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Published September 2026

1 of 5While braces are underway, some teeth get stuck under the gum and need a hand joining the row
  1. While braces are underway, some teeth get stuck under the gum and need a hand joining the row
  2. A small opening in the gum uncovers the stuck tooth
  3. A tiny pad is bonded to it, out of view under the gum
  4. A fine chain connects the pad up to the archwire above
  5. From here, gentle tension slowly walks it into place over the following months

Who usually does it

oral surgeon. The orthodontist refers to an oral surgeon or periodontist.

One question worth asking

Who does this part, and how does it fit into the braces timeline?

Uncovering a stuck tooth

Braces and alignersMajorD7280

D7280. The gum and bone over a tooth are opened so it can come in or be pulled into place.

Minor surgeries done during orthodontic treatment: uncovering a tooth stuck under the gum and attaching a bracket to pull it into place, placing a temporary anchor screw, or cutting the gum fibers around a tooth so it does not drift back.

These are short surgeries booked inside an orthodontic course: uncovering a tooth that is stuck under the gum and bonding a bracket and chain so it can be pulled into line, placing a small temporary screw in the bone as something to push against, or releasing the fibers around a tooth that keeps rotating back. A surgeon or periodontist does this part and the orthodontist carries on afterwards. Most plans file this as Major. What they actually pay varies by plan.

Codes for this

D7280MajorUncovering a stuck toothThe gum and bone over a tooth are opened so it can come in or be pulled into place.per tooth · Done sometimesD7282MajorLoosening a tooth to help it eruptThe tooth is gently loosened in its socket to encourage it to come in.per tooth · Rarely doneD7283MajorAttaching a bracket to a stuck toothA bracket and chain are bonded to an uncovered tooth so the orthodontist can guide it in; billed with D7280.per tooth · Done sometimesD7290MajorSurgically moving a toothThe tooth is repositioned in its socket during surgery.per tooth · Rarely doneD7291BasicCutting gum fibers to prevent relapseFibers around a rotated tooth are snipped so it does not twist back after braces.per tooth · Rarely doneD7292MajorTemporary anchor screw with a gum flapA small screw placed in the bone, through an opened gum, for braces to pull against.per site · Rarely doneD7293MajorTemporary anchor plate with a gum flapA small plate rather than a screw.per site · Rarely doneD7294MajorTemporary anchor screw without a flapThe screw is placed straight through the gum with no flap; the common version.per site · Done sometimes
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Part of these flowsFull braces or aligners, start to retainerOrthodontic check at seven and phase oneStuck (impacted) canine

Related

Uncovering a stuck tooth (D7280): what happens, step by step | TruthMolar