Dental Implants with Low Monthly Payments
When patients are facing tooth replacement there are several things to consider. One of the biggest considerations is cost. It is no secret, that dental work can be expensive and dental insurance plans all too often have limited coverage for tooth replacement. If you’re someone who needs tooth replacement and are worrying about the cost, you are not alone. The good news is that there are options for you! Read on to learn more about your options.
What are the costs of dental implants?
If you are missing teeth, it is important that you consider your options for replacement. The loss of teeth has many negative impacts on your life. These can include the loss of bone structure in your mouth, exposed gums which are more prone to infection, the loss of ability to chew properly leading to changes in eating habits, the change of your facial structure due to shifting teeth, and many more. One of the most popular tooth replacement options is dental implants.
Dental implants are prosthetics installed into your mouth that feel, function, and look just like natural teeth. These prosthetics are installed using a post, which is attached to your jawbone, and an implant which is affixed to the post. This allows for a tooth that stays in place without moving, which in turn solves the problems associated with tooth loss. If you need teeth replacement, this option is sure to be a good fit. The cost of dental implants can be prohibitive, however. The typical cost of dental implants averages between $1,500 and $3,000 per tooth. If you need additional procedures to prepare for the dental implants such as gum or jaw restoration, the cost can be even more.
What are my options if I can’t afford the dental implants?
Unfortunately, dental implants are typically not covered under dental insurance plans.
The good news is, that when someone requires dental implants, but can’t afford to pay for them out of pocket, there are options available. If you are someone who this applies to, it is important to explore all your options so that you can find the right fit for you and take full advantage of the benefits that come from dental implants. Here is a list of options you might consider.
- Financing: When someone requires dental implants but can’t afford, they can seek financing. Most dental practices offer information on how to seek out this financing to pay for the dental implants. These financing options usually have low monthly payments and can make the implants accessible to you. The downside of these financing options is that they are based on credit score. This means that you’ll need to have decent credit to qualify. If you have a qualifying credit score, you’ll be able to secure the financing and your low monthly payments. If your credit does not qualify, there are other options, however.
- Sub-Prime Lender Financing: Typically, if you don’t qualify for a financing option that are based on credit, patients often turn to sub-prime lender financing. Sub-prime lenders take a deeper look at a person’s credit history and don’t typically require the credit score of at least 640 that most credit-based financing options require. Sub-prime lenders will look more closely at income, employment history, and other factors that may impact someone’s credit risk and decide from there. Some of the downsides associated with sub-prime lenders are higher interest rates and origination fees. This can impact your ability to have a low monthly payment, but if you qualify it can ensure you get the dental implants you need.
- Personal Loans: Another option for patients who do not qualify for credit-based financing is personal loans through a lender. These can be either secured or unsecured. Secured loans require collateral from you such as a car or house, which may ultimately be leaned or repossessed if you become delinquent on your loan payments. Unsecured loans do not require collateral and if you become delinquent will be sent to collections. These types of loans can sometimes yield low monthly payments but are often challenging to get for patients who do not qualify for more traditional, credit-based financing. This is especially true for unsecured personal loans.
- Flexible Pay-Over-Time Plans: Sometimes, dental practices will partner with a third-party lender to offer its patients the option to secure low monthly payments made over time. The pay-over-time lenders look more closely at a patient’s credit risk by examining more than just their credit score. They then use this data to determine the monthly payments to be made over time by the patient. These plans usually require a down payment that is determined by the lender. Typically, the higher the down payment, the lower the monthly payment. They also use the data they gather to set the interest rate of the loan. This is a convenient option for patients who need to finance their dental implants.
What are my next steps?
If you know you need to replace one or multiple teeth, it’s important not to waste time. The sooner you replace the tooth the better and the less health impacts you’ll experience. It is important to explore all your options for tooth replacement and the costs associated with them. Dental implants are a superior option for your overall quality of life and health. They will ensure that you have a fully functional mouth. After you’ve talked to your dentist and determined your options, seek out the specific costs and compare it to what you can afford. If you think you may not be able to afford to pay for the dental implants out of pocket, there are options available. These include credit-based financing, sub-prime lender financing, personal loans, or flexible pay-over-time plans. Talk to your dentist to learn more about what they offer and consider the right plan for you based on your credit and how low the monthly payment can be. Once you have determined which financing option is best for you, work with the lender and your dentist to secure the payment and get your tooth replacement done.
