Oral Surgery

TRICARE covers the following oral surgery procedures and treatments. These may be performed by physicians or dentists, but they’re considered medical care rather than dental care.

• Excision of tumors and cysts of the jaws, cheeks, lips, tongue, and roof and floor of the mouth, when such conditions require a pathological (histological) examination
• Surgical procedures required to correct accidental injuries of the jaws, cheeks, lips, tongue, and roof and floor of the mouth
• Treatment of oral cancer
• Treatment of facial cancer
• Treatment of fractures of facial bones
• External (extraoral) incision and drainage of cellulitis
• Surgery of accessory sinuses, salivary glands, or ducts
• Surgical treatment of the temporal bone and the lower bone of the jaw
• Surgical treatment of the temporomandibular joint for the following:
• • Osteoarthritis
  • Trauma
  • Congenital causes
  • Ankylosis
  • Tumors
  • Dislocations
• Surgical correction of prognathism and micrognathism and congenital craniofacial anomalies (includes Treacher Collins syndrome, hemifacial microsomia, etc.)
• Oral surgical procedures for treatment of the following medical conditions:
• • Osteomyelitis
  • Removal of a foreign body that is hazardous to the patient’s health, which is reaction-producing or complicates a primary medical condition
  • Intrinsic and traumatic diseases of the temporomandibular joint, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, that require surgery

TRICARE doesn’t cover:

• Treatment of temporomandibular joint syndrome, also known as myofascial pain syndrome, occlusal equilibration, and restorative occlusal rehabilitation
• Extraction of unerupted, partially erupted, malposed, or impacted teeth, with or without the attached development tissues, except when the care is indicated in preparation for, or as a result of, dental trauma caused by the medically necessaryTo be medically necessary means it is appropriate, reasonable, and adequate for your condition. treatment of an injury or illness
• Vestibuloplasty or surgical preparation of the mouth for dentures
• Mandibular staple implants because their primary purpose is to prepare the mouth for dentures