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Last updated on December 25th, 2024 at 05:46 pm
Satisfying the cost of dental implants can require a thoughtful process, especially if multiple implants are required. We have done the thinking for you here. There are several ways that patients typically go about paying for their dental implant procedures. In this section we will outline a few options for you to consider that can make your dental implant treatment more affordable and immediately accessible.
Dental and Medical Treatment Financing Companies
There are multiple lenders in the dental and medical space who will extend credit for your dental implant procedure. Repayment terms can be extended over several years.
Some of the more common patient financing companies include:
When it comes to more expensive full mouth dental implant procedures – prices as high as $21,000 – $60,000 – Proceed Finance is among the most attractive options.
Proceed Finance will lend up to $75,000 and allow borrowers up to 12 years to repay the balance. And with interest rates as low as 5.99%, a Proceed Finance loan can make paying for your dental implant procedure very affordable.
You can read Winston’s dental implant story to learn how he benefited from a Proceed Finance loan to make his dental implant treatment affordable.
Most patient financing institutions will allow for pre-approval of credit with a soft credit check. With a soft credit check, your credit score will not be affected. For more details on the top healthcare financing companies visit our Best Healthcare Financing Companies page.
0% Interest Credit Cards Can Make Implant Treatment Affordable
Zero- and low-interest credit card promotions are worth considering when it comes to making your dental implant procedure affordable.
Using this option to finance all or a part of your dental implant procedure can save you a lot of money in interest charges. At the same time a no- or low-interest credit card may allow you to make the cost of your implant treatment affordable.
Frequently credit card companies will allow you to use their promotional rates for 12 to 21 months, interest free.
Usually, you can expect to pay a onetime flat fee of anywhere between 3 to 5% on the total amount charged to your card. But there will be no interest charges throughout the promotional period.
First, check out offers from credit card(s) that you have previously established. One of your credit cards may be offering a 0% APR promotional rate.
If so, you can take advantage of that established credit card’s no-interest promotional rate without the need to apply and open a new credit card.
If you need to open a new credit card account to take advantage of a 0% to low interest promotional rate, NerdWallet is a great resource to find credit card companies currently offer promotional interest rates.
In the event that you are not able to repay the balance of your implant treatment – charged to your credit card – by the end of your interest rate promotional period, consider transferring the remaining balance to another creditor that offer a lower interest rate until you can clear your balance.
Use a FSA in 2025 to Offset Dental Implant Costs
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a special account funded by an employee’s pre-tax earnings. An FSA is specifically designed to pay for certain out-of-pocket health care costs like dental implants. In 2025, an employee may choose to contribute up to $3,300 to an FSA.
This 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 that come out of your check, this is a great benefit.
It is important to note that FSA funds must be used in the same calendar year that your contributions are made. Otherwise, any unused FSA funds will be forfeited since they cannot rollover into the coming year.
Equally important, since contributions are automatically withheld from your paycheck and deposited into your FSA account, this helps you to budget for expenses like dental implant treatment.
Budgeting steps like this can really help to make your dental implant treatment affordable.
Manage the Cost of Implants Through an HSA in 2025
We are a very big fan of leveraging a Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for the purpose of paying for dental implant procedures. An HSA works similarly to an FSA, with added advantages.
An HSA lets you deposit pre-tax dollars into a dedicated account to pay for qualified medical and dental expenses. This setup also reduces your taxable income, saving you money on taxes.
In 2025, the maximum allowable HSA contribution is $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families. These accounts allow people with High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) to save for medical expenses that insurance will not cover, including dental implants.
Different from an FSA, any unused contributed to an HSA will roll over each year. Also, an HSA is capable of earning interest and the gains are tax-free, providing a potential growth benefit.
If you are planning ahead for your dental implant procedure, an HSA can be a major benefit since you can actually accumulate several thousand dollars over the course of a few years and use these pre-tax dollars to fund your treatment.
Consider Karen’s dental implant story and how she used $20,000 from her HSA plan to help her pay for a portion of her implant procedure.
It is advisable to speak with your HR department for specific details on what having an HSA plan would mean for you.
How a HELOC Can Make Implants an Immediate Possibility
A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is a type of loan that allows homeowners to borrow against the equity they have built up in their home. Equity is the difference between the value of the home and any outstanding mortgage balance.
A HELOC works much like a credit card: it provides a revolving line of credit, meaning you can borrow up to a certain limit, pay it back, and then borrow again. Major purchases like a full mouth dental implant procedure could be a very good reason to leverage the power of a HELOC.
Advantages of using a HELOC for dental implant treatment includes flexibility in borrowing and repayment, lower interest rates, potential tax deductions, and large credit limits.
The flexibility to borrow as needed, makes this a practical option for expenses that may not have a fixed cost at the outset.
While a HELOC can offer convenient and cost-effective financing, it’s crucial to remember that your home secures the loan.
Therefore, failure to repay the loan can put your home at risk of foreclosure. It is always important to consider your repayment capacity before opting for a HELOC.
Borrowing From a Retirement Fund to Assist with Implant Costs
When facing a significant expense like a full mouth dental implant procedure, which can cost as much as $21,000 – $60,000, consider borrowing from your retirement fund. Depending on your oral condition, tapping into a 401(k) or 403(b) for a loan may be a very wise choice.
Borrowing from a retirement fund includes a few favorable conditions:
- 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.
It is important to understand that failure to repay a 401(k) loan within the allotted period could lead to taxes and penalties. Never borrow more than you can afford to repay.
Withdrawing From a Retirement Fund at Age 59 1/2+
Many individuals who are candidates for dental implants do not realize that they may be in a great position to withdraw funds from their retirement accounts without penalty. Several people routinely take advantage of this option to pay for needed dental care. Here are a few requirements to consider:
- 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.
As long as you are at least 59½, this option can make it possible for you to immediately receive your needed dental implant procedure, without penalty. Consider Cheryl’s dental implant story.
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.
Given that this option will ultimately reduce your retirement savings, it is advisable to speak with a certified financial planner before choosing this option.
Consider Asking Family for Help with Dental Implant Treatment Costs
Calling on family members to assist in covering the cost of dental implant treatment is quite common. Your children don’t have to be rich in order to come together on you behalf.
If your children have good jobs and businesses that allow them to make personal sacrifices, asking for financial support in the efforts to restore your health may be a great idea.
Consider Ronald’s story that we shared. 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; message us if you need help finding an implant surgeon where you are.
- Have a complete examination performed.
- Take good notes on the reasons why dental implants are recommended for you.
- Request two dental implant treatment plan options that vary in pricing.
- Ask good follow up questions — visit our Question to Ask Your Implant Provider page for ideas.
- Get clear on the disadvantages of the less expensive denture option so that you can explain why this is not your preference.
- List out the financial resources (no matter how small), so you can demonstrate how you are willing to help offset the cost.
You should begin the process of discussing your recommended implant treatment with a family member who has credible influence over other family members. Ask for their help with communicating your request to other family members. Do not be overly concerned with having your request denied. It’s free to ask!
Summary
Depending on how many missing teeth your dental implant procedure will need to replace, the cost of your procedure can require budgeting for a major expense. The costs of treatment does not have to be insurmountable.
Most dental implant recipients are not rich or wealthy. What is common among implant patients — particularly when several missing teeth are being replaced and the cost of treatment is as much as $21,000 or more — they are willing to get creative. Implant patients consider multiple resources that will make receiving implant treatment affordable.
Whether it’s applying for a loan through a dental finance company, establishing a health savings account or using a home equity line of credit, making your dental implant procedure affordable often requires exhaust several options.
Dental implants can be life changing. Don’t give up on your desire to receive a life changing procedure without, first, overturning every rock. Consider all financial resources responsibly and reclaim your health and your smile.
Sources
- NerdWallet 13 Best Low Interest Credit Cards of June 2024. Accessed 06/20/2024
- IRS. IRS: 2024 Flexible Spending Arrangement contribution limit rises by $150. Accessed 6/20/2024
- SHRM. IRS Gives Big Boost to HSA, HDHP Limits in 2024. Accessed 6/20/2024
- IRS. Considering a Loan From Your 401(k) plan? Accessed 9/26/2024
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