Is BOTOX covered by my Insurance?

Is BOTOX covered by Insurance? That is a question that constantly comes up at our dental office, and the answer is always the same; it might be…

Tempo mandibular disorder (TMD) – The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the name of the joint located on either side of your head, just in front of your ears. These joints connect your mandible (jawbone) to your temporal bone (skull). The TMJ, which can rotate and move forward, backward and side to side, is considered one of the most complex joints in the body. This joint, in combination with other muscles and ligaments, lets you chew, swallow, speak and yawn. When you have a problem with the muscle, bone or other tissue in the area in and around the TMJ, you may have a TMD.

Signs or symptoms of TMDs include pain and tenderness in or around the ear, the jaw joint, or the muscles of the jaw, face or temples. Other symptoms are problems opening or closing your mouth, and a clicking, popping, crunching or grinding noise when you chew, yawn or open your mouth. TMDs may be linked with neck pain and headaches. If you have any of these symptoms, tell your dentist and your doctor.

Tension or Migraine headaches – often a symptom of TMD, patients frequently suffer from these types of headaches and do not realize what is causing the discomfort, or what options there are for treatment.

BOTOX administered by a Dentist to treat TMD or Tension/Migraine headaches is often covered by Dental Benefit Plans. Sometimes the exact same treatment administered by a Physician/MD/Cosmetic Surgeon would not be covered because treatment then does not fall under the scope of the patient’s dental benefits.

BOTOX is becoming recognized as one of the most effective treatments for TMD and related headaches. It is often used with good results once other treatment options have been explored (corrective appliances and guards, restorative treatment, full mouth reconstruction, etc).

Additionally, injection points for treatment of TMD or Headaches are very similar to the injection points for cosmetic BOTOX treatment (alleviation of wrinkles, etc.), so there will likely be a cosmetic benefit from BOTOX treatment of TMD/Headaches.

If you are suffering from TMD or Headaches, BOTOX may be a treatment to consider to alleviate these painful and poorly understood conditions.

Please contact City Oasis Dental for an examination.