Best Dental Financing Loans of March 2025

Paying for dental care can be challenging, especially if you don’t get dental benefits through your employer or you need expensive procedures. For example, the average cost of a dental implant is $2,695, and insurance plans may cover only a portion, if any, of the procedure. But waiting to get care could have serious health consequences, including diabetes, oral cancer, and heart disease. 

Fortunately, there are dental financing options that can help you manage the cost of care, including personal loans, dental office payment plans, and dental discount plans. We’ll cover the costs of common dental procedures, how to compare dental loan options, and when to consider alternatives

Best dental loans

Methodology

Credible evaluated 31 personal loan lenders across 899 data points to determine the best dental loans. We scored lenders based on minimum and maximum APRs, available loan amounts, credit score requirements, income requirements, available repayment terms, available loan purposes, funding time, lender reputation and customer experience, origination fees, discounts, whether secured loans are available, whether cosigners are considered, and more.

Each data point was verified by a senior editor to make sure it was accurate and up to date. Criteria were assigned to the following categories and weighted to determine star ratings:

• Rates and fees: 18%
• Loan terms: 18%
• Customer experience: 17%
• Eligibility: 14%
• Customer satisfaction: 10%
• Efficiency: 10%
• Options for poor credit and no credit: 9%
• Discounts: 4%

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

How to compare dental loans

When comparing any type of loan for dental care, evaluate your options based on the following criteria:

• Eligibility requirements: Most lenders consider your credit score, income, and how much debt you have in deciding whether to lend you money, how much, and at what interest rate. If you have good credit, you probably won’t struggle to get approved for a loan. But if you have bad credit, that will limit your options. Consider lenders that offer bad credit loans or allow you to apply with a cosigner. Even if you have good credit, make sure to check each lender’s income requirements. 
• Loan amounts: Make sure the lender you choose offers the amount you need. Many lenders offer up to $50,000 or more, but some have minimum borrowing amounts that might be more than you need.
• Rates: Most lenders let you prequalify without hurting your credit (your score may drop slightly, however, when you apply). Prequalification allows you to compare APR estimates between lenders plus how much you’re likely to be approved for and repayment terms. The APR (annual percentage rate) expresses the annual cost of borrowing based on the interest rate and upfront fees. 
• Fees: Some lenders charge an upfront fee called an origination fee, which is typically deducted from the loan amount. This cost is accounted for in the loan’s APR, but will reduce how much you receive. 
• Repayment terms: If your monthly budget is tight, consider lenders that offer longer repayment terms. A longer repayment term typically results in lower monthly payments, but you’ll pay more over the life of the loan. 
• Funding time: If you need an emergency dental procedure, the speed of funding may be an important factor. Some lenders offer emergency loans with funding as soon as the same business day. 

What are dental loans and how do they work?

A “dental loan” refers to any financing option that helps you pay for dental care. One common type of dental loan is a personal loan, which typically provides a lump sum of cash upfront with fixed interest and fixed monthly payments. Personal loans offer some advantages over other types of dental financing. 

“One big advantage is predictability. You get a fixed interest rate and set monthly payments, which can be easier to budget for compared to a credit card with fluctuating interest,” says Bola Sokunbi, author/founder and CEO of Clever Girl Finance. Personal loans also have lower average interest rates than credit cards, according to the Federal Reserve.

The personal loan application process is typically easy and quick. The lender will check your credit and review your income and employment information. If you’re approved, you can typically receive the cash in your bank account within a few days. 

How much do common dental procedures cost?

A routine dental exam with dental cleaning and X-rays costs an average of $203, and most dental insurance plans cover preventive care. 

But many dental procedures can be costly, and dental insurance may provide limited coverage. 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. Additionally, “Procedures like teeth whitening, veneers, or bonding may not be covered by insurance as they are often considered elective or aesthetic,” says Dr. Wei. 

The chart below shows the average cost of common dental procedures, based on a national survey conducted by financial services company Synchrony on behalf of CareCredit.

Pros and cons of dental loans

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

When weighing the pros and cons of dental loans, it's important to prioritize your health. "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.

How to get a loan for dental work

You can get a personal loan from a bank, credit union, or online lender. Some dentist offices have partnerships with medical lenders as well. To qualify for a dental loan, you typically need:

• At least fair credit: Many lenders require at least fair credit to qualify for a personal loan and other types of funding. If you have bad credit, consider applying with a cosigner or with a co-applicant or getting a secured loan.
• Enough income to manage your debt: Some lenders have specific minimum income requirements, while others are more flexible. In any case, the lender will evaluate your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), which is the portion of your monthly income that you spend on your minimum debt payments. Many lenders prefer a DTI below 36%, but some consider DTIs up to 50%.

When applying for a dental loan, you’ll typically follow these steps:

1. Prequalify and compare options from multiple lenders.
2. Select the loan option that best meets your needs, aiming for a low APR and an affordable monthly payment.
3. Authorize a hard credit check to formally apply for the loan.
4. Supply any additional information that the lender requests and upload supporting documents that verify your income and identity.
5. If approved, review the terms, check your final APR, and sign your loan agreement to accept the loan offer.
6. Complete any additional forms and wait for the money to arrive in your bank account.

Tips on getting a dental loan with bad credit

• Research bad credit lenders: Some lenders specialize in working with borrowers with credit issues. For example, Upstart considers borrowers with bad credit and college students and graduates with no credit history. 
• Apply with a cosigner or co-borrower: A cosigner is someone with good credit who guarantees the loan in case you fail to repay. A co-borrower does the same but also has access to the loan funds. Either option can improve your chances of approval. 
• Look for secured loans: Backing the loan with a valuable asset like your home or vehicle as collateral may help you get approved because it lowers the lender’s risk of nonpayment. However, you could lose your collateral if you default.
• Improve your credit: If you can wait to borrow, take steps to improve your credit. Even a few extra points could save you hundreds of dollars. Pay down existing balances if possible, make on-time payments, and ask for a credit line increase on credit cards. You can also try a credit improvement tool like Experian Boost. 

Dental loan alternatives

• Private dental insurance: You can buy a standalone private dental plan at any time, though many dental insurance plans have waiting periods for some procedures. Still, planning ahead can help you save money. 
• Dental discount plans: Some dentist offices and dental discount network providers offer dental discount plans, which are paid annual memberships that can significantly reduce the cost of dental treatment. 
• Payment plans: You could get a low-cost payment plan directly through your dentist.
• Charitable grants: “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,” explains 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.
• Negotiating fees: “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 Sokunbi. 
• Dental schools: If you have a dental school in your area, you may be able to get reduced-cost dental services. Students are supervised but have not yet earned their dental license.
• Credit cards: If you can afford to pay off the expense quickly, you can use an existing credit card or apply for a new credit card with a 0% introductory APR. This could provide a break from interest for up to 21 months, depending on the card issuer, but the card’s regular APR applies after the introductory period ends. 

Read More:

• Best Medical Emergency Loans
• Best Personal Loans for Bad Credit and Low-Income
• How To Get Rid of Medical Debt
• How To Get a Low-Income Loan
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