For years, I struggled with teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Whether I was stressed, focused at my computer or even sleeping, I’d catch myself clenching my jaw so tightly that I’d wake up with soreness. Two years ago, I tried masseter botox to relieve my symptoms, and it helped tremendously. But after some time, I noticed my tension returning. I decided to get the treatment again, this time at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City. There, I spoke with David Shafer, MD, FACS, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, about how botox works and to learn if medical botox is covered by insurance.
Turns out, botox isn’t just for smoothing fine lines—it’s also FDA-approved to treat a variety of medical conditions. Some of which, including migraines and an overactive bladder (OAB), are covered by insurance plans. Here’s everything you need to know about Botox beyond aesthetics, plus my experience getting masseter Botox for bruxism.
What is Botox?
Botox (onabotulinumtoxina) is a neurotoxin that temporarily relaxes muscles by blocking nerve signals, preventing them from contracting as forcefully. While most people know it as a wrinkle-reducing treatment, Botox has a range of medical uses as well.
“So Botox is one of these things that every day we’re finding new uses for,” says Dr. Shafer. “The underlying chemistry of it is that it helps block the signal between the nerve and the target tissue, which is generally the muscle. But we’ve also found that it works on sweat glands and oil glands as well.”
How masseter Botox can ease jaw pain
The masseter muscles are large muscles on the sides of the jaw that help with chewing and clenching. If you place your fingers on your jaw and bite down, you’ll feel them contract, notes Dr. Shafer. When they’re overworked—due to stress, teeth grinding (bruxism) or clenching—symptoms like jaw pain, headaches and even temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can occur.
“Some people may not even realize they’re grinding their teeth, but their dentist might notice wear and tear,” Dr. Shafer explains. “What we’re doing with the Botox is weakening the muscle—not paralyzing it, but just weakening it—so that you’re not putting all that tension on the TMJ joint or your teeth. It really just helps relax everything.”
Beyond pain relief, masseter botox can slim the face by reducing the size of the muscle over time. “There’s a secondary benefit that it can give a little slimming effect,” Dr. Shafer adds.
My experience getting masseter Botox
When I arrived at Shafer Clinic, I sat down with Dr. Shafer in one of their treatment rooms. He explained everything about the procedure, including how botox works and what I could expect. Since I had received masseter botox before, I knew the relief it could provide, but I was still eager to ask questions.
The procedure itself was quick and painless, taking less than five minutes. Dr. Shafer marked three injection points on each side of my jaw and used a tiny needle to administer the botox as I bit down. He gave me some gauze to hold on the injection sites in case of bleeding, though I barely did. “Masseter botox is a very quick and relatively pain-free procedure,” he says. “It’s just three tiny little points on each side, and it’s the smallest needle that fluid will go through. There’s really nothing to be scared about.”
Afterward, I received an ice pack for soreness, aftercare instructions (no strenuous exercise or lying down for at least a few hours) and sent on my way. Within a week, I started to feel my jaw tension ease up and I no longer found myself clenching. The best part? The effects typically last three to five months. However, Dr. Shafer notes that treatment duration varies by patient and has to be customized. “Some people may need more over time, while others may be able to stretch out their treatments longer as their muscles weaken,” he adds.
Is Botox covered by insurance? 4 reasons it can be
Beyond masseter botox, Dr. Shafer highlights several medical conditions that botox can help treat. In some cases, insurance may cover the cost of Botox.
1. Chronic migraines
Botox is FDA-approved to prevent chronic migraines in people who experience 15 or more headache days per month. The treatment involves multiple small injections around the head and neck every 12 weeks.
2. Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
For those who sweat excessively, even with strong antiperspirants, botox can be injected into the underarms, palms, feet or forehead to block the nerves that trigger sweat production.
3. Overactive bladder
Botox can also help relax the bladder muscles in people with overactive bladder, reducing urinary urgency and frequency.
4. TMJ disorders and jaw pain
As I experienced firsthand, botox can help relieve jaw tension and pain caused by TMJ disorders and bruxism.
Dr. Shafer emphasizes that insurance coverage for medical botox is hit or miss. “It depends on your policy, your symptoms and your documentation,” he explains. “Oftentimes, you need to see a specialist—someone who diagnoses the condition, not the person injecting the botox—to help with insurance approval.”
If your insurance doesn’t cover Botox for medical needs or your out-of-pocket costs are too high, consider applying for assistance programs such as the Botox Savings Program. This program helps reimburse patients for out-of-pocket costs related to FDA-approved Botox treatments. Insured, eligible patients who meet the requirements may pay as little as $0 for their Botox treatments.
How much does Botox cost?
Botox prices typically depend on the number of units you get. Costs can vary based on location and provider. “Prices can range from $8 to $30 per unit,” Dr. Shafer notes.
Importantly, what you pay for is what you get. Dr. Shafer advises against “shopping by the price” or not choosing a skilled, qualified injector. He gave me an example of a home cook and Michelin-starred chef preparing dishes using the same ingredients.
Since I received my treatment in exchange for editorial coverage, I didn’t pay out of pocket. But for those considering it, it’s important to factor in the costs, especially for medical botox, which may require repeat treatments.
The bottom line on Botox covered by insurance
Botox is more than just a beauty treatment, it has a range of medical uses that can provide significant relief from pain and discomfort. My experience with masseter botox at Shafer Clinic has been nothing but positive, and I’m grateful for the relief it provided. If you’re struggling with migraines, excessive sweating, jaw pain or bladder issues, it’s worth discussing with a doctor to see if botox could be right for you and whether it can be covered by insurance.
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.