Dental financing and dental loans: get treatment now, pay monthly

Toothaches do not wait for a better month, and dental insurance rarely covers the big jobs in full. Dental financing turns a treatment plan you cannot pay today into a fixed monthly payment, so you can say yes to the dentist now.

What is dental financing?

Dental financing is any way of paying for dental treatment over time instead of all at once. The three main options are an in-office payment plan, a medical or dental credit card and a dental loan, which is a personal installment loan used for dental costs. With a dental loan, the money is deposited into your bank account, you pay the dentist, and you repay the lender in equal monthly payments.

Dental loans work at any dental office, including specialists such as oral surgeons, endodontists and orthodontists, and they are not tied to a provider network. The APR and payment are fixed from the start, with no deferred interest. Lenders in our partners' network also consider borrowers with fair or bad credit, based on income.

How to get a dental loan online

1. Ask the dentist for a written treatment plan. It lists each procedure, its cost and what insurance is expected to pay.
2. Apply for your out-of-pocket amount. One short form with your income and checking account details.
3. Choose a monthly payment. Compare 6, 12 and 24 month offers before you sign.
4. Book the appointment and pay. The funds usually arrive the next business day, ready for the dentist's front desk.

What dental work costs

Typical U.S. ranges, not quotes. Your dentist's plan shows your real cost.

Dental payment plans with fixed monthly payments

For comparison at 36% APR. Your APR and term depend on the lender, your state and your profile.

Example

Root canal and crown: $1,800

$1,800Paid to the dentist→$180.83Per month×12Months

The tooth is saved this month, and the cost is spread over a year at a fixed payment.

Root canal payment plan

A root canal is often urgent: the pain or infection will not wait. A root canal payment plan can come from the dental office itself, but in-office plans are often short and may require a large deposit. A dental loan lets you pay the full amount upfront, which some offices discount, and spread the cost over six to twelve months. Front teeth cost less than molars, and you will usually need a crown afterwards, so ask for the total of both before you apply.

Dental implants financing with bad credit

Implants are the most expensive common procedure and are rarely covered in full. Dental implants financing with bad credit is possible with lenders that weigh income over score. Because implants are often done in stages over several months, you can borrow for the first stage now and the crown later, or borrow the full amount once you have a final plan. A longer term, such as 24 months, keeps the payment manageable on a $3,000 to $5,000 treatment.

Financing braces and clear aligners

Orthodontic treatment usually runs one to three years, and many orthodontists ask for a down payment followed by monthly payments. A dental loan can cover the down payment, or the full fee if the office gives a discount for paying upfront. Adults often have no orthodontic coverage at all, so financing is common. Ask whether retainers and follow-up visits are included in the quoted price before you borrow.

Dentures and partials

Full or partial dentures are a large one-time cost, often $1,000 to $4,000, and insurance may cover only part. A dental loan lets you get them now instead of waiting months, and a twelve or eighteen month term keeps the payment steady. Ask about relines and adjustments, which are often needed in the first year.

Emergency dental financing and emergency dental loans

A broken tooth, an abscess or severe pain needs treatment today. Emergency dental financing through an online loan can be decided within minutes and funded the next business day, sometimes the same day if you apply early on a weekday. Many emergency dentists will treat you first and take payment within a day or two if you tell them a loan is on the way. Emergency dental loans also cover after-hours fees, X-rays and prescriptions that come with an urgent visit.

Emergency dental with no insurance

Without insurance, an emergency dental visit and treatment can cost several hundred to a few thousand dollars. Ask the dentist for the cash price, which is often lower than the billed rate, and whether payment in full earns a discount. Dental schools and community health centers may offer reduced fees, though appointments can take longer to get. If you need treatment now, a dental loan covers the cost and lets you repay over months.

Cosmetic dental work

Veneers, bonding, whitening and gum contouring are usually not covered by insurance. A dental loan works for these too, because the money is yours to use at any provider. For larger smile makeovers, get a written plan with the cost per tooth and the total before you apply. For non-dental cosmetic procedures, see plastic surgery financing.

Dental financing for bad credit

Dental financing for bad credit is one of the most common requests we see. Many in-office financing programs and dental credit cards require fair or good credit. Lenders in our partners' network look at your income and bank account first, and many skip a hard pull with the big three bureaus. Dental loans for bad credit may carry a higher APR, so choose the shortest term with a comfortable payment. More on low-score approvals is on our bad credit loans page.

Dental financing options compared

Turned down for a dental credit card? See CareCredit alternatives.

Dental loans alongside insurance

Many dental plans pay a share of major work up to an annual maximum, often $1,000 to $2,000. Once that is used, the rest is yours. Ask the office to send a pre-treatment estimate to your insurer so you know your share before you borrow. If a big treatment plan crosses two calendar years, splitting it can use two years of benefits; the dentist can tell you whether that is safe for your tooth.

How to lower your dental bill

• Ask for the cash price and a discount for paying in full.
• Ask whether treatment can be phased so the most urgent work comes first.
• Request a pre-treatment estimate from your insurer.
• Check dental schools and community health centers for routine work.
• For children, check whether Medicaid or CHIP dental coverage applies.

What you need

• 18 or older with a U.S. address.
• A regular income from work or benefits.
• A checking account for the deposit.
• Photo ID, SSN, a mobile number and an email address.

How fast dental loans fund

Decisions often arrive in minutes. Most loans fund by the next business day after you sign, and some lenders fund the same day for early weekday approvals. For a scheduled treatment, apply a week ahead to compare offers calmly.

Dental financing for seniors

Original Medicare does not cover most routine dental care, such as cleanings, fillings, extractions and dentures, so many retirees pay out of pocket or through a Medicare Advantage plan with limited dental benefits. Social Security and pension income count with many lenders, which makes a dental loan with a fixed monthly payment a practical way to get dentures or implants without draining savings.

After you apply

Lenders in our partners' network review your request right away. If one can help, it shows you an offer with the amount, APR, monthly payment and total. Once you sign, the deposit is scheduled, and you can confirm the appointment with your dentist. If you would rather not proceed, close the offer; there is no fee.

Repaying your dental loan

The lender debits a fixed amount each month. Pick a date just after payday, and you can usually pay extra or pay off early to save interest. If the final bill comes in lower than the estimate, put the difference toward the balance. If you need more time on a payment after a procedure, call the lender before the due date and ask about a new date.

Dental loans by state

Dental loans follow your state's installment loan rules, so the maximum APR depends on where you live. New York caps licensed loans at 25% a year, Maine at 30% on the first $2,000, and Illinois at 36% APR on small loans. See the state rules table.

Other care financing

See medical loans for other health bills and plastic surgery financing for cosmetic work. For an urgent bill of any kind, see emergency loans, or start with payday loans online.