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Published September 2026

1 of 5A broken jaw is first set back into its normal position
  1. A broken jaw is first set back into its normal position
  2. One way holds it there by wiring the jaws together for a period
  3. The other way, open reduction, fixes the bone directly with small plates and screws
  4. Either way, the bone knits back together over the following weeks
  5. If plates were used, they are sometimes taken back out once healing is complete

Who usually does it

oral surgeon. Oral surgeon, almost always in a hospital.

One question worth asking

Will this go through my medical plan or my dental plan?

Setting a broken upper jaw without surgery, simple

Jaw and mouth surgeryMajorD7620

D7620. The upper jaw is set by wiring the teeth, no incision.

Setting a broken upper jaw, lower jaw, cheekbone or tooth socket. Open reduction means surgery with plates or wires; closed reduction sets the bone without cutting. Codes also cover removing the wires or plates afterwards.

Closed reduction sets the broken bone and holds it, often by wiring the jaws together for a period. Open reduction means the surgeon exposes the break and fixes it with plates and screws. Codes cover which bone is broken, which method is used, and taking the hardware out afterwards. This is hospital work, and the hospital bills its own charges. Most plans file this as Major. What they actually pay varies by plan.

Codes for this

D5988MajorSurgical splint for a broken jawA custom splint that holds the teeth and jaw steady while a break heals.per visit · Rarely doneD7610MajorSurgically setting a broken upper jaw, simpleOpen surgery for an upper jaw break with no open wound, teeth wired together.per visit · Rarely doneD7620MajorSetting a broken upper jaw without surgery, simpleThe upper jaw is set by wiring the teeth, no incision.per visit · Rarely doneD7630MajorSurgically setting a broken lower jaw, simpleOpen surgery for a lower jaw break, usually with plates.per visit · Rarely doneD7640MajorSetting a broken lower jaw without surgery, simpleThe lower jaw is set by wiring the teeth, no incision.per visit · Rarely doneD7650MajorSurgically setting a broken cheekbone, simpleOpen surgery for a cheekbone break.per visit · Rarely doneD7660MajorSetting a broken cheekbone without surgery, simpleThe cheekbone is repositioned without an incision.per visit · Rarely doneD7670MajorStabilizing a broken tooth socket without surgeryThe bone around the teeth is splinted, no incision.per visit · Rarely doneD7671MajorSurgically stabilizing a broken tooth socketOpen surgery to fix the bone around the teeth.per visit · Rarely doneD7680MajorComplex facial fracture repairSeveral facial bones set through more than one approach.per visit · Rarely doneD7710MajorSurgically setting an open upper jaw fractureThe break is exposed through a wound; open surgery.per visit · Rarely doneD7720MajorSetting an open upper jaw fracture without surgeryThe break is exposed through a wound but set without further cutting.per visit · Rarely doneD7730MajorSurgically setting an open lower jaw fractureThe break is exposed through a wound; open surgery.per visit · Rarely doneD7740MajorSetting an open lower jaw fracture without surgeryThe break is exposed through a wound but set without further cutting.per visit · Rarely doneD7750MajorSurgically setting an open cheekbone fractureThe break is exposed through a wound; open surgery.per visit · Rarely doneD7760MajorSetting an open cheekbone fracture without surgeryThe break is exposed through a wound but set without further cutting.per visit · Rarely doneD7770MajorSurgically stabilizing an open tooth socket fractureThe break is exposed through a wound; open surgery.per visit · Rarely doneD7771MajorStabilizing an open tooth socket fracture without surgeryThe break is exposed through a wound but set without further cutting.per visit · Rarely doneD7780MajorComplex open facial fracture repairSeveral facial bones exposed through wounds and set together.per visit · Rarely doneD7997BasicRemoving jaw wires or platesTakes out the fixation hardware once the bone has healed.per visit · Rarely doneD7998MajorPlacing a jaw-fixation device, not for a fractureWires or a device placed to hold the jaw for a reason other than a break.per visit · Rarely done
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Related

Setting a broken upper jaw without surgery, simple (D7620): what happens, step by step | TruthMolar