Easy Dental Life Hacks To Prevent Your Own Tooth Loss

If you have a missing tooth and want to get a dental implant, the cost can be a little intimidating. Dental implants are among the best tooth replacements, but they are also the most expensive. It is an extensive procedure that takes time, which is why they cost more than crowns and bridges. Here are some different ways to pay for your dental implants.

Ask About Payment Plans

The first thing you should do when you want dental implants is discuss the cost and payment options with your dentist. Many dentists are more than happy to work with you and offer payment plans. They may require a certain amount upfront as a deposit, and then a written agreement that states you will pay a specific amount to their dental office each month. This is often preferred over dental financing.

Apply for Financing

If your dentist doesn't offer their own payment plan, they might work with financing companies specifically for healthcare purposes. In order to be approved for financing, you will need to apply and most likely have good credit. The requirements for dental financing are usually similar to other types of loans and financing where you need to have good credit and show your ability to pay with stable employment. Interest rates vary with different financing companies so that is another thing to keep in mind.

Use Your Health Savings Account

Do you have a health savings account (HSA) with your employer where you contribute a percentage of each paycheck? If so, you can use that for dental work like implants. While you are paying full price for the dental implants with your HSA, it has the benefit of a tax break. Money you have transferred into the HSA is not taxed, which means you are still saving money by using it for dental implants.

Visit a Dental School

You can also ask local dental schools if they provide dental implants as part of their training. Dental schools need the students to work on real patients, so they often provide free or low-cost dental procedures in return. Some dental schools will also do dental implants, but not all of them will. Find out if there are schools in your area and whether or not they do dental implants. The students will be supervised the entire time by a trained dentist or oral surgeon, so you don't need to be concerned about that.