How to Make Dental Implant Treatment Affordable in 2025

Last updated on April 2nd, 2025 at 12:08 am

Marcus Hines: Author

Certain patient finance companies will extend as much as $75,000 to $100,000 with repayment terms extended as far out as 12 years. Since large implant procedures can cost as much as $20,000 – $60,000, lengthy repayment terms can make treatment affordability. A high credit score can land you an interest rate as low as 5.9%.

• Proceed Finance
• LightStream
• LendingClub
• Alphaeon
• CareCredit

The onetime flat fee of between 3% to 6% that you’ll be charged to access to interest-free funds is a small price to pay given its invaluable healthcare purpose. But before you open a new account, first check your established credit cards promotions. It could be that at least one of your credit cards is offering a 0% APR promotional rate.

In the event that you are not able to repay the portion of your implant treatment — charged to your credit card — by the end of your interest-free promotion period, consider transferring the remaining balance to another creditor that offer a low interest rate until you can clear your balance.

Use of an FSA includes deductibles, copayments, and other health-related expenses not covered by insurance. The money deducted for an FSA comes from your earnings, before taxes are taken out. Since an FSA reduces the amount of payroll taxes from your check, it is a smart benefit.

An HSA works similarly to an FSA, with added advantages. Different from an FSA, any unused funs contributed to an HSA will rollover entirely each year. This allows your contributions to accumulate and grow year-over-year.

In my recent HSA article I explain in depth how this savings strategy will allow you to deposit pre-tax dollars into a dedicated account which may be used for qualified medical and dental expenses.

• Loan Limits: Typically, you can borrow up to 50% of your vested account balance, up to a maximum of $50,000. Therefore, if you have at least $100,000 in your retirement fund, you can borrow up to $50,000.
• Repayment: Loans must generally be repaid within five years, with interest. The interest you pay goes back into your retirement account, not to a lender. And since your payments are usually automatically established as a payroll deduction, you don’t have to think about scheduling your payments.
• No Tax Penalties: Since this is a loan, and not a withdrawal, there are no taxes or penalties as long as the loan is repaid on schedule.
• Immediate Access to Funds: This option provides a quick way to access funds without selling investments, which can be beneficial in a volatile market.

• Age Consideration: After age 59½, withdrawals can be made without penalties, although they will be subject to regular income tax.
• Hardship Withdrawals: Some retirement plans allow for “hardship withdrawals” for immediate and heavy financial needs, which include medical expenses. However, these are subject to taxes and a 10% penalty if under 59½.
• Rule of 55: If you leave your job in or after the year you turn 55, you may be able to take penalty-free withdrawals, though income taxes still apply.

She made her implant treatment affordable by leveraging a $30,000 withdrawal from her husband’s 401(k) plan. Because her husband is 60 years old, there were no penalties.

Consider Asking Family to Help with Your Dental Implant Costs

Calling on family members to assist in helping with the cost of dental implant treatment is quite common. Perhaps there is a favorite aunt or uncle who is in a financial position to support you. Your retired parents may be seeking opportunities to gift funds from a retirement account or face a penalty. This is known as a Required Minimum Distributions (RMD).

Your children don’t have to be rich in order to come together on you behalf. Consider Ronald’s story. His children came together to make his implant procedure financially possible. They formulated a plan and divided the costs among themselves.

If you have children and/or other family members who want nothing less than good health for you, it may be a good idea to show them how they can help you.

Ideal approaches for communicating your requests include the following steps:

• Locate a creditable dental implant surgeon and schedule an appointment.
• Have a complete examination performed.
• Take good notes on the reasons why dental implants are recommended for you.
• Ask good follow up questions — visit our Question to Ask Your Implant Provider page for ideas.
• Get clear on the disadvantages of dentures and prepare to explain to family why this is not your preference.
• Disclose your financial resources, no matter how small, so you can demonstrate your commitment to pay what you can.

The costs of dental implant treatment does not have to be insurmountable. Most dental implant recipients are not rich, but when necessary, they become resourceful and even creative to make their treatment affordable. Dental implants can be life changing. Consider all financial resources responsibly and reclaim your health and confidence in your smile.

1. NerdWallet, 13 Best Low Interest Credit Cards of June 2024. Accessed 06/20/2024
2. IRS, IRS: 2024 Flexible Spending Arrangement contribution limit rises by $150. Accessed 6/20/2024
3. SHRM, IRS Gives Big Boost to HSA, HDHP Limits in 2024. Accessed 6/20/2024
4. IRS, Considering a Loan From Your 401(k) plan? Accessed 9/26/2024
5. Fidelity, HSA Contribution Limits and Eligibility Rules for 2024 and 2025, 8/29, 2024
6. IRS, Retirement Topics – Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), 12/10/2024
7. CFPB, What you Should Know About Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC), Accessed 1/20/2025