How to Pay for Dental Implants: Financing and Cheaper Options

We may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you. How we make money.

Prices checked October 22, 2026. By Lorenzo Beux.

Short answer: most people pay for implants with a mix of savings, insurance, a discount and a payment plan. First lower the price itself: a savings plan, dental school or second quote can cut hundreds or thousands of dollars. Then spread what is left. Read deferred-interest offers closely; the CFPB found a typical medical credit card APR of 26.99%.

Dental savings plans are not insurance. A plan gives you discounts only at participating dentists. It does not pay the dentist for you, and you pay for all services at the discounted rate. Prices, discounts and dentists vary by plan and ZIP code.

Compare dental savings plans and what you would pay

What you are trying to pay for

The implant post alone averages $3,075 in the US, according to Pearl’s ADA fee data. With the abutment and crown, one tooth usually costs $5,000 to $7,500. A fixed full arch averages $22,590 per arch. Full price details are in our dental implants cost guide and All-on-4 cost guide.

Your options at a glance

Option	Lowers the price?	Spreads the cost?	Main thing to watch
Dental savings plan	Yes	No	Only at participating dentists
Dental insurance	Partly	No	Yearly maximum and waiting periods
HSA or FSA	Yes, through tax savings	No	Account rules and limits
Dental school or health center	Often	No	Longer visits, limited spots
In-office payment plan	No	Yes	Short terms, down payment
Medical credit card	No	Yes	Deferred interest after the promo
Personal loan	No	Yes	Interest rate and fees

Gum Theory summary of the sources listed below, October 22, 2026.

Step 1: lower the price

Dental savings plans

A savings plan is a yearly membership that gives set discounts at participating dentists. There is no yearly maximum and no waiting period once it is active. Sample implant fees on DentalPlans.com:

Plan (yearly fee)	Implant post (D6010)	Implant crown (D6067)
Aetna Dental Access ($154.95 + $20 fee)	$2,348 → $1,531	$2,140 → $957
Aetna Vital Savings ($184.95 + $20 fee)	$2,200 → $1,412	$1,254 → $670
Careington Care 500 ($184.95 + $20 fee)	20% off	20% off

Source: DentalPlans.com sample general-dentist fees (usual → plan), ZIPs 77002 and 67570, checked October 22, 2026.

Compare plans in our best dental savings plans guide.

Dental insurance

When a plan covers implants, it usually pays 50% as major work. The yearly maximum limits that help. In the ADA’s figures, 32.8% of plans cap benefits at $1,000 to $1,500 and 48.2% at $1,500 to $2,500. Major work often has a 6 or 12 month waiting period. Some plans exclude implants entirely. See our dental insurance guide and no-waiting-period options.

Original Medicare does not cover dentures or implants. Read more about Medicare and dental care.

HSA and FSA money

The IRS counts dental treatment and artificial teeth as medical expenses. IRS Publication 969 says HSA distributions and FSA reimbursements used for qualified medical expenses are not taxed. So you pay with money that skipped income tax.

For 2025, the HSA limit was $4,300 for self-only coverage and $8,550 for family coverage. You need a high-deductible health plan to contribute to an HSA. Ask your account administrator before a large procedure.

Dental schools and health centers

HRSA says dental school clinics often charge reduced fees. Students treat patients under licensed supervision, and residency programs handle more complex cases. HRSA-supported health centers may also offer low-cost care, often priced by income. See our guide to free and low-cost dental care.

Quotes and cash prices

Get two or three written quotes with every code listed. Ask each office for its cash price and whether paying upfront lowers it.

Step 2: spread what is left

In-office payment plans

Many dental offices let you pay in installments, often with a down payment. Terms vary widely. Ask if there is interest, a fee, or a credit check. Get the schedule in writing.

Medical credit cards

These cards are offered at the dentist’s office and work only for health care. Many offer 0% interest for a promotional period, often 6 to 18 months. The catch is deferred interest.

If any balance remains when the promo ends, interest is charged back to the purchase date on the full original amount. The CFPB’s 2023 report found:

The typical medical credit card APR was 26.99%.
Patients paid about $1 billion in deferred interest from 2018 to 2020.
When deferred interest hit, it averaged about 23% of the original purchase.

If you use one, divide the balance by the promo months. Pay at least that much each month, not just the minimum.

Personal loans

A personal loan from a bank or credit union gives you a fixed rate and fixed payments. There is no surprise interest at the end. Your rate depends on your credit. Compare the APR, any origination fee and the total you will repay.

Worked example: a $4,488 implant

Take an implant post ($2,348) and implant crown ($2,140) at the sample usual fees for ZIP 77002. The total is $4,488, before the abutment.

Lower the price: with Aetna Dental Access, the same two items cost $1,531 + $957 = $2,488. Add $174.95 for the plan and fee: $2,662.95.
Use pre-tax money: pay part of it from an HSA or FSA if you have one.
Spread the rest: paying $2,662.95 over 12 months is about $222 a month.

Now compare putting the full $4,488 on a deferred-interest card and missing the payoff. Using the CFPB’s 23% figure, interest could add roughly $1,032. That would bring the cost to about $5,520.

Questions to ask before you sign

What is the total price, with every code listed?
Is the rate deferred interest or true 0%?
When does the promo end, and what is the APR after?
Are there fees for signing up or paying late?
Can I pay early without a penalty?
Does a savings plan or cash price lower the bill first?

Cheaper alternatives to an implant

If financing still feels tight, ask about other ways to fill the gap. A three-unit dental bridge averages $4,620. A partial denture averages $1,920, and a full denture averages $2,085 per arch. See our dentures cost guide.

When to see a dentist

Do not delay care for pain, swelling, bleeding gums or a loose tooth while you sort out payment. See a dentist first; many offices will help you plan the cost.

Frequently asked questions

Can I finance dental implants with bad credit?

It may be harder and pricier. Ask about in-office payment plans, and look at savings plans, dental schools and health centers, which lower the price without a credit check.

What is deferred interest?

It is interest that builds quietly during a promo. If you do not pay the full balance in time, it is all charged at once, back to the purchase date.

Can I use a savings plan and a payment plan together?

Often, yes. The savings plan sets a lower fee, and you can still pay that fee over time. Ask the office first.

Are dental implants tax deductible?

The IRS counts artificial teeth as a medical expense. You can deduct only the part of your total medical costs above 7.5% of adjusted gross income, and only if you itemize.

Does Medicare help pay for implants?

Original Medicare does not cover implants or dentures. Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental benefits, so check your plan’s limits.

Is it smarter to save up first?

If your dentist says waiting is safe, saving avoids interest. If not, lower the price first and borrow only the rest.

Dental savings plans are not insurance. They provide discounts at participating providers. You pay the provider directly at the time of service. Prices vary by provider and ZIP code. This page is for information only and is not dental or financial advice.