TMJ patients agonize over mounting medical bills: "It's a bottomless pit"

Treatments for temporomandibular joint disorders, known as TMJ, can fall into a "medical-dental divide," leaving patients with out-of-pocket bills that can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. A joint report from CBS News and KFF Health News sheds light on the financial burden TMJ patients face as some fall into a spiral of ineffective care and futile surgeries that do more harm than good.
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[@JJSo12345]

In the US, be warned: Most repair, therapeutic treatment,restoration or surgery is barely covered-even if youHAVE dental insurance. It’s absolute BS.

[@criticaloptimist]

Yup. It’s not covered by health or dental, and it’s so unfair. Dental insurance is really just a discount program anyway, but it should absolutely be covered as a health condition.

[@JJSo12345]

@@criticaloptimist Exactly. Dental care IS health care.

[@andreacook7431]

My chart is marked that I'm allergic to nickel, and it's been in my chart for TWENTY YEARS, and my dental insurance still counts my non-metallic fillings as "cosmetic"

[@JJSo12345]

@@andreacook7431 Jeez…such BS. Also BS is that teeth restoration and treatment that prevents the loss of teeth (like fillings) is often coded as optional or cosmetic. How can the loss of teeth not be a primarily a health issue?!?!? Chewing food is an essential and integral part of a healthy digestive system.

[@honhuaho5960]

This only happens in America. We have the worst health care system for medical coverage

[@7531monkey]

Thats incorrect. 1000% percent.

[@Naturefan354]

"This only happens in America" This has to be a joke right? 😂😂

[@wendypagonis1398]

I had TMJ, horrible paid. Consulted with a surgeon who estimated about $55k out of pocket to perform the procedure. I could not afford it and am so lucky because it made me wait. Eventually I was referred to an orthodontist who suggested something other than the TMJ surgery. Instead of cutting my skull one and resetting my jaw, he recommended a procedure to pull/push some of my teeth back into the gum. It's something they were already doing in Korea and I live in an area with many people from Korea. I went to a different orthodontist who recommended the same process instead of surgery. Anyone who is told surgery is the only way to address TMJ, keep looking.

[@danielgreen1557]

I have TMJ and I struggle with the popping, stiffness, and pain. I haven’t found a treatment that’s works but I will never do surgery. The best treatment, honestly, is to reduce stressors and reorient yourself to be more joyful. Being more happy reduced the stress on your jaw and may prevent you from clenching your teeth

[@ssquints8056]

my dentist told me to stop clenching my teeth. I did, and the pain went away, for free

[@calico097]

Chiropractor find a good one that has knowledge about tmj and adjusting. I had issues with my jaw locking when yawning I had to press at my jaw joint to get my jaw to close but something still was not right. I ended up going to chiropractor and had several adjustments and it has helped a lot I have not had my jaw lock while yawning.

[@brandygoodloe7798]

Reducing pain with opiates or klonopin has great results in tmjd

[@calico097]

@@brandygoodloe7798 chiropractor is natural and no opioid addiction. I had issues after yawning it was bad to where my jaw was not right and was stiff. I had a couple visits with a chiropractor and so far so good no issues.

[@sct4040]

How about a mouth guard?

[@aliamarieruns]

I'm 38 and have had this since I was 10. Only thing that works is stress management, botox and a ton of Tylenol.

[@sharonsolana]

Poor lady. There are not many great doctors and dentists out there. I pray she gets the help she needs.

[@angelarellano1496]

I had TMJ and daily pain for years. I’m writing this even if it helps one other person. What fixed mine was reducing stress and Botox by my jaw from my TMJ dentist. The pain went away. I still have to manage my stress. I hope anyone who is in pain from TMJ feels better. I know it can take over your life. Talking and smiling and everything is a struggle. Definitely consult with a medical professional to help you and I hope there will be better treatments that are affordable for people because it’s a living nightmare with TMJ.

[@maximilian9295]

I got se excited to see a video on tmj. Ive had it forever, and am in pain every day, all day. Doctors say thats dentists problem but no dentists can help, so theres no help. Its so painful, cant chew, cant open my mouth wide, ear pain, neck pain, locked jaw, but theres no help anywhere!

[@TheINFJChannel]

I empathize so much! The ear and jaw pain is craaaaazzzzzy. Nobody understands when I say "my face hurts" so I pretend everything is just fine. God it's depressing!!! Hang in there, okay? Every time your face hurts, think of some Sadie chick all the way in NH who's sharing sympathy pains.❤❤

[@user-es1qt2ib2p]

I have the same issues with my jaw I waited more then 3 months to see a Dr once I see I am on a waiting list he is so busy is not many drs who does this injections to release the presure that this cause so I'm praying after the injections it'll be ok😢 I feel for this lady and hope she find her answers and someone help her

[@Peg38542]

oh my gosh..........my heart goes out to this woman. I struggle with medical bills, but am not in pain currently. seeing this is really making me count my blessings. obvious point.......the healthcare industry.....and insurance..........such a mess.

[@Manganra7]

I have TMJ and have been using a mouth guard at night for over a decade. It’s been working for me, for the most part. But my mouth guard is considered “cosmetic” and not covered by insurance.

[@plz1277]

How’s about a law that states your HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, get this…PROVIDES UOU HEALTHCARE!!! If you have pain ANYWHERE in your body, that should be covered. No questions asked. Insurance companies get to pick and choose which part if your body is covered, just like they do when a region of the country experiences more insurance claims than others. They just stop insuring there. It should be illegal for a company to deny the patient care!

[@writerconsidered]

Yea the answer is scrap the entire insurance industry and have universal healthcare.

[@LA-rc7cw]

Ive lived with TMJ for the last 15 years, never would i put myself from these things. Suck it up and deal with the pain it's just the way it is. It's a daily issue

[@jeannietimberger2556]

This is nothing new it's been like this for years and years and years

[@TheINFJChannel]

I'm in that boat. TMJ specialists in my area are private pay. Every appointment, xray, massage, etc costs money. It leaves people, myself included, with a choice between crazy face, jaw, ear and neck pain or going broke to ease it. Unfortunately, I've stopped admitting my pain since nobody believes or sympathizes with "my face hurts".

[@mattp4079]

There is no surgery, no device to correct it. Talk to a dental surgeon, not a dentist.

[@savannah58]

This is sickening

[@andrewallen8703]

Go to physical therapy! Physical therapy is a covered, conservative treatment option ans yes we are trained in TMJ disorders. We will never cut you open and are never going to cost you thousands!! I can't believe no where in this piece was PT mentioned. Idk if its bad journalism or bad advocacy by the APTA.

[@carriefrazier1809]

That’s what I’ve been doing since my jaw starting clicking earlier this year- granted my stressors haven’t gone down and I’m not the best at doing my at-home exercises, but I’m seeing improvements at only $30 per visit (which I understand can add up for many people, but it’s still a cheaper option than surgery)

[@sethwatters99]

Why doesnt someone sue the insurance?

[@MsBrendalina]

Dental care is a racket. Its absurd that dental isn't lumped in with normal health insurance/care

[@susanhaertel294]

I have been in pain since 1986! And have had 14 surgeries....none worked!

[@MeowNow494]

I remember being accused of having TMJ in the 90s. Every insurance plan I had through every job I worked required the patient spend a certain amount of money out of pocket, or a certain amount of time I remember one specifically stating that I had to pay for my own treatments for 10 months before they would pay for anything After watching this segment I’m so glad that I was too poor to do anything about it. Now that I’m middle-aged it never bothers me at all so I wonder if I even had TMJ. If I remember correctly my complaints were with headaches, and I eventually got diagnosed with migraines having nothing to do with my jaw

[@miche568]

I got botox in my jaw muscle and it provided long term relief.

[@alexacarrillo4339]

Everyone’s TMJ is different and I am not recommending this to anybody but after thousands of dollars of orthodontics and then a specialist for my daughter I found people recommending masseter Botox for migraines(The TMJ is a migraine trigger). I have the same issues as my daughter but I got her treated over me but I was the guniea pig with the Botox. It worked and we both do it now.

[@calico097]

Chiropractor has done amazing for me and jaw issues must find a good one.

[@MrApw2011]

I had lock jaw. My jaw would pop and click all the time and I couldn't open my mouth al the way. One day, I forced my mouth open and the pop that resulted was audible, sounded like a gunshot in my head. The pain that followed was excruciating. However, once the throbbing stopped, I've never had TMJ again and I can open my mouth without obstruction. What if it's as simple as just getting the law to align again and you don't need surgery at all but just general anesthesia and a device to open the mouth up until the jaw pops back into joint (just a luddite's question)?

[@erich84502b]

I have that

[@teresaoconnell4790]

Get a good chiropractor. Try chiropractic first. They have saved me so much pain. Any clicking grinding or pain is because of misalignment

[@nereidgreen6653]

Patients instead Receive the care that is “best reimbursed” and once you open the jaw, “it is never the same”. Yeah, sounds like the story of our lives.

[@aavvcc]

Educate yourselves, folks. Do the research, and always try the non-irreversible treatment options first, e.g., physio, before even considering something like surgery or injections. Anyone pushing for invasive treatment or else just wants your money.

[@samyoung3592]

learn to live with it! I have...

[@Gabster1990]

That's good but chronic pain is a spectrum!

[@LA-rc7cw]

Same, i've been living with it for 15 years... have to suck it up and deal with stress levels and except it is what it is.

[@7531monkey]

Its not covered because its useless.