Dental Financing Options: How to Pay for Dental Work

Many people struggle to figure out how to pay for dental work. If you have dental insurance, it may pay for some of the procedures. But if you’ve reached your coverage cap, bills for either planned or emergency care can be quite significant. And approximately 27% of the U.S. population lacks dental coverage altogether, nearly three times the level of people without health insurance.¹

Dental financing options, including a fixed-rate personal loan, may provide the funds to help you get the care you need. Whether you’re insured or not, it’s helpful to know the financing options available. Keep reading to understand how you can plan for your dental expenses.

What is good dental care?

Good dental care generally involves brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and getting regular checkups with a dentist. If you’re prone to cavities, gum disease, or other oral health problems, you might need to see the dentist more often. And even if you do all you can to protect your teeth, you may still have dental needs and expenses.

Roughly two-thirds of American adults visited the dentist in 2024, according to the most recent report from the Delta Dental. One reason for this could be that cost barriers are more severe for dental services than other health care services. Even as dental care costs have risen, insurance annual maximums have stagnated. Some patients are looking for alternative ways to pay, while others wonder “how can I pay for dental work?". Still other risk skipping dental care altogether.

How much does dental insurance cover?

There are many different types of dental insurance available. Coverage differs depending on the insurance and your policy. You may be able to access coverage through your employer and, if so, should consult with your benefits counselor to choose which plan works best for you.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) Plans allow you to visit any dentist. You’ll typically pay less when you stay within the plan’s network. Most PPOs have an annual maximum that is covered, after which you pay out of pocket.

HMO / DHMO (Dental Health Maintenance Organization) Plans typically keep costs lower by requiring you to choose a primary dentist and stay within a limited network. HMOs often have fixed, predictable copays for basic procedures.

Indemnity Plans are flexible plans that let you visit any dentist without network rules and pay for a percentage of procedures performed. Most plans have a limit on the cost for procedures, called “usual, customary and reasonable” fees.

Dental Discount or Savings Plans are not insurance policies, but rather membership programs that offer reduced rates on dental work. You pay the dentist directly at the discounted rate, with no deductibles, waiting periods, or annual caps.

What dental work doesn’t insurance cover?

Cosmetic procedures may be classified as elective by most insurance policies, meaning they are not medically necessary. Because of this, insurers generally do not provide coverage for cosmetic treatments if they are done purely to improve appearance.

Aesthetic treatments that are often not covered by insurance:

Teeth whitening
Porcelain veneers
Composite (cosmetic) bonding (unless for tooth damage)
Cosmetic reshaping / contouring
Non-functional crowns done only for appearance
Invisalign/orthodontics purely for cosmetic reasons

Whether your insurance pays for only part of your necessary dental work or doesn’t pay for any elective work, there are ways to help you manage the costs.

How can you plan for dental expenses?

Many people have dental insurance to help cover the costs of dental expenses. Insurance can come from either an employer or directly through a private insurance carrier. Others might obtain coverage through government-supported programs.

Whether insurance covers part of your dental costs or you must pay out of pocket, it can be helpful to have a plan for oral healthcare expenses like dental emergencies.

Some dentists may be willing to assist by spreading costs out over time. Or you may want to ask your dentist if you can delay some procedures. If you can wait, you have extra time to plan. You might begin by putting money aside each month in a personal savings account to help pay for it.

You may also want to hold off on elective care for a new policy year if you have already reached your maximum coverage amount. Discuss with your dentist about what care can be postponed, though, as delaying regular care can negatively affect your oral health. And it can have unwelcome consequences for your overall health, general medical costs, and even your quality of life.

Some dental work might be more urgent, including fillings, extractions, root canals, and crowns. For these and other expenses, it’s good to plan how you might pay for the care.

How can you pay for dental work without insurance?

If you don’t have dental insurance or if your plan doesn’t fully cover the procedures you need, you have several options for dental financing.

Credit cards

You could use a credit card to pay for dental work. Keep in mind, though, if you take time to pay off your balance, you could end up paying more because of high interest rates. Paying more than the minimum amount due each month may help you lower the total amount of interest you’re charged.

Dentist financing

Some dental offices offer in-house payment plans or special financing for procedures that require multiple visits. Braces, for example, require regular checkups for adjustments and maintenance.

Health Savings Account

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a savings account that allows you to set aside money on a pre-tax basis for healthcare costs, including dental care. There are restrictions, however. Qualifying expenses may include procedures considered medically necessary.

Flexible Spending Account

Some employers offer a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), which also allows employees to set aside pre-tax money. For dental care, this can include anything that treats or prevents dental disease. Purely cosmetic procedures are not eligible for this coverage.

An emergency fund

If you have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses, you might consider using it to pay for dental costs. By tapping your savings, you may avoid taking on high-interest debt.

Dental loans

A personal loan offers funds for a wide array of uses, including dental, whether for planned or unexpected costs. In fact, 84% of surveyed customers told us their Discover® personal loan was simpler than their other financial options.* You may also save money on interest compared with other types of loans.

In addition, personal loans offer flexible repayment terms, a fixed interest rate, and one set regular monthly payment. With a Discover personal loan, for example, there are flexible repayment terms for all loan amounts — 36, 48, 60, 72, and 84 months. Also, there are no fees of any kind.

What are some ways to lower dental costs?

One of the best ways to keep your dental costs as low as possible is to take good care of your teeth. Preventative care and good hygiene practices at home can help you avoid emergency treatments and save you money in the long term.

If you do need professional care, there are several ways you might be able to save money on your dental expenses.

Visit a dental school

Dental schools often offer procedures at lower prices. This is to give students experience under the supervision of a licensed dentist. A dental school may be a particularly good option for preventive care, such as cleanings, X-rays, and root canals.

Research community health centers

Some community health centers offer access to healthcare for people without insurance. The National Association of Community Health Centers can help locate discounted dental services in your area.

Seek a second opinion

Before agreeing to a costly procedure, consider getting another opinion from a different dentist in your area. Getting a second opinion can help you confirm the diagnosis and that the quoted costs are typical for the procedure. You might also learn about other treatment options.

Explore the Children’s Health Insurance Program

For eligible children, the federally funded Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides low-cost health coverage, including dental care. This program has restrictions, however, so you will want to check its guidelines.

How can a personal loan for dental work help?

Even with good prevention, costly dental work can be a fact of life for many people. Dental expenses may be part of overall medical debt, which can be difficult for many people to pay back.

When faced with dental costs, a personal loan could be the right choice for you. Because it is flexible, you can use it for a range of dental expenses, whether planned dental procedures or unexpected emergencies.

Plus, it’s predictable. With a personal loan, you’ll know when your loan is due to be paid off. At Discover Personal Loans, you can design your loan around you.

Articles may contain information from third parties. The inclusion of such information does not imply an affiliation with the bank or bank sponsorship, endorsement, or verification regarding the third party or information.

The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as professional advice. Nothing contained in this article shall give rise to, or be construed to give rise to, any obligation or liability whatsoever on the part of Discover, a division of Capital One, N.A., or its affiliates.

* ABOUT SURVEY

All figures are from an online customer survey conducted in September and October 2025. A total of 461 Discover personal loan customers were interviewed about their most recent Discover personal loan with 332 of them using the funds to consolidate debt. All results @ a 95% confidence level. Respondents opened their personal loan between January and July 2025 for the purpose of consolidating debt. Agree includes respondents who ‘Somewhat Agree’ and ‘Strongly Agree’.