You’re wondering, will insurance cover Botox for TMJ ? , well the short answer is No, and the long answer is “very unlikely” read this article to see everything you need to learn about TMJ and health insurance.
Why Insurance May Not Cover Botox For TMJ
Botox injections are mostly aesthetic in nature, hence they are not covered by insurance. Botox is unlikely to be covered by insurance because it isn’t approved by the FDA as a TMJ treatment.
Insurance may cover Botox as a treatment if the TMJ is severe enough to produce migraines. Botox has been approved by the FDA to treat migraines.
Some insurance companies may compensate the user since it is a therapeutic treatment rather than an aesthetic treatment, Similar to sleep apnea treatments, if covered, it will be under the person’s medical insurance and not their dentistry insurance at this time. Some patients pay for it with their Flexible Spending Account.”
We all have a TMJ, which is a hinge joint that connects the mouth to the skull, but not everyone has TMJ problems, also known as TMD. TMD stands for temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Because of the pain, reduced range of motion, and locking of the joint, TMJ symptoms can radiate into the jaw, ear, cheek, or neck, making chewing difficult. When a person opens and closes their mouth, a clicking or grinding sound might be heard. Treatment is unlikely to be required if there is clicking but no discomfort or limitation in the joint.
Botox injections for TMJ
A bulging masseter muscle is a common TMJ symptom. The mandible (lower jawbone) is connected to the cheekbone by the masseter, which moves the temporomandibular joint. The masseter muscle becomes overdeveloped and bulges when people clench or grind their teeth for a long time, resulting in a squared-off jawline. Some people object to the aesthetics of this, but there’s more to it than that: once a muscle has developed a habit of overworking, it’s difficult to stop it.
Botox can help with TMJ by relaxing the masseter muscle, which can help break the cycle of clenching and grinding. Botox injections into the masseter aren’t particularly included on the Botox website for TMJ treatment, and Botox as a TMJ treatment isn’t approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Botox, on the other hand, is FDA-approved for relaxing facial muscles.
What is the Cost of Botox for TMJ?
Botox prices vary depending on a variety of factors, including where you live. 15-25 units of Botox per side are estimated to be used to alleviate muscle tension in the masseter.
Botox is charged by unit and varies by location, however usually costs between $10 and $20 per unit. TMJ commonly affects people on both sides, thus the cost of TMJ Botox is around $250-750. “On average, a person needs 20 units of botox on each side of the face, at a cost of about $12 a unit, total cost of these treatment sums up to around 480 dollars.”
How Long Does Botox in the Mouth Last?
Botox for TMK lasts 3-4 months, according to Dr. Peterson Pierre, a board-certified dermatologist in Southern California, but dental Botox can last up to six months, according to Capstone Dental in Clintonville, Ohio, though this number varies depending on a person’s metabolism and other lifestyle factors. A person may require fewer units of Botox with regular treatments, and the results may stay longer.
The variation occurs because temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ disorders) is an umbrella term that includes jaw joint noises, arthritis, and muscle discomfort in the jaw region,” notes Dr. Brijesh P. Chandwani, a board-certified Orofacial Pain specialist in New York and Connecticut (and sometimes Bruxism or teeth grinding). Botox for TMJ pain has mixed scientific backing, while it appears to work in certain TMJ sufferers. Self-care measures, muscle relaxants, and mouth guards give a more conservative treatment if TMJ pain or bruxism is not persistent (less than 3 months).”
