You can get a loan for dental work through financing options like online personal loans and dental credit cards. Many lenders offer online applications with quick decisions, making it easier to cover both planned and unexpected dental expenses.
Whether you need a routine filling, root canal, or dental implants, dental costs can add up quickly. If paying out of pocket feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. According to the American Dental Association, 46% of Americans delay or skip dental care due to cost.¹
In this guide, we’ll compare common dental financing options to help you find the right solution for your budget and dental care needs.
Key Takeaways
- Loans for dental work include personal loans, dental credit cards, payment plans, or other financing options that help spread costs over time.
- Personal loans are often used for larger dental expenses because they offer fixed monthly payments, predictable repayment terms, and quick funding from some lenders.
- Credit cards, insurance, and dental discount plans may help reduce upfront costs, but coverage limits, interest rates, and repayment timelines should be compared carefully.
- Even with bad credit, some lenders offer financing options that consider factors beyond credit scores, including income, employment history, and soft credit prequalification.
Overview of Dental Loans and Dental Financing
Dental financing refers to loans, credit cards, in-house payment plans, or other healthcare financing programs that can help cover out-of-pocket expenses that aren’t covered by insurance.
A dental loan specifically is a type of unsecured personal loan offered by an online lender or traditional bank that allows you to pay it back in fixed monthly installments. If approved, you receive funds in a lump sum to then pay for your dental procedure.
Dental costs can vary widely depending on the type of treatment and can push total costs into the thousands of dollars.² For example, recent estimates show:
| Procedure | Cost Estimate |
| Routine Cleanings | $90 to $220 |
| Fillings | $150 to $400 |
| Root Canals | $700 to $1,600 |
| Crowns | $900 to $1,700 |
| Dental Implants (per tooth) | $3,000 to $6,000 |
These are estimated costs. Actual dental treatment estimates depend on the specific state and dental office.³
With costs like these, many patients look for payment options that can help make it more feasible for their financial situation.
Why Dental Financing Matters for Dental Care Costs and Dental Expenses
The cost of dental care doesn’t just affect how much you pay; it can also influence whether you decide to get treatment at all. If the cost is higher than you expected and you’re concerned about how you’ll pay, you might delay care or refuse it entirely.
When patients know they have payment options, they’re often more comfortable moving forward with recommended treatment.⁴ It can also make it easier to choose longer-lasting solutions instead of temporary fixes. For example, dental implants are one of the most effective solutions for missing teeth, but they can also be the most expensive. Financing options can help make those costs more manageable.
How Dental Practices Offer Financing
Financing isn’t always the same at every dental office, but many practices offer some form of payment support.
You may see options like:
- Payment plans discussed during treatment planning.
- Financing information listed on a practice’s website.
- Prequalification tools that let you explore options before committing.
Ideally, dental practices should make financing plans easy to understand and accessible throughout the experience. However, if your dentist doesn’t bring up financing, don’t be afraid to ask what payment options are available before treatment begins.
Dental Financing Options
The right financing option depends on your budget, credit profile, and how quickly you need treatment.
It helps to consider the following comparison criteria for each option:
- Interest Rates (APR) — How much you’ll pay to borrow money over time.
- Repayment Terms — How long you have to pay off the balance and what your monthly payments might look like.
- Approval Requirements — Whether you need good credit, a co-signer, or proof of income.
- Funding Speed — How quickly you can access the money—especially important for urgent dental care.
- Flexibility — Whether the option can be used for multiple procedures or providers.
Below are some of the most common ways you can cover dental expenses, along with how each option works and what to consider when comparing them.
Dental Loans and Personal Loans
Personal loans (or dental loans) are one of the most common financing options for dental care, especially for larger, unexpected costs, since they allow you to repay the balance over time with fixed monthly payments.
These loans are typically unsecured, meaning you don’t need to provide collateral. Instead, lenders evaluate factors like your income and credit history. If approved, you’ll receive a lump sum you can use to pay your dentist.
Depending on the lender:
- Loan amounts may range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
- APRs typically range from about 6% to 36%.
- Repayment terms can last from a few months to several years.
- Funding may be available as soon as the same day* or the next business day.
Credit Card and Dental Credit Cards
Credit cards are another common way to pay for dental work, especially for smaller or short-term expenses. Dental credit cards, in particular, are designed for this purpose.
One of the main advantages of credit cards is convenience. If you already have available credit, you can use it right away without applying for a new loan. Some cards also offer promotional 0% interest periods.
However, many dental or healthcare credit cards use deferred interest, which means if the balance isn’t paid in full by the end of the promotional period, interest may be added retroactively to the original amount.⁵
Other factors to consider:
- Standard credit card APRs can be relatively high after promotional periods end.
- Minimum payments may be low, but carrying a balance can increase total costs over time.
- Credit limits may not be high enough for larger procedures.
Credit cards can work well if you’re able to pay off the balance within a short period. For larger balances, you may want to consider a personal loan or another financing option with more consistent repayment terms and potentially lower long-term costs.
Dental Insurance Plans and Dental Discounts
Dental insurance and discount plans can help reduce out-of-pocket costs, but they don’t always cover the full price of care you’re responsible for.
Dental insurance often covers preventive services like cleanings and exams, along with a portion of basic and major procedures. However, most plans have annual coverage limits, meaning they only pay up to a certain amount each year. It’s also common to see waiting periods and restrictions for more expensive treatments.
Dental discount plans work differently. Instead of insurance, they are membership-based programs that offer reduced rates through a network of participating dentists. You pay a fee to join, then receive discounted pricing at the time of service. There are typically no claims, deductibles, or annual limits with this type of plan.⁶
Before choosing either option, it’s important to:
- Verify that your dentist is in-network.
- Review coverage limits or discount rates.
- Understand any waiting periods or exclusions.
While these options can help lower overall costs, they may not fully cover certain treatments, leading patients to combine them with other financing methods.
Financing for Dental Implants and High-Cost Procedures
Some dental procedures come with significantly higher costs, and dental implants are a common example. A single implant can cost several thousand dollars, and additional procedures like extractions, bone grafts, or crowns can bring the total even higher. Because of this, paying up front isn’t always realistic, so many patients turn to financing.
To help manage high-cost procedures, some patients use personal loans with fixed monthly payments, while others use credit cards for smaller portions of the cost. Some dental practices also offer staged-treatment financing plans that allow procedures to be completed in phases.
Options for Patients With Bad Credit
If you have less-than-perfect credit, you may still have options for dental work financing, as some lenders consider alternative data like income and employment history, rather than credit score alone.
Along with finding the right lender, you should also consider:
- Applying with a co-signer can improve your chances of approval and potentially help you qualify for better terms.
- Exploring secured loans, which require collateral but can offer more accessible approval options.
- Soft credit prequalification lets you check potential loan offers without impacting your credit score before submitting a full application.⁷
How CreditNinja Can Help
Unexpected dental bills can be stressful, especially when treatment can’t wait. If you’re exploring dental loans, it helps to compare lenders, funding times, and repayment terms before making a decision.
CreditNinja offers fast funding with installment loans that can help cover a variety of expenses, including dental procedures. Instead of paying the whole bill upfront, you receive a lump sum you can repay over time with set monthly payments.
FAQs About Dental Loans and Financing
How do you get a loan for dental work?
To get a loan for dental work, compare lenders, submit an application, review your loan offers, and choose the option that best fits your budget. If approved, you can use the funds to pay for your dental treatment. Some lenders also offer prequalification, which lets you explore potential loan offers without affecting your credit score.
Can you get a loan for dental work with bad credit?
Yes, some lenders offer loans for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit. These lenders may consider factors like income, employment history, or banking activity instead of relying only on your credit score. Options like co-signers, secured loans, or prequalification tools may also help improve your chances.
How fast can you get a dental loan?
Funding times vary by lender, but some offer same-day or next-day funding after approval. Applying online and completing your application accurately can help speed up the process.
CreditNinja’s Final Thoughts
Dental care is essential, but costs can make it difficult to move forward with treatment. Fortunately, there are several ways to make those costs more manageable, including personal loans, credit cards, insurance, and discount plans.
If you’re considering a loan for dental work, a personal loan may be worth considering because it provides a lump sum upfront and predictable monthly payments over time.
Taking the time to compare your options can help you find a solution that best fits your financial situation and allows you to move forward with care confidently.
Sources:
- Dental Care Statistics (2026) – Facts & Trends You Need to Know | Premier Image Dentistry
- Average Dental Costs in the US (2026) | wealthvieu
- Dental Costs by State (2026): Full U.S. Price Breakdown | The Dental Healers
- Patient Financing Options | American Dental Association
- Medical and Dental Credit Cards | Public Counsel
- What’s the difference between dental insurance and dental discount plans? | healthinsurance.org
- Hard Inquiry vs. Soft Inquiry: What’s the Difference? | Experian
