Best Dental Financing Loans

Your teeth are important — and not just because you flash those pearly whites every time you smile. Maintaining your oral health is important to your overall health. Yet more than a quarter of Americans (27%) don’t have dental insurance, which can delay visits to the dentist and lead to costly bills. 

Whether you’re facing an emergency dental procedure, looking into cosmetic dental work, or wondering how you’ll afford braces for your kids, a dental loan may be worth considering. We’ll cover the pros and cons of dental financing, when to consider a loan for dental work, how to qualify, and when to seek alternatives. 

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What are dental loans and how do they work?

A dental loan is any type of financing used to cover out-of-pocket costs associated with dental care or dental procedures. Dental loans commonly include personal loans, financing offered through your dental office, medical credit cards, and regular credit cards. 

In this guide, we’ll focus on personal loans, which are installment loans that are quick and easy to apply for online. Personal loans provide a sum of cash you can use to pay for a variety of household expenses, including dental bills and procedures. They offer a predetermined repayment schedule with equal monthly payments that are easy to budget for, plus a lower average APR than a typical credit card. 

We’ll cover the pros and cons of personal loans for dental care, how to qualify, and when to consider other financing alternatives. 

Pros and cons of dental loans

There are benefits and drawbacks to using a personal loan to pay for dental work.

Pros

• Budget-friendly monthly payments: Personal loans offer repayment term lengths up to seven years, so you can spread repayment over many years if needed. Interest rates are typically fixed, so you can count on paying the same amount each month. 
• Flexible use of funds: Unlike financing through your dentist, which may be restricted to specific uses, you can use a personal loan for almost anything — including prescription medication, takeout, and covering a day’s lost wages. 
• Lower APRs than traditional credit cards: Taking out a personal loan may be cheaper than carrying a balance on your credit card. The average APR on a 2-year personal loan is 11.65%, compared to an average of 20.97% for credit cards, according to Federal Reserve data. 
• Quick funding: Personal loan lenders typically issue loan funds within a few business days directly into your bank account. You can often complete the application process online in less than 15 minutes. 

Cons

• Lower APRs may be available elsewhere: When financing a dental procedure, low-interest or no-interest promotional offers may be available to patients who can repay within a short timeframe. Secured options like a home equity line of credit also tend to carry lower APRs than personal loans, though you can lose your collateral if you don't repay the loan. 
• May be tough to qualify: It can be difficult to qualify for a favorable rate and term on a personal loan if you have bad credit or a low income. You may have better luck with medical financing or no-credit-check options such as a 401(k) loan or emergency withdrawal. 
• Potential upfront fees: Some personal loan lenders charge an origination fee, which is typically deducted from the loan proceeds to reduce the lender’s risk. 
• Adds to your debt: Taking out a personal loan to pay for dental care increases your overall debt balance. Look into dental insurance coverage, payment plans, and assistance programs before taking on additional debt. 

When to consider a dental loan

There are some situations when a dental loan makes a lot of sense and others when you may want to explore alternatives. 

When to consider

• To pay coinsurance / if you’ve maxed out your coverage: Even if you have dental insurance, many plans require you to cover 20% to 50% of procedure costs. Most also have an annual coverage cap — once you’ve reached it, you need to cover 100% of your dental care (minus preventative services) out of pocket.
• You don’t have access to lower or no-cost financing options: You should only consider a loan for dental work after you’ve considered other alternatives, such as no-interest dentist office payment plans. Just watch out for deferred interest promotions — if you don’t pay the entire bill before the promo period ends, you’ll owe interest on the original loan amount (even if you’ve already paid most of it off).
• You can’t otherwise afford a medically necessary procedure: Some dental procedures are critical and expensive, even if you have insurance. For example, “Root canals are often necessary to save a damaged tooth, but they can be expensive due to the complex nature of the procedure,” says Dr. Michael Wei, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist and owner of Manhattan Cosmetic Dentist. In this situation, a personal loan is worth considering.
• Delaying treatment will cost you: “Some dental procedures require immediate attention to prevent further complications and potential pain. For example, if a patient is experiencing severe tooth pain or has a dental infection, waiting to seek treatment could result in the condition worsening and requiring more extensive and costly procedures in the future,” says Dr. Wei. If waiting will make matters worse, a dental loan could actually save you money in the long run. 

When to avoid

• It’s a non-urgent or cosmetic procedure: If you’re looking to pay for teeth whitening, gum contouring, or another elective procedure, consider setting aside your income in a savings account instead of taking out a dental loan. 
• You’re eligible for assistance: Medicaid programs in 38 states plus D.C. offer dental coverage for adults, and all states are required to cover dental care for children. Before taking out a loan, check whether you’re eligible for Medicaid. You can also ask about local assistance programs. 
• Your dentist offers a payment plan: Your dental clinic or hospital may offer an interest-free payment plan that doesn’t require you to take on debt. 

How to get a loan for dental work

1. Check your credit score and evaluate your budget to determine how much you can qualify for and afford to repay.
2. Research lenders to narrow down your options.
3. Prequalify with a few different lenders to get an estimate of your APR and repayment term — this won’t impact your credit score.
4. Select a loan option with a low APR and a monthly payment you can afford, and continue with the formal application. A loan application typically involves a hard credit check that may impact your credit score.
5. Upload any documents the lender requests, such as proof of income, and submit your application.
6. If approved, review and sign your loan agreement to get your cash.

Tips on getting a dental loan with bad credit

Getting a personal loan for dental care with a bad credit score can be challenging, but there are a few things you can do to increase your approval odds. 

• Research bad-credit lenders: Consider online lenders like Avant, Reprise, and OneMain Financial, which offer bad credit personal loans, or local small banks or credit unions, which may offer small loans with no credit check. 
• Apply with a cosigner or co-applicant: Some credit unions and online lenders allow you to apply with a cosigner, who guarantees the loan in case you fail to repay, or a co-borrower, who guarantees the loan and has access to the loan funds. Applying with a friend or family member who has good or excellent credit can help you get approved for a dental loan or get a lower APR. 
• Consider a secured dental loan: Some lenders offer secured personal loans, which are backed by an asset such as your car. The lender can take the asset if you fail to repay, which reduces the lender's risk of issuing a loan and might help you qualify with a lower credit score. You can find secured personal loans for dental work from online lenders like OneMain Financial and credit unions like Freedom First. 

How dental loans affect your credit

There are a few ways a dental loan can impact your credit score:

• Applying for most loans requires a hard credit inquiry. This can cause a slight, temporary decline in your credit score, but for most people, the decrease is less than 5 points. 
• The new loan will also increase your existing debt, which could negatively impact your credit score initially. 
• It could add to your credit mix, which could positively impact your score. 

From there, the impact on your credit score depends on how you manage repayment. 

• Your score will improve with on-time payments.
• Late or missed payments may cause it to drop. 
• Making payments reduces the amount owed on your dental loan, which can increase your score.

Payment history is the most important factor in calculating your credit score, so make sure to keep up with monthly payments. 

How to compare dental loans

When researching loans for your dental procedure, consider the following factors:

• Loan amount: Make sure the lender offers the amount you need and doesn’t require a minimum borrowing amount that is too high. 
• Annual cost: Compare APRs between loan options. APR indicates the annual cost of the loan as a percentage of the loan amount, including the interest rate and any upfront fees. 
• Origination fee: Some lenders charge an origination fee, which may be deducted from the loan proceeds and reduces the amount you receive for your procedure. If you have good credit, look for dental loans with no origination fee.
• Repayment term, monthly payment, and total cost: Personal loan repayment terms typically range from one to seven years. The repayment term affects the monthly payment, which determines whether the loan fits your budget. But you should also consider the total cost of repayment over the life of the loan. 
• Funding time: If you need an emergency root canal or another urgent dental procedure, narrow down your options to same-day personal loans so you can get your cash fast. 
• Lender reputation: Check customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot, make sure the lender offers customer support options that meet your needs (live chat, phone, or in person), and check that the lender is licensed in your state. 

How much do common dental procedures cost?

Dental procedure costs vary by state, city, and dental provider. If you have dental insurance, the amount of coverage for each service and your copay or coinsurance will depend on the plan. The chart below shows the average nationwide cost of common dental procedures based on a 2023-2024 study conducted on behalf of CareCredit — expect costs to be higher now.

In most cases, procedure pricing isn’t set in stone. “Hospitals and dentists often have flexible pricing if you ask, but most people don’t think to negotiate medical costs like they would a car or a house,” says Bola Sokunbi, author/founder and CEO of Clever Girl Finance. Before applying for a dental loan, come to an agreement with your dental provider on a price that you can afford. 

Other ways to finance dental care

• Medicaid or dental insurance: If you’re not eligible for Medicaid and don’t have dental coverage through your employer, consider buying private dental insurance, choosing an ACA (Affordable Care Act) plan with dental coverage, or adding a separate dental plan during open enrollment on the marketplace. There’s typically a waiting period for most services, so this won’t be an option if you need emergency dental care. 
• Assistance programs: Ask your dentist or research local nonprofit assistance programs if you can’t afford medically necessary dental care. “Some dental practices, including ours, have established nonprofit initiatives to give back to the community. Through these programs, a select number of patients each year receive significantly discounted treatment,” says Deborah Israeli, co-founder and office manager at Sage Dental NJ. Dr. Wei also notes that local charitable organizations sometimes offer grants or other assistance.
• Dental discount programs: Dental discount programs offer savings on a wide range of services at in-network dentists in exchange for a membership fee, which is typically more affordable than an insurance premium. These programs can leave you with high out-of-pocket costs for expensive services, though.  
• HSA/FSA accounts: Health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts are tax-advantaged accounts you use to pay for medical expenses. If you contribute to one of these accounts, you can use the money to pay for dental care. 
• Medical credit card: A medical credit card is designed to be used for medical and wellness expenses such as dental care. Some medical credit cards, like CareCredit, offer the advantage of promotional financing on purchases above a spending threshold. These offers can be beneficial — but only if you can repay the full balance within the promotional period. However, medical credit cards are restrictive compared to personal loans.
• Dental clinic financing: Your dental provider may offer an interest-free payment plan (not a loan) or financing through a partner lender (which is a loan). You can prequalify to see if you’re eligible, but make sure to compare your dental clinic’s financing offer with a few personal loan lenders, and watch out for deferred interest financing.
• 0% APR credit card: If you have good credit, consider applying for a new credit card with a zero-interest promotional period (and check your existing cards for offers). For example, the U.S. Bank Shield Visa Card allows new cardholders to avoid interest on new purchases for up to 24 billing cycles, provided they keep up with the minimum payments. Just note that a credit card's standard APR goes into effect after the 0% APR offer expires. 

Methodology

Credible evaluated 32 lenders across 1,216 data points to find the best dental loans and rates for a wide range of credit and income profiles. Lender star ratings were established based on the following weighted categories:

• Rates and fees: 18.75%
• Eligibility and options for bad and no credit: 17.5%
• Availability: 12.5%
• Loan amounts and terms: 10%
• Customer satisfaction: 10%
• Customer service: 10%
• Efficiency and fund delivery: 10%
• Discounts: 7.5%
• Credible proprietary data: 3.75%

Credible's team of experts gathered information from each lender's website and from our partners directly. We also considered each of our partner lenders' statistics over a 12-month period — including average funding times, average credit scores for approved applicants, and average rates. Each data point is verified by a senior editor to make sure it's accurate at the time of publication.

Learn more about how Credible rates lenders by exploring our personal loans lender rating methodology.