D7912 — Complicated suture — greater than 5 cm
D7912 is the complicated suture of a wound longer than 5 centimetres.
This is one of 24 closely related facial fracture treatment and wound repair codes. The treatment is explained in full in the facial fracture treatment and wound repair guide — this page is about what makes this particular code different.
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 specifics of D7912
Complexity — the "complicated" designation. It has to be earned in the written record: unusual anatomy, extensive tissue involvement, or the need for additional surgical access. Without that narrative the claim reverts to the simple code.
How D7912 differs from its neighbours
D7911 — Complicated suture — up to 5 cm: It is the same procedure specified for up to rather than for greater than.
D7910 — Suture of recent small wounds — up to 5 cm: It is the straightforward variant.
D7920 — Skin graft (oral/maxillofacial): It is the straightforward variant.
D7997 — Appliance removal (not by the dentist who placed it): It is the straightforward variant.
D7912 sits in a group of 24 codes in total; the remainder are linked at the foot of this page. Reviewers compare the narrative against the code rather than the other way round, so the question worth asking is what the notes will say.
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 D7912
What does dental code D7912 mean?
Complicated suture, greater than 5 cm. It belongs to the oral and maxillofacial surgery section of the code set.
Is D7912 expensive?
$700–$1,800 covers most of the country. Specialist practices and big-city addresses tend to sit in the upper half.
Will my plan pay for D7912?
Usually yes, as medical / oral surgery treatment at variable — but coverage turns on your own policy, its annual maximum and any waiting period.
What is the difference between D7912 and D7911?
D7911 is complicated suture, up to 5 cm: it is the same procedure specified for up to rather than for greater than. 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: jaw fracture, facial trauma, open reduction, closed reduction, maxillofacial injury.