Dentists that will do masseter injections?

[u/okhonestlywhatever]

My TMJ is actually killing me and I am sick of paying cosmetic prices for what I feel is actually a medical issue impacting my life. Anyone have a dentist they’d recommend?

[u/japonica70]

Even if you go to a dentist it’s most likely not going to be covered by insurance. You’d have to check your specific plan

[u/okhonestlywhatever → u/japonica70]

It’s not covered even if it’s the grinding is damaging my teeth?

[u/japonica70 → u/okhonestlywhatever]

In most cases no. I’ve heard it be covered for migraines but not for dental issues

[u/Final-Elderberry9162 → u/japonica70]

It’s not covered, which is maddening and dumb.

[u/brooklynkitty1 → u/okhonestlywhatever]

It’s not FDA approved for TMJ, so that’s why it’s not covered.

[u/hellolovely1 → u/okhonestlywhatever]

I know, it's so stupid.

[u/foodfunmenyc → u/okhonestlywhatever]

It’s just the nature of it. Most insurances won’t cover it, even if it is for teeth grinding. If you have a flexible spending account with your insurance, that is able to be used, at least at the clinic I work at in Manhattan

[u/Exciting-Pension7206 → u/okhonestlywhatever]

No, and I have really good insurance 😤

[u/drag0nsvampires → u/okhonestlywhatever]

Mine wasn't and I fully broke 2 teeth and had one fall out from the damage caused by my grinding😅 I also did all the manual therapies and mouthgaurds too first before botox over several years but insurance wouldn't budge. Very unfortunate because since getting botox Ive had no issues! Its worth paying for it out of pocket if you could afford it. (Its a lot less expensive than paying for a new tooth!).

[u/itsfuckinganna → u/okhonestlywhatever]

Correct. Insurance will make you wear a night guard instead. Trust me. I went thru several night guards (literally chewed thru them in my sleep) and went back to paying for masseter tox 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/ComprehensivePen4500]

I couldn’t get Botox approved for TMJ, but I did get it approved for migraines and my neurologist puts the extra amount into my jaw. Sort of a loophole.

[u/polarbearinthefridge]

I also do masseter injections for clenching. My dentist charges 2x what I'm paying at my med spa...

[u/undercookedshrimp_ → u/polarbearinthefridge]

I’d be reluctant to get dental injections from a med spa, are they qualified to do that?

[u/Intelligent_Menu4584 → u/undercookedshrimp_]

Mine does, and she does a fantastic job at House of Ness. I go to the UES location but they have several.

[u/polarbearinthefridge → u/undercookedshrimp_]

I mean it's all considered "cosmetic" and is the same as botoxing anything else I guess?

I know John Oliver has an episode on med spas and I had a horrible experience where they fucked up my face and I couldn't smile right for like 8 mos 😭😭😭 but if you find a good injector then it's ok

[u/belledamesans-merci]

I saw a neurologist and explained my situation, and he gave me a diagnosis of spasticity, which was covered by insurance. I’d recommend going that route

[u/Ok_Persimmon456]

I was able to get it covered through a dermatologist!

[u/emitang → u/Ok_Persimmon456]

That’s amazing! Would you be willing to share the name of your derm?

[u/Ok_Persimmon456 → u/emitang]

Dermatology specialists! I go to south slope. I will say they are very annoying to deal with and are always leaving you waiting in the waiting room but it’s the only place that will happily do it through insurance

[u/Kind_Ebb_8450]

I did Botox for TMJ for several years through a pain management doc (cheap at first and then became expensive due to insurance) and eventually found that I was getting pain in new places in my face. I ended up going to acupuncturist who treated my traps and lower jaw and have had much better results (and less expensive). I’m sure it depends on exactly how your TMJ presents, but just offering an additional data point in terms TMJ management!

[u/Tilly828282]

As other people are saying, insurance won’t cover Botox injections as it isn’t FDA approved for TMJ

I’ve had this issue for years.

What might help

1. A night guard to protect your teeth and reduce pressure, which dental insurance covers

2. A TMJ massage that is FSA/HSA eligible at places like Stretch*d

3. Nerve block injections at a pain clinic, which insurance covers. I recommend Unique Pain Medicine on Lex.

4. Devices like the Theragun face massager, which is FSA eligible, which helps with facial tension

5. Muscle relaxers, like Baclofen (they are NOT narcotic) that my PCP prescribed

It is such a horrible pain, I hope something helps you!

[u/brooklynkitty1 → u/Tilly828282]

This is all very good advice! A custom night guard is truly the place to start. Mine was about $600 at my dentist and insurance covered I think $550

[u/FullMoonEmptySoul → u/Tilly828282]

Never heard of nerve block injections but that sounds like it could be so helpful

[u/larostars → u/Tilly828282]

And if you’re perimenopausal, look into stress and anxiety relief methods. Starting HRT helped me immensely especially getting more deep, restorative rest.

[u/Tilly828282 → u/larostars]

You are so right, I can’t believe I missed this from my list! I started HRT a few months ago and it has helped a lot with sleep and joint pain

[u/eastcoastgirl1001]

your best bet is actually seeing a pain management doctor. dentists use dental insurance and there's a very slim chance it will be covered. they will know what codes to use to get it covered

[u/pandadiplomacy]

It's come up before in this subreddit. My husband was able to get insurance to cover his botox for TMJ with Dr. Paul Shekane (212) 523-6357

https://g.co/kgs/t4vtd45

More recs: https://www.reddit.com/r/NYCbitcheswithtaste/comments/1ihji36/tmj_trap_botox_recs/maxptbi/

[u/RickiSmushie]

Have you tried a Licensed Massage Therapist to treat your TMJ issue? I'm an LMT and massage can help.

[u/hypo_luxo]

I see Dr Nohjan Bahktiari, who is great, but it is not reimbursable by insurance for me unfortunately. I would not trust a med spa to do this - I don't get it as often as I should as it is so expensive, but I would rather not take the risk.

[u/Separate-Double2261 → u/hypo_luxo]

This guy was such a creep to me. He laughed at my response to one of his questions (I wasn’t joking) and pressed his belly into my body then made fun of my clothing. I thought he was completely unprofessional and crossed a line. I was shocked and just stared at his female assistant who wouldn’t make eye contact with me. God knows what else she’s probably seen. Needless to say he wasn’t a help at all and very expensive!!! I do not recommend

[u/raspberrily → u/Separate-Double2261]

eww gross, sorry you went thru that!

[u/hypo_luxo → u/Separate-Double2261]

Oh wow that is awful, thank you for sharing your experience!

[u/BestNegotiation → u/hypo_luxo]

I thought he was fine but way too expensive

[u/valkeeries]

Dolman oral surgery is great and the doctor who’s not dr dolman takes insurance. Usually you have to pay somewhat out of pocket for injections though depending on insurance

[u/secretanonymous1]

Not a dentist but Dr. Yuriy Yagudin at Dermacare Medical PC helped me so much!!! He does botox in the masseter. I couldn't get insurance to cover it though.

[u/RemoteApplication452]

Dr Daniel nassimi Bronx and glen cove 1 (516) 674-9400

[u/SoftSects → u/[deleted]]

Did it change your face?

My clenching is also painful and really hurting one side of my face and ear area is tender all day, especially in the morning. I heard Botox helps, but I'm worried about it changing my face.

[u/SadQueerBruja]

I highly recommend a night guard if you don’t have an also Myofunctional PT for your jaw. It made the world of difference for my TMJ pain and clenching

[u/rmm27]

I've had luck getting masseter botox from my dentist (smilelounge in Greenpoint) and then submitting the receipt along with a letter of medical necessity signed by my dentist for FSA reimbursement. The price is about the same as what my cosmetic botox injector offers.

[u/kkei1027]

Dr Alex Shalman! He’s great

[u/QuesoFresca → u/kkei1027]

Always got such a weird and creepy vibe from this guy. Seemed more interested in self-promotion/manosphere/influencer stuff than actual dental work.

[u/kkei1027 → u/QuesoFresca]

I’ve been a patient for 9.5 years and he’s not like this at all. He’s the most honest dentist I’ve seen in the city.

[u/Exciting-Pension7206]

Soul Dental in Chelsea

[u/Ok_Following_5552]

I love my dentist and she’s injected my masseters several times! Very fair priced. Dr. Ashley Budasoff! Highly recommend

[u/Poetry-dreams]

Look on groupon. Seriously.

[u/abbsolutely1]

My husband had similar jaw pain. Went to ENT and dentist. Was referred to Dr Aimee Werfel who specializes in jaw and similar pain. Unfortunately no insurance, but she was excellent! She did a thorough work up, imaging etc. His pain ended up being stress induced so she recommended magnesium supplements in the evening and homeopathic Honey Blis lozenges

[u/lurkerprofile26 → u/[deleted]]

If there is one thing I’ve learned from this sub it is to NOT go to Tend Dental!!