such a common correction.
Also known as: TMJ, TMD, jaw joint pain, arthrocentesis, jaw clicking, occlusal orthotic.