Botox for TMJ: Exploring the Cost and Insurance Considerations
The popular anti-aging injectable, Botox, has emerged in recent years as an innovative and effective alternative for people seeking relief from muscle-related TMJ pain and dysfunction.
Are you tired of enduring chronic jaw pain, frequent headaches, or muscle cramps in your face and jaw area? If so, you may be one of the millions of individuals suffering from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
In this blog, we will break down why we at Restoration Dental see Botox as an effective therapy for TMJ pain, and how much you can expect these procedures to cost.
Understanding TMJ
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex hinge joint located on either side of your jaw, connecting the mandible to the temporal bone. This joint is crucial in your facial structure, responsible for essential functions such as talking, chewing, and yawning.
If your TMJ becomes misaligned or injured, this can result in TMJ disorder (TMD.) Symptoms include:
- Jaw pain
- Tension headaches
- Clicking sounds when opening and closing the mouth
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Limited jaw movement
How is TMJ Treated?
TMJ is typically caused by things such as trauma, muscular dysfunction, teeth grinding, joint dysfunction, or arthritis. Traditional treatments include stress management techniques, physical therapy, oral appliances, medication, and, in severe cases, surgery.
For patients who aren’t responding to traditional treatment methods, Botox is gaining popularity as a non-invasive treatment option.
Understanding Botox
Often associated with cosmetic enhancements, Botox is an injectable form of botulinum toxin type A – a neurotoxin protein that temporarily blocks specific muscle movements.
While it was popularized for smoothing wrinkles, the medical community has found Botox to be a useful tool in treating conditions such as chronic migraines and TMJ that are being exacerbated by overactive musculature. Administered by trained doctors, the injectable blocks nerve signals to the muscle, with treatments lasting a few months with few side effects.
Botox for TMJ Pain
Botox can be used by any trained doctor – including your dentist! In TMJ treatments, we inject Botox directly into the muscles used for chewing. As a result, this will reduce any jaw tension and spasms that may be causing TMD discomfort.
The Botox will begin blocking nerve signals in 1 to 4 days, with results lasting up to four months.
Insurance Coverage for Botox and TMJ
While Botox offers a promising solution for TMJ, the cost can be a deterrent for many patients. At this point, it is not covered by most insurance companies.
However, Botox is approved to be administered by all medical professionals. Our dentists at Restoration Dental can prescribe Botox off-label for TMJ.
The price for a single Botox treatment for TMJ ranges from $500 to $700. However, the total cost depends on factors such as the severity of symptoms and the type and number of injections required. More extensive treatments that require multiple units can rise to one or two thousand dollars.
Restoration Dentals Solution to Botox Costs
For patients concerned about the cost of their Botox treatments, Restoration Dental offers a great solution. Our Dental Membership program is a great alternative to dental insurance.
Your annual membership fee will cover routine treatments such as cleanings, screenings, and more. In addition, the membership plan provides a discount on any other treatments prescribed by your dentist – including Botox treatments for TMJ.
If you are experiencing TMJ pain, Botox is emerging as an effective and minimally invasive treatment option. While the cost can be a deterrent, our team at Restoration Dental is ready to help you find a solution so you can receive the treatment you deserve.
